Allelic Variation and Segregation in Morchella Deliciosa and M. Esculenta

ABSTRACT

Electrophoretic data were obtained for single ascospore isolates of Morchella deliciosa from individual ascocarps. The loci studied exhibited allelic differences between ascospore isolates, indicating that genes from different paternal genomes exist in individual offspring from a single ascocarp. Less genetic variation was found in M. esculenta but ascospore isolates from individual ascocarps also exhibited allelic differences. The occurrence of only two electrophoretic types was observed among the six isolates and may indicate the existence of linkage or pseudolinkage. The presence of polymorphisms, the possibility of mating types and production of ascospores indicate that M. deliciosa and M. esculenta exist as Mendelian populations. The occurrence of gene exchange among sexually reproducing individuals enables a biological basis for determining taxa. Our data also indicate that local populations of M. deliciosa and M. esculenta can be reproductively isolated and exist as separate gene pools.

Key Words:

• Morchella
• allelic variation
• electrophoresis
• outbreeding
• population genetics