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Cryptic species in the Terfezia boudieri complex.
Yael Ferdman1, Yaron Sitrit, Yong-Fang Li
1Life Sciences Department, Ben Gurion University, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek
|March 13, 2009
Summary
Terfezia boudieri contains three cryptic species, not one. Molecular and physiological markers confirmed distinct groups within this truffle, revealing hidden diversity.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Phylogenetic studies identified three internal transcribed spacer (ITS) Types in Terfezia boudieri.
- Type 2 shows significant divergence from Types 1 and 3.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the existence of cryptic species within Terfezia boudieri using molecular and physiological markers.
- To correlate molecular findings with observable physiological traits.
Main Methods:
- Sequencing of ribosomal large subunit gene, chitin synthase, and beta-tubulin genes.
- Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses.
- Assessment of mycelial proliferation and mycorrhiza formation capabilities.
Main Results:
- Molecular markers divided Terfezia boudieri isolates into three distinct groups, each corresponding to an ITS Type.
- Physiological traits, including mycelial growth and mycorrhiza formation, consistently paralleled the molecular groupings.
- Over 100 fruit bodies were analyzed, with at least 30 specimens per ITS Type.
Conclusions:
- Terfezia boudieri is comprised of three cryptic species.
- Molecular and physiological data provide strong evidence for this speciation.
- The identified cryptic species exhibit distinct characteristics in growth and symbiotic associations.
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