The genome of Coprinellus pellucidus was sequenced
through JGI’s Community Sequencing Project as part of an
effort to develop a tractable but ecologically realistic system
integrating genomics and carbon cycling. This specimen of
Coprinellus pellucidus is a coprophilous (“dung
loving”) fungus isolated from the dung of Tule Elk
(Cervus canadensis nannodes) collected at Point Reyes
National Seashore in Marin County, CA. Coprinellus
pellucidus belongs to a group of fungi known colloquially as
“inky caps”, named for their dark spores and
auto-digesting fruiting bodies. As a saprotroph, Coprinellus
pellucidus obtains its nutrition by decomposing plant tissues
that remain in dung after passage through the herbivore gut.
Coprophilous fungi have long been studied by mycologists due to
their ease of cultivation and the strong fungal fruiting patterns
exhibited throughout the coprophilous decomposition process.
Along with the genome of other coprophilous fungi sequenced through
this project, the genome of Coprinellus pellucidus will
give insight into the key functional genes dictating patterns of
fungal community assembly and decomposition of organic
material. In addition, comparison of the Coprinellus
pellucidus genome with other sequenced relatives in the
Psathyrellaceae, such as Coprinellus micaceus and
Coprinopsis cinerea will provide great insight into the
evolution of fungal decomposition genes and the coprophilous
lifestyle.
