Russula compacta (actual genome source) by Brian P. Looney

This genome was sequenced as part of the JGI CSP "1KFG - Deep Sequencing of Ecologically-relevant Dikarya" and more specifically as a part of the Russulaceae Sequencing Project, which seeks to densely sample members of a diverse lineage of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi to examine functional diversity of ECM fungi with a shared evolutionary history.

Russula compacta Frost - The Firm Russula

Russula compacta is a widespread and variable species occurring in hardwood forests throughout the Appalachian Mountains and southwards to the high peaks of Central America. It is characterized by a firm cap context that stains from white to brown when bruised or dried, whitish cap surface that turns reddish brown when old, blue-green reaction to the application of iron salts, and a fishy odor. The species has been considered closely related to the "blackening Russulas" such as Russula dissimulans due to their shared discoloring and compact fruitbodies, however, recent phylogenetic evidence indicates that they are not closely related (Looney et al. 2016). This species is part of the Compacta clade of Russula, a clade that includes mostly tropical species and likely is absent from Europe (Looney et al. 2016). The sporocarps for this genome were collected on July 8, 2015 in a mixed forest with mainly Tsuga canadensis, Carpinus caroliniana, Liriodendron tulipifera, and multiple species of Quercus and Carya in the Cosby area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This species is a representative of an important and diverse group of mostly tropical species and will be important for understanding the evolution of functional diversity of Russulaceae.

Researchers who wish to publish analyses using data from unpublished CSP genomes are respectfully required to contact the PI and JGI to avoid potential conflicts on data use and coordinate other publications with the CSP master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

Looney, B.P., Ryberg, M., Hampe, F., Sánchez-García, M. and Matheny, P.B., 2016. Into and out of the tropics: global diversification patterns in a hyper-diverse clade of ectomycorrhizal fungi. Molecular ecology, 25, pp.630-647.