Molecular and microscopical studies in the Phellinus pini group

Abstract

Thirteen taxa of the Phellinus pini group from Europe (P. pini, P. chrysoloma), North America (P. piceinus, intersterility groups N-II … N-VII), Morocco (P. cf. vorax), and Asia (intersterility groups As-I … As-III) were characterized by restriction-fragment analysis of rDNA and measurements of basidiospores and hymenial setae.

A fragment of the rDNA, comprising the 5.8S rDNA, the ITSII region and parts of the 28S rDNA, was enzymatically amplified by PCR and digested with seven endonucleases. An identification of all taxa was not possible, and nine unique phenotypes were resolved among the thirteen taxa. Intersterility group N-IV was identical with N-VI and N-VII, and intersterility group N-V was identical with As-I and As-III. Based on the restriction-fragment data, a cluster analysis was performed through UPGMA. Phellinus cf. vorax and As-II were clearly separated from the remaining taxa. Phellinus piceinus turned out to be a sister taxon of P. chrysoloma. No apparent correlation was found between restriction-fragment data and geographic origin and host of the taxa studied.

Both European taxa, P. pini and P. chrysoloma, were characterized by measurements of spores and setae; however, there was some overlap in measurements between these taxa. An unambiguous differentiation of non-European taxa was not possible.

Key Words:

• cluster analysis
• intersterility groups
• microscopical characters
• PCR
• Phellinus pini group
• restriction-fragment