Molecular study of the genus Astraeus

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Molecular Systematics
• Fungal Taxonomy

Background:

• The genus Astraeus is known for its complex taxonomy, often requiring detailed morphological examination.
• Phylogenetic relationships within Astraeus are not fully understood, necessitating further investigation.
• Traditional methods alone may not fully resolve species boundaries in Astraeus.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate phylogenetic relationships among Astraeus species.
• To integrate molecular data from the ITS rDNA region with morphological characteristics.
• To support the identification and classification of Astraeus species globally.

Main Methods:

• Collection of Astraeus basidiomes from Thailand and worldwide.
• Morphological analysis, including basidiospore ornamentation.
• Molecular analysis of the ITS rDNA region for 41 Astraeus collections.
• Phylogenetic analyses to group and differentiate species.

Main Results:

• Phylogenetic analyses of 41 Astraeus collections revealed two distinct groups among Thai collections.
• Identified A. odoratus and a new species, A. asiaticus.
• Confirmed the presence of at least A. pteridis and an unnamed North American species.
• Demonstrated congruence between molecular data and traditional morphological features.

Conclusions:

• Molecular data, specifically ITS rDNA sequences, are valuable for resolving taxonomic uncertainties in the genus Astraeus.
• The study supports the recognition of A. asiaticus as a distinct species.
• Combined morphological and molecular approaches provide robust taxonomic insights for Astraeus.