Molecular genetic analysis of two taxa of the Pleurotus eryngii complex: P. eryngii (DC.Fr.) Quèl. var. eryngii and P. eryngii (DC.Fr.) Quèl. var. ferulae

Abstract

With the use of isozymes and PCR-fingerprinting analysis molecular markers were found between the varieties Pleurotus eryngii var. eryngii and P. eryngii var. ferulae within the Pleurotus eryngii complex, which allowed the identification of the fruitbodies collected in Southern and Central Italy. The study of sympatric localities has shown that there is no gene exchange between them in the field. The post-mating barriers between these taxa are not yet completely efficient. However, in the field the gene pools of the two taxa appear isolated and associated with specific host plants: Eryngium campestre and Ferula communis. On the basis of the genetic and ecological differences observed and given the absence of gene exchange in sympatric localities, P. eryngii and P. ferulae are to be considered distinct biological species

Genetic diversity and population structure of the Italian fungi belonging to the taxa Pleurotus eryngii (DC.:Fr.) Quèl and P. ferulae (DC.:Fr.) Quèl

“…These loci included E50% of fast-and 50% of slow-evolving loci, sensu, Koehn and Eanes (1978). The electrophoretic procedures are reported in detail in Urbanelli et al (2002).…”

“…)Quèl complex is distributed in the temperate Mediterranean region, in South Germany, Hungary, Slovakia and in Central Asia. Four varieties belong to this complex, two of which have recently been classified as separate species: P. eryngii and P. ferulae Authority (Urbanelli et al, 2002) The two taxa, morphologically similar in the juvenile phase, can be discriminated at maturity by the shape, color and diameter of the pileus and the size of the basidiospore (Hilber, 1982). They colonize the roots and the stems of some Apiaceae: P. eryngii that prevalently grows on the roots of Eryngium campestre, distributed throughout Western Europe, and P. ferulae grows mostly on the roots of Ferula communis, distributed throughout the Mediterranean region.…”

“…Both mushroom taxa have been described as weak parasitic entities of these plants, although according to some authors they exhibit certain differences: P. eryngii is mainly saprophytic, while P. ferulae is mostly pathogenic (Cailleux et al, 1981;Urbanelli et al, 2002). Recent studies conducted on the genetic differentiation and the reproductive isolation of P. eryngii and P. ferulae populations have revealed that they are two distinct, genetically and reproductively isolated, entities (Urbanelli et al, 2002). The identification of molecular markers has allowed a clear discrimination of the two taxa, and the analysis of sympatric populations.…”

Genetic Variability and Population Structure of the Mushroom Pleurotus eryngii var. tuoliensis

“…eryngii or var. ferulae [47]. In general, widespread species were more diverse compared to stenochoric species [48].…”

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers in two basidiomycete species: Pleurotus eryngii and P. ferulae

“…These mushrooms are well known as decomposers of a wide range of agricultural wastes and for their ability to produce fruitbodies of good organoleptic qualities. In particular, the Pleurotus eryngii complex, distributed in the temperate Mediterranean region, comprises four varieties, two of which have recently been classified as separate species, Pleurotus eryngii and P. ferulae (Urbanelli et al . 2002).…”