title: Diversity and molecular relationships of endophytic Colletotrichum isolates from the Iwokrama Forest Reserve, Guyana.
abstract: The diversity and host specificity were studied of a collection of Colletotrichum strains derived from endophytic colonies in leaves of 12 tree species in the Iwokrama Forest Reserve, Guyana. Analysis included ISSR-PCR and RAPD molecular fingerprinting techniques, rDNA ITS sequencing and morphological and cultural characterization. Most strains belonged to one of two species, C. gloeosporioides and a further taxon which is probably referable to C. boninense. Almost no strains were found to be genetically identical, indicating that clonal reproduction does not play a prominent role. No degree of host specificity could be detected even at molecular fingerprint level. The implications for estimation of fungal diversity in closed tropical forests may be profound.
authors.affiliation: Shenyang Agricultural University, Dongling Road No. 120, Shenyang 110161, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Guozhong
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Paul F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Cannon
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Reid
authors.forename: Coralie M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Simmons
mesh_terms: D020231:Colletotrichum / Q000235:genetics*; D014644:Genetic Variation; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D019105:Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique; D014197:Trees / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S