Molecular techniques revolutionize knowledge of basidiomycete evolution

Abstract

A brief survey towards an understanding of evolution of Basidiomycota in the last five decades is given. Between 1960-1990 studies were based mainly on morphology, subcellular structure, biochemistry, physiology and ecology. In the last 20 years, molecular methods have revolutionized the study of taxonomy, systematics, phylogeny, biogeography, population and microevolutionary processes in basidiomycetes. A fundamental improvement in the understanding of evolution of basidiomycetes has been achieved. It is anticipated that numerous new taxa at different taxonomic levels will be recognized based on integrated approaches, and new data will soon provide fascinating insights into the origin, evolution and biogeography of basidiomycetes in the coming years.

Characterization of Ectomycorrhizal species through molecular biology tools and morphotyping

“…A set of new techniques has been developed for the identification of microorganisms in environmental samples and, although their use at a fungal ecology level is still at an early stage, these techniques have revolutionized studies and have the potential to promote understanding of ECM fungal communities in the field of bacterial ecology (Anderson and Cairney, 2004;Yang, 2011;Kõljalg and Grebenc, 2013). …”

A review on research advances, issues, and perspectives of morels

“…Recent rapid developments in DNA-sequencing techniques and phylogenetic analysis have enabled mycologists to overcome difficulties in fungal taxonomy and systematics and elucidate the morphological, ecological, and functional evolution of fungi (Koufopanou et al 1997; Geiser et al 1998; Yang 2011, 2013). Development of Genealogical Concordance Phylogenetic Species Recognition (GCPSR) (Taylor et al 2000) provided a consensus criterion for resolving species relationships among fungi, including those of morels (Dettman et al 2003; Revankar and Sutton 2010; Taşkın et al 2010, 2012; O’Donnell et al 2011; Du et al 2012a; Zeng et al 2013; Elliott et al 2014; Pildain et al 2014; Voitk et al 2014).…”

A review on the diversity, phylogeography and population genetics ofAmanitamushrooms

“…Over the last two decades, about 220 new taxa (new species, new varieties and new forms) in Amanita have been reported from all over the world, especially in East Asia, Central and South America, South Africa and Australia. While many of these were due to the analyses of new samples from previously under-sampled geographic regions, the application of molecular markers helped reveal a significant number of new taxa (cryptic species) among existing collections, similar to those found in many other groups of basidiomycetes (Yang 2011). …”

“…Secotioid and gasteroid forms also occur in genus Amanita as well as in some other groups of Basidiomyceta (Yang 2011). A secotioid genus Torrendia and a gasteroid genus Amarrendia Bougher & T. Lebel were postulated as close relatives of agaricoid amanitas over 60 years ago (Malencon 1955; Bas 1975).…”