Summary: Valsariales sp. FL0756
Valsariales sp. FL0756 was isolated in culture from
surface-sterilized, photosynthetic tissue of the sand spikemoss,
Selaginella arenicola (Selaginellaceae), at Archbold Biological
Station, Florida as part of a study examining endophytic and
endolichenic fungal communities across North America (U’Ren
et al., 2012). We identified this isolate as an unidentified
species of Valsariales (Pezizomycotina, Dothideomycetes) using
ITS-partial LSU rDNA sequencing. Described species of Valsariales
are typically saprophytic on bark and leaves of angiosperms in
warmer regions of Europe, and the order appears to be uncommon or
understudied in tropical regions of the world (Jaklitsch et al.,
2015). As an endophyte, FL0756 will provide an important framework
for understanding the evolution of ecological modes in the
Dothideomycetes.
References:
Jaklitsch, W. M., J. Fournier, D. Q. Dai, K. D. Hyde, and H. Voglmayr. 2015. Valsaria and the Valsariales. Fungal Diversity. 73: 159–202.
U’Ren, J. M., F. Lutzoni, J. Miadlikowska, A. Laetsch, A.
E. Arnold. 2012. Host- and geographic structure of endophytic and
endolichenic fungi at a continental scale. American Journal of
Botany. 99: 898–914.
