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Aspergillus flavus resident in Kenya: High genetic diversity in an ancient population primarily shaped by clonal

Md-Sajedul Islam1, Kenneth A Callicott1, Charity Mutegi2

  • 1Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, School of Plant Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.

Fungal Ecology
|October 5, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Genetic studies of Aspergillus flavus in Kenya reveal high diversity but predominantly clonal reproduction. Meiosis appears limited, with mutation driving evolution in natural populations.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Population Genetics
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • Aspergillus flavus is primarily known as an asexual fungus.
  • Recent in vitro studies suggest a sexual stage, but its prevalence in natural populations remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate genetic diversity, reproduction, and evolution of natural Aspergillus flavus populations in Kenya.
  • To understand the extent of recombination and the scale of meiosis in wild fungal populations.

Main Methods:

  • Characterization of 2744 Aspergillus flavus isolates from Kenyan maize-field soils using 17 SSR loci.
  • Analysis of genetic diversity, haplotype distribution, linkage disequilibrium, and population differentiation.

Main Results:

  • High genetic diversity was observed, with 2140 unique haplotypes found across samples.
  • Clonal reproduction and the persistence of clonal lineages were predominant.
  • Three distinct lineages were identified, with evidence of mutation-driven evolution and limited recombination.
  • Low genetic differentiation between adjacent communities indicated frequent short-distance dispersal.

Conclusions:

  • Natural Aspergillus flavus populations in Kenya exhibit high genetic diversity but are largely dominated by clonal reproduction.
  • Recombination and meiosis appear to play a minor role in the evolution of these populations.
  • Short-distance dispersal is a significant factor influencing population structure.
Keywords:
Aflatoxin biocontrolAspergillus flavusEvolutionGenetic diversityReproductionSimple sequence repeat (SSR) marker

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