Phylogenetic and Microsatellite Markers for <i>Tulasnella</i> (Tulasnellaceae) Mycorrhizal Fungi Associated with Australian Orchids

• Main Authors: Monica P. Ruibal, Rod Peakall, Leon M. Smith, Celeste C. Linde
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2013-03-01
• Series: Applications in Plant Sciences
• Subjects: microsatellites; mycorrhizal fungi; orchids; phylogenetic; Sebacina; Tulasnella
• Online Access: http://www.bioone.org/doi/full/10.3732/apps.1200394

Premise of the study: Phylogenetic and microsatellite markers were developed for <i>Tulasnella</i> mycorrhizal fungi to investigate fungal species identity and diversity. These markers will be useful in future studies investigating the phylogenetic relationship of the fungal symbionts, specificity of orchid&#8211;mycorrhizal associations, and the role of mycorrhizae in orchid speciation within several orchid genera. Methods and Results: We generated partial genome sequences of two <i>Tulasnella</i> symbionts originating from <i>Chiloglottis</i> and <i>Drakaea</i> orchid species with 454 genome sequencing. Cross-genus transferability across mycorrhizal symbionts associated with multiple genera of Australian orchids (<i>Arthrochilus</i>, <i>Chiloglottis</i>, <i>Drakaea</i>, and <i>Paracaleana</i>) was found for seven phylogenetic loci. Five loci showed cross-transferability to <i>Tulasnella</i> from other orchid genera, and two to <i>Sebacina</i>. Furthermore, 11 polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed for <i>Tulasnella</i> from <i>Chiloglottis</i>. Conclusions: Highly informative markers were obtained, allowing investigation of mycorrhizal diversity of Tulasnellaceae associated with a wide variety of terrestrial orchids in Australia and potentially worldwide.