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Updated: Jun 6, 2026
08:25
An Improved Method of RNA Isolation from Loblolly Pine (P. taeda L.) and Other Conifer Species
Published on: February 22, 2010
Phylogenetics of Lophodermium from pine
Sol Ortiz-García1, David S Gernandt, Jeffrey K Stone
1Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 70-275, Ciudad Universitaria, México, D.F. 04510, México.
Mycologia
|December 15, 2010
Summary
This study analyzed fungal DNA to understand Lophodermium relationships, revealing that pathogenicity likely evolved from endophytism in these needle-cast pathogens and endophytes.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Plant Pathology
- Molecular Systematics
Background:
- Lophodermium fungi are significant needle-cast pathogens and endophytes.
- Distinguishing features include filiform ascospores and longitudinal ascocarp slits.
- Phylogenetic relationships within Rhytismataceae are complex.
Purpose of the Study:
- To infer phylogenetic relationships within Lophodermium using DNA sequences.
- To investigate the evolutionary origins of pathogenicity in Lophodermium.
- To evaluate generic concepts within the Rhytismataceae family.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region nucleotide sequences of nuclear ribosomal DNA.
- Phylogenetic analysis of 29 Lophodermium sequences and eight sequences from related genera.
- Evaluation of host distribution and morphological characters against the ITS phylogeny.
Main Results:
- Phylogenetic analysis revealed complex relationships, with some genera like Meloderma and Elytroderma nested within the Lophodermium clade.
- Lophodermium species from pine hosts formed a monophyletic group, but strict cospeciation with pines was not evident at deeper branches.
- Pathogenic Lophodermium species appear to have evolved from endophytic ancestors.
Conclusions:
- Current generic concepts in Rhytismataceae may require revision, possibly due to reliance on spore morphology.
- Evolutionary pathways suggest pathogenicity in Lophodermium arose from an endophytic lifestyle.
- A new combination, Terriera minor (Tehon) P.R. Johnst., is proposed.
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