Image Credit: Sandrine Cros-Arteil
This genome was sequenced as part of the JGI CSP 1KFG - Deep Sequencing of Ecologically-relevant Dikarya, whose goal is to fill in gaps in the Fungal Tree of Life by sequencing at least two reference genomes from the more than 500 recognized families of Fungi. This project additionally aims to inform research on plant-microbe interactions, microbial emission and capture of greenhouse gasses, and environmental metagenomic sequencing.
The sequenced Neurospora tetraspora (Gelasinospora
tetrasperma) isolate CBS 560.94 has been isolated from
coniferous duff in mixed forest. It belongs to Lasiosphaeriaceae II
sensu (Kruys, Huhndorf et al. 2015). Gelasinospora species
can be isolated from soil, dung or seeds (Cain 1950). Morphological
observations and sequence data suggest that the genus
Gelasinospora is not distinct from the genus
Neurospora, and the two genera can be considered synonyms
(García, Stchigel et al. 2004). Sordariales is a
taxonomically rich group containing ca. 35 genera (Huhndorf, Miller
et al. 2004, Kruys, Huhndorf et al. 2015), spanning more than 75
million years of association with plant biomass (Saupe,
Clavé et al. 2000). Sordariales can be sampled on a range of
substrates such as dung, wood, leaves, litter, burned vegetation,
biological soil crusts and soil; most are saprobes, but some live
in close association with plants as endophytes and few have been
described as pathogens. Sordariales also exhibit striking
differences in temperature requirements, ranging from mesophilic to
thermophilic. Unraveling the genomic features responsible for their
ability to efficiently forage their substrate will represent
foundational information for understanding the role of
saprophilous, lignicolous, herbicolous and coprophilous fungi in
nutrient and energy flows within ecosystems. In addition, these
resources will facilitate the rational design of improved
thermophilic and/or biomass degrading fungal host strains, and help
field studies aiming to predict responses of fungal communities to
environmental changes, such as global warming.
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unpublished CSP genomes are respectfully required to contact the PI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).
References:
- Cain, R. F. (1950). "Studies of coprophilous ascomycetes: I. Gelasinospora." Canadian Journal of Research 28(5): 566-576.
- García, D., A. M. Stchigel, J. Cano, J. Guarro and D. L. Hawksworth (2004). "A synopsis and re-circumscription of Neurospora (syn. Gelasinospora) based on ultrastructural and 28S rDNA sequence data." Mycological research 108(10): 1119-1142.
- Huhndorf, S. M., A. N. Miller and F. A. Fernández (2004). "Molecular systematics of the Sordariales: the order and the family Lasiosphaeriaceae redefined." Mycologia 96(2): 368-387.
- Kruys, Å., S. M. Huhndorf and A. N. Miller (2015). "Coprophilous contributions to the phylogeny of Lasiosphaeriaceae and allied taxa within Sordariales (Ascomycota, Fungi)." Fungal Diversity 70(1): 101-113.
- Saupe, S. J., C. Clavé, M. Sabourin and J. Bégueret (2000). "Characterization of hch, the Podospora anserina homolog of the het-c heterokaryon incompatibility gene of Neurospora crassa." Current genetics 38(1): 39-47.
