Rhodocollybia butyracea growing on forest litter [Photo credit: Jan Borovička]

This genome was sequenced as part of the JGI CSP "1000 Fungal Genomes – Deep Sequencing of Ecologically-relevant Dikarya" project. Within the framework of this project, we are sequencing keystone lineages of saprophytic, mycorrhizal, and endophytic fungi that are of special ecological importance. Dozens of sequenced species were harvested from Long Term Observatories to serve as the foundation for a reference database for metagenomics of fungi and for a comprehensive survey of the soil fungal metatranscriptome.

Rhodocollybia butyracea (Bull.) Lennox

Rhodocollybia butyracea (Bull.) Lennox is a very common leaf litter decomposer, and one of the most frequent saprotrophic macromycetes involved in litter transformation in the boreal and temperate forests. R. butyracea is a typical white-rot fungus capable of producing ligninolytic peroxidases that are highly active during its transformation of litter (Valášková et al. 2007). The enzymatic system of the fungus is also able to degrade and transform humic substances in the organic layer of forest soils and the fungus is thus important player in C sequestration in forest ecosystems. By its decomposition activity in soil, R. butyracea promotes the existence of commensalist communities of soil bacteria and can be thus also considered a model for plant-bacterial interaction studies in soils (Šnajdr 2008).

The 1KFG project is a large collaborative effort aiming for master publication(s). Please do contact the PI for 1KFG - Deep Sequencing of Ecologically-relevant Dikarya (Dr. Francis Martin) for permission prior to the use of any data in publications.