Hygrocybe coccinea, pasture close to Bečov village, Slovakia, herbarium voucher SAV F-20415 [Photo credit: S. Adamčík]

In the "1KFG: Deep Sequencing of Ecologically-relevant Dikarya" project (CSP1974), we are sequencing keystone lineages of plant-interacting fungi and saprophytic fungi that are of special ecological importance for understanding terrestrial ecosystems. In addition, comparative genome analysis with saprotrophic, mycorrhizal and pathogenic fungi will provide new insights into the specific and conserved adaptations associated with each fungal lifestyle.

Hygrocybe coccinea JK88

Hygrocybe coccinea is among the most characteristic and well known grassland fungi. This species is widespread in temperate and boreal Europe, with the main growing season during August to November. It has pileate, medium sized basidiomata with lamellar hymenophores (Boertmann 2010). Because of its bright red colour and because it often grows in large numbers, it is easily visible and is one of the most reported Hygrocybe species in temperate Europe.

The genus Hygrocybe has tens of species known in Europe and, together with Gliophorus, Neohygrocybe and Cuphophyllus, it belongs to a group referred to as Hygrocybe sensu lato. All these fungi typically occur in semi-natural European habitats and they are believed to be good indicators of natural value of grasslands. Hygrocybe s.l. belongs together with other agarics of the family Clavariaceae, the genera Entoloma and Dermoloma, as well as earthtongues of the family Geoglossaceae, in a group called CHEGD fungi. These fungi avoid manure, disturbed or polluted soils, and they are present in roots of grassland fungi as endophytes. Therefore, it is hypothesized that they form an unspecified form of symbiosis.

Hygrocybe coccinea is the first species of the Hygrocybe s.l. whose genome has been sequenced. The genome will help understand their trophic strategy and ecological role. The genome of strain JK88 was sequenced from surface-sterilized fruitbody collected in a pasture from Central Slovakia (collection SAV F-20415).

Researchers who wish to publish analyses using data from unpublished CSP genomes are respectfully required to contact the PI and JGI to avoid potential conflicts on data use and coordinate other publications with the CSP master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).