title: Molecular study of the genus Astraeus.
abstract: The aim of the present work was to determine phylogenetic relationships among Astraeus species and to support macroscopic and microscopic characters of Astraeus with analysis of the ITS rDNA region. Collections of Astraeus basidiomes were made from different geographical areas in Thailand and compared with existing collections made worldwide. The marriage of observations on morphological features, including basidiospore ornamentation and molecular data demonstrated the presence of several Astraeus species. Sequences for 41 Astraeus collections were compared and the phylogenetic analyses grouped Thai Astraeus collections into two distinct groups. One contained A. odoratus and an Asian species described herein as A. asiaticus. There are at least two additional species: A. pteridis, and one so far un-named from North America. Our results show that molecular data can be used in combination with traditional morphological characteristics to resolve taxonomic uncertainties in the genus Astraeus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sciences, Faculty of Science & Technology, Pibulsongkram Rajabhat University, Phitsanulok 65000, Thailand. cherd_phosri@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: Cherdchai
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Phosri
authors.forename: María P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Martín
authors.forename: Prakitsin
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sihanonth
authors.forename: Anthony J S
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Whalley
authors.forename: Roy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Watling
mesh_terms: D001487:Basidiomycota / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000235:genetics; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / Q000235:genetics; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010802:Phylogeny; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D013045:Species Specificity; D013172:Spores, Fungal / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013785:Thailand
chemical_list: D004271:DNA, Fungal; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer