title: Genetic variation and relationships in Laetiporus sulphureus s. lat., as determined by ITS rDNA sequences and in vitro growth rate.
abstract: The aim of this study was to characterise the genetic variation and molecular relationships of the brown rot polypore, Laetiporus sulphureus s. lat., from Europe, South America, Africa, and Asia, using ITS sequences of the nu-rDNA and by comparing the growth rate in vitro. In a NJ analysis of the sequences of 130 individuals of L. sulphureus s. lat., eight distinct clusters emerged, supported by BS values of 70-100%. Within each cluster, the ITS rDNA sequence variation was below 3%. The sequences were also analysed together with Laetiporus sequences available from GenBank. Results demonstrated the possible presence of L. huroniensis in Europe (invalidly named L. montanus) and L. gilbertsonii in South America, and provided more information on the Pan-American and European distribution of one of the clades, currently known in North America as L. sulphureus. L. conifericola formed a separate distinct clade. Moreover, the analysis revealed two unknown Laetiporus taxa in Korea, one in South Africa, and one in Europe. As L. sulphureus is described from Europe (France), and we show that more than one taxon exist here, it is presently not possible to define L. sulphureus s. str. Certain biological differences between some of the clades (in vitro growth rates, chemical composition, and pigmentation) were demonstrated and discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Forest Mycology and Pathology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7026, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden. rimvys.vasaitis@mykopat.slu.se
authors.forename: Rimvydas
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vasaitis
authors.forename: Audrius
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Menkis
authors.forename: Young Woon
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Soonja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Seok
authors.forename: Michal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tomsovsky
authors.forename: Libor
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jankovsky
authors.forename: Vaidotas
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lygis
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Slippers
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stenlid
mesh_terms: D000349:Africa; D001208:Asia; D055453:Coriolaceae / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000235:genetics; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / Q000235:genetics; D005060:Europe; D014644:Genetic Variation; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D013020:South America; D014197:Trees / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D004271:DNA, Fungal; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer