The egg pile of the subterranean termite R. virginicus in the US (Louisiana). By Kenji Matsuura

The egg pile of the subterranean termite R. speratus in Japan (Okayama). By Kenji Matsuura

This genome was sequenced as a part of the large-scale multi-genome JGI CSP Saprotrophic Agaricomycotina Project (SAP), which focused on the diversity and evolution of decay mechanisms, organismal phylogenetic relationships, and developmental evolution. A large collaborative effort led by PI of this project, David Hibbett (Clark University) produced the master publication(s) of the SAP data. All SAP genomes have now been published.

Fibulorhizoctonia psychrophila CBS 109695 is a member of the Atheliales, a small (probably less than 100 species) clade of Agaricomycetes that is closely related to the Boletales, Amylocorticiales and Agaricales (collectively, the Agaricomycetidae). Most Atheliales produce simple, "corticioid" fruiting bodies, which are often little more than a loose aggregation of fungal filaments on the surface of the substrate. However, what the Atheliales lack in morphological diversity, they more than make up for in ecological diversity. The group contains saprotrophs, termite symbionts, plant pathogens, algal parasites, and ectomycorrhizal symbionts. Fibulorhizoctonia psychrophila is the second species of Atheliales to have its genome sequenced; the first, Piloderma crocea, is ectomycorrhizal. In contrast, Fibulorhizoctonia psychrophila is a presumed saprotroph and spoilage fungus that was isolated from a refrigerated carrot storage facility¹. It grows optimally between 9-12ºC, with a growth range of 0-20ºC. It produces plant biomass degrading enzymes that have high activity at low temperatures are therefore possible applications in biotechnology.