Abstract
RFLP data from PCR amplified regions of the rDNA repeat from Lentinula edodes, L. boryana, L. lateritia, and L. novaezelandiae, together with out-groups Clitocybula, Collybia and Pleurotus, were used for a phylogenetic analysis. A phylogeny based on data from the transcribed rDNA regions supports the monophyly of the genus Lentinula. Lentinula species display a comparatively low level of estimated nucleotide divergence relative to the outgroup species studied. The Asian-Australasian-distributed species (L. edodes, L. lateritia, and L. novaezelandiae) and the American-distributed L. boryana belong to two distinct genetic groups, with about 1.89% nucleotide divergence from each other. The Asian-Australasian species of Lentinula were approximately 4.0% divergent from the P. ostreatus and Collybia dryophila out-groups, while L. boryana was only approximately 3.5% divergent. Lentinula boryana is postulated to be the earliest lineage to diverge within the genus Lentinula, while the remaining Asian-Australasian species are suggested to have evolved more recently. This molecular phylogeny highlights the phylogenetic differences between the Asian-Australasian species of Lentinula and supports their most recent classification based morphological characters.
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