Image Credit: Dániel G. Knapp
This genome was sequenced as part of the 1000 Fungal Genomes Project - Deep Sequencing of Ecologically-relevant Dikarya. Within the framework of this project, we are sequencing keystone lineages of saprophytic, mycorrhizal, and endophytic fungi that are of special ecological importance. Dozens of sequenced species were harvested from Long Term Observatories to serve as the foundation for a reference database for metagenomics of fungi and for a comprehensive survey of the soil fungal metatranscriptome.
The genus Darksidea belongs to the family Lentitheciaceae (Pleosporales, Dothideomycetes) and accommodates species considered as anamorphic pleosporalean ascomycetes without conidia and spore production, however they rarely produce sexual morphs in certain conditions. Darksidea species are among the most common members of the root endophytic fungal communities in grassland ecosystems. They represent the enigmatic dark septate endophytes (DSE) and dominate the fungal root microbiome of grasses of the Eurasian steppe belt, North American prairies and are generally frequent in semiarid, arid environments from where the D. alpha strain DSE7016 isolated from Festuca vaginata also originates. Darksidea alpha is the most abundant and widespread species of the genus and can be a key player in those ecosystems. Darksidea species also colonize economically important cereals such as corn, wheat or barley. Due their potential positive effect on plant nutrient uptake, performance, survival and induced resistance of host plants, this DSE might help us to get insight to these important mechanisms of this less understood plant-fungal symbiosis.
Researchers who wish to publish analyses using data from unpublished CSP genomes are respectfully required to contact the PI and JGI to avoid potential conflicts on data use and coordinate other publications with the CSP master paper(s).
