Polypore Sidera vulgaris fruiting on white-rot aspen wood in Helsinki, Finland (collection Otto Miettinen 21893, origin of the genome strain) [Photo credit: Otto Miettinen]

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.

Sidera vulgaris OMC1730

All the species of the genus Sidera form effused, white fruiting bodies on wood in advanced stages of decay. They are white-rot fungi found throughout the world from the boreal to tropical zone. Although easy to recognize as a group, species delimitation has proven difficult, and until recently, only two species were recognized in the group, Sidera lenis and S. vulgaris (Niemelä & Dai 1997). Both names are still being used in a collective sense. Genus classification of these species has been also challenging, and they have been placed variably in the polypore genera Antrodia, Cinereomyces, and Diplomitoporus until Miettinen & Larsson (2011) transferred them to their own genus.

Sidera vulgaris was described from Europe, and in the strict sense is distributed widely in Eurasian temperate zone and probably in North America also. The species has an exceptionally wide host range frequenting many angiosperm species as well as conifers such as Picea and Pinus spp. Phylogenetically Sidera belongs to the order Hymenochaetales, but has no close relatives in the order, possibly warranting its own family in the future. The genome of S. vulgaris will help to establish phylogenetically sound classification of the Hymenochaetales, and understand diversity of wood decay mechanisms of white-rot fungi.

The polysporic genome strain of Sidera vulgaris was collected in the hemiboreal zone in Finnish south coast from a decayed aspen (Populus tremula) trunk.

Researchers who wish to publish analyses using data from unpublished CSP genomes are respectfully required to contact the PI and JGI to avoid potential conflicts on data use and coordinate other publications with the CSP master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