Abstract Detail

Poster Session

Haight, John-Erich [1], Laursen, G. A. [1], Glaeser, J. [2], Taylor, D. Lee [1].

Phylogeny of Fomitopsis pinicola: A Species Complex.

Fungal species with a broad distribution may exhibit considerable genetic variation over their geographic ranges. This variation may develop among populations based on geographic isolation, lack of migration and genetic drift over time, though this genetic variation may not always be evident when examining phenotypic characters. Fomitopsis pinicola is an abundant saprotrophic fungus found on decaying logs throughout temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Phylogenetic studies have addressed the relationship of F. pinicola to other wood-rotting fungi, but species boundaries within F. pinicola have not been addressed using molecular data. While forms found growing on hardwood and softwood hosts exhibit variation in habit and appearance, it remains to be determined whether these forms are genetically distinct. In this study, we generated DNA sequences of the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS), Elongation Factor 1A (EF1A), and RNA polymerase II subunit (RPB2) from 220 collections from across all major geographic regions where this fungus occurs, with a primary focus on North America. We utilized Bayesian and maximum likelihood analyses and evaluated the gene trees within the species tree using coalescent methods to elucidate evolutionarily independent lineages. We find that F. pinicola sensu lato encompasses four well-supported, congruent clades: a European clade, a southwestern U.S. clade, and two sympatric northern North American clades. Each of these clades represents distinct species according to phylogenetic and population-genetic species concepts. Morphological data currently available for F. pinicola do not delimit these clades. Fomitopsis pinicola, described originally from Europe, appears to be restricted to Eurasia. Based on DNA data obtained from an isotype, one well-defined and widespread clade found only in North America represents the recently described Fomitopsis ochracea. The remaining two North American clades represent previously undescribed species. The amount of diversity shown in North America is quite interesting given that F. pinicola is thought of as a host-generalist saprotrophic fungus with a broad distribution.  

1 - University of Alaska Fairbanks, Institute of Arctic Biology, 902 N. Koyukuk Dr., P.O. Box 757000, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA
2 - USDA-Forest Service, Northern Research Station, One Gifford Pinchot Dr., Madison, WI, 53726, USA

Keywords:
Bayesian
maximum likelihood
phylogenetic species.

Presentation Type: Offered Paper - Poster
Session: P3
Location: Lincoln Room/Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center
Date: Monday, June 9th, 2014
Time: 8:15 PM
Number: P3012
Abstract ID:52
Candidate for Awards:None