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Melanospora tiffanyae perithecium with pigmented ascospores accumulated at the ostiole by Derek Johnson
Melanospora tiffanyae perithecium with pigmented ascospores accumulated at the ostiole by Derek Johnson

Melanospora tiffanyae F1KG0001 was sequenced as part of the 1000 Fungal Genomes Project

Melanospora tiffanyae Kowalski (Hypocreomycetidae, Melanosporales) is a mycoparasitic filamentous fungus that has been isolated in conjunction with and parasitizing Fusarium species. It produces flask shaped reproductive structures called perithecia and unlike many filamentous fungi, its spores are passively discharged via breakdown of the ascus wall. Spores of this fungus will then accumulate on or around the long necked ostioles and are hypothesized to be dispersed via insects or other animal activity. Recent molecular studies have placed Melanospora in the TBM clade of Hypocreomycetidae, which also includes the marine genera of Torpedospora and Swampomyces. The genome of this fungus will be utilized in comparative studies of the evolution of salt tolerance of marine fungi and evolution of spore dispersal among ascomycetes. As a mycoparasite, it has further possible applications in research and industry in the understanding and use of fungal biocontrols of economically important crops and grasses.