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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Dawson, Georgia » National Peanut Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #270758
Title: Hybridization between Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus

Author
item WORTHINGTON, CAROLYN - North Carolina State University
item Horn, Bruce
item Moore, Geromy
item MONACELL, JAMES - North Carolina State University
item SINGH, RAKHI - North Carolina State University
item STONE, ERIC - North Carolina State University
item CARBONE, IGNAZIO - North Carolina State University

Submitted to: Fungal Genetics Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/25/2011
Publication Date: 8/20/2011
Citation: Worthington, C.J., Horn, B.W., Moore, G.G., Monacell, J.T., Singh, R., Stone, E.A., Carbone, I. 2011. Hybridization between Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. Fungal Genetics Conference Proceedings.

Interpretive Summary: Noen required.

Technical Abstract: To date the sexual stages or teleomorphs have been described for three aflatoxigenic species in Aspergillus section Flavi: Petromyces flavus, P. parasiticus and P. nomius. In this study we examined the possibility of interspecific matings between A. flavus and A. parasiticus. These species can be distinguished morphologically and genetically, as well as functionally via the biosynthesis of specific aflatoxins and an unrelated mycotoxin, cyclopiazonic acid (CPA). A. flavus produces both B aflatoxins and CPA, B aflatoxins or CPA alone, or neither mycotoxin; A. parasiticus produces B and G aflatoxins or O-methylsterigmatocystin but not CPA. Only four out of forty-five attempted interspecific crosses between compatible mating types of A. flavus and A. parasiticus were fertile. Single ascospore strains from each cross were isolated and shown to be hybrids using array comparative genome hybridization and multilocus sequence typing. Higher mean concentrations of B1, B2, G1 and G2 aflatoxins, and CPA in the F1 progeny compared to midpoint parent toxin levels indicate high heritability of these toxins and possibly hybrid heterosis.