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Isolation, Behavioral Identification, and Pathogenicity Assessment of Entomopathogenic Fungi from a Forest Wood Borer
Published on: September 29, 2023
Phylogenetic lineages in Entomophthoromycota
A P Gryganskyi1, R A Humber, M E Smith
1Duke University, Department of Biology, Durham, NC 27708-90338, USA;
Persoonia
|September 13, 2013
Summary
Entomophthoromycota, a phylum of early terrestrial fungi, comprises five distinct lineages. This review details their biology and taxonomy, clarifying evolutionary relationships using multi-gene phylogenies.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Fungal Taxonomy
Background:
- Entomophthoromycota represent an ancient lineage of terrestrial fungi, formerly classified under Zygomycota.
- Key ancestral traits include coenocytic mycelium and gametangiogamy, leading to zygospore formation.
- Previous molecular data supported the monophyly of Entomophthoromycota, justifying its status as a distinct phylum.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the biology and taxonomy of the five major lineages within the phylum Entomophthoromycota.
- To discuss recent molecular phylogenetic findings that have resolved previously uncertain taxonomic relationships.
- To highlight the evolutionary significance of these early terrestrial fungi.
Main Methods:
- Phylogenetic analysis using multi-gene datasets.
- Review of existing literature on fungal biology and taxonomy.
- Morphological and molecular data integration for taxonomic clarification.
Main Results:
- Identification and characterization of five major lineages within Entomophthoromycota: Basidiobolus, Conidiobolus, and three entomopathogenic clades (Batkoa, Entomophthora, Erynioideae).
- Clarification of relationships among saprobic and entomopathogenic fungi.
- Resolution of taxonomic uncertainties for genera such as Eryniopsis, Macrobiotophthora, Massospora, and Strongwellsea.
Conclusions:
- The phylum Entomophthoromycota is well-supported by molecular and morphological evidence.
- Detailed understanding of the five lineages provides insights into fungal evolution and ecology.
- Ongoing research continues to refine the taxonomy and evolutionary history of these important fungi.
Keywords:
BasidiobolusBatkoaBayesian inference (BI)ConidiobolusEntomophthoraEntomophthoralesEntomophthoromycotinaZoophthoramaximum likelihood (ML)phylogenyMore Related Videos
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