Conidiating colony on MEA and germinating ascopore. Photos by Don Natvig and Miriam Hutchinson

Members of the Chaetomiaceae are among the most common fungal species encountered in studies of biomass degradation in natural settings and engineered compost. They are known for their abilities to produce carbohydrate-active enzymes and are therefore relevant to DoE missions in the biofuels industry and in understanding global carbon cycling. Thermophilic Chaetomiaceae are of particular interest because they produce thermally stable enzymes and grow under high temperatures that prevent contamination from other microorganisms. The genomes of two thermophilic species belonging to the Chaetomiaceae were reported as a result of JGI efforts (Berka et al. 2011). The genomes of several additional strains ranging from cold-adapted species to thermophiles are being acquired as part of an expanded whole-genome comparative project designed to identify genomic and regulatory changes underlying evolutionary shifts in optimal growth temperature. Thermophilic and thermotolerant species being examined include Myceliophthora heterothallica, Thielavia arenaria and others. Mesophilic species include T. appendiculata, T. hyrcaniae and others. M. heterothallica is of special interest because it is the best genetic model organism among members of the Chaetomiaceae and for fungal thermophily.