Effused Skeletocutis biguttulata fruiting body on a decayed pine log in central Finland (collection OM15445).

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.

Skeletocutis biguttulata

Skeletocutis biguttulata is wide-spread polypore species found in temperate Eurasia. It usually grows on conifer trunks, though rarely also on angiosperms. The species is common in boreal Europe, where the most common host is Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris). Unlike many other Skeletocutis, it is little affected by forest management and can grow in many different forest habitats from dry pine outcrops to moist old-growth spruce forests.

Skeletocutis biguttulata is the first species of the family Incrustoporiaceae (Polyporales) whose genome has been sequenced. The position of Incrustoporiaceae in the Polyporales is not well resolved. The genome will help in resolving the phylogeny of the Polyporales, arguably the most important group of wood-rot fungi.

Skeletocutis biguttulata is a white-rot species. In their review of the Polyporales, Justo et al. (2017) found that Skeletocutis spp. are the closest relatives of the largest group of brown-rot fungi, the antrodia clade, containing genera such as Antrodia, Fomitopsis, and Postia. The genome of a Skeletocutis species may prove valuable in understanding the transition from white rot to brown rot at the genomic level.

The genome strain OMC1759 was produced from a polysporic spore print of a fruiting body that grew on Pinus sylvestris in the south coast of Finland (collection OM21553, H6014443).

Researchers who wish to publish analyses using data from unpublished CSP genomes are respectfully required to contact the PI and JGI to avoid potential conflicts on data use and coordinate other publications with the CSP master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