Laccaria sp. KIS1 TL2784
Laccaria is a widespread genus of around 80 species in which all but the most basal species form ectomycorrhizal relationships with forest trees such as Quercus and Eucalyptus. Most are mushroom-like fungi. However, phylogenetic analysis shows there are several sequestrate (truffle-like) species within the genus, including Laccaria sp. KIS1 TL2784. These produce spores on enclosed convoluted plates, rather than exposed vertical lamellae, in spore bodies formed at or below the soil surface.
Primacy of description currently assigns sequestrate species of Laccaria to the genus Hydnangium, a genus whose type, Hydnangium carneum was described in the nineteenth century from a collection made in association with plants from Australia in a garden in Germany. Formal transfer of species of Hydnangium to Laccaria awaits a proposal to conserve the name Laccaria against the earlier name Hydnangium in order to protect the continued use of Laccaria for the more than 70 species already described under that name. Pending this, we refer the sequestrate species to Laccaria because their phylogenetic placement is clear. Hydnangium-like species of Laccaria are widespread in Australia, forming ectomycorrhizal associations with a range of Eucalyptus species and are now found around the world in Eucalyptus plantations.
Laccaria sp. KIS1 TL2784 was collected under trees of Eucalyptus cladocalyx (Sugar gum) at Rocky River in Flinders Chase National Park on Kangaroo Island in South Australia and was made as part of a project investigating the transition from mushroom-like fungi to sequestrate (truffle-like) fungi. Comparison of the genome of this sequestrate species of Laccaria with mushroom-forming species of Laccaria is anticipated to help understand this transition toward a subterranean lifestyle which is believed to be an adaptation to a drying climate, a trait with economic potential in future forestry.
We request that researchers wishing to publish analyses of this genome prior to its publication by the consortium to please email [email protected] and JGI for permission.
