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Title: MULTI-LOCUS PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS OF TILLETIA SPECIES INFECTING HOSTS IN GRASS SUBFAMILY POOIDEAE

Author
item CARPENTER-BOGGS, LYNNE - WASH STATE UNIV, PULLMAN
item CARRIS, LORI - WASH STATE UNIV, PULLMAN
item Castlebury, Lisa

Submitted to: Mycological Society of America
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/15/2003
Publication Date: 6/30/2003
Citation: Carpenter-Boggs, L., Carris, L.M., Castlebury, L.A. Multi-locus phylogenetic analysis of tilletia species infecting hosts in grass subfamily pooideae. Mycological Society of America.Inoculum Vol.54 P.15,2003.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Phylogenetic analysis of Tilletiales (Ustilaginomycetes, Basidiomycota) based on large subunit nuclear rDNA shows that Tilletia species infecting hosts in grass subfamily Pooideae form a well-supported monophyletic group (bootstrap >95%). In addition to infecting Pooids, these species are characterized by reticulate or cerebriform teliospore ornamentation. The objective of this study is to resolve relationships within the Pooid-infecting clade, which includes the wheat bunt pathogens Tilletia controversa, T. laevis and T. tritici. Nine loci, including those proposed for the Assembling the Fungal Tree of Life and Deep Hypha Projects, were screened for variability by sequencing T. controversa, and two closely related species from wild grasses, T. bromi and T. fusca. Beta-tubulin, COX3, and ATP6 were less than 2% variable among these species, RPB1 and IGS1 showed 2-5% variability, and TEF-1 alpha, actin, RPB2 and IGS2 were 5-10% variable. The 5-10% level of variability is necessary to differentiate closely related, but host-specific taxa. Preliminary analyses indicate that a number of the accepted species are polyphyletic, although in general host plant remains a good indicator of species identity.