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Tuber gibbosum
Truffle fruiting body of Tuber gibbosum among Douglas fir. Image courtesy of Gregory Bonito.

Tuber gibbosum

Within the framework of the "1000 Fungal Genomes Project (1KFG): Deep Sequencing of Ecologically-relevant Dikarya" (CSP1974) we sequenced the genome and transcriptome of Tuber gibbosum GB_Tgibb2. In the 1KFG project, genome sequences will be generated for keystone lineages of saprophytic, mycorrhizal, and endophytic fungi that are of special ecological importance and will provide comparative genomics resources. Several species with sequenced genomes 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.

Tuber gibbosum, commonly known as Oregon white truffle, belongs to the Tuberaceae (Pezizales, Pezizomycetes) and it is native to North America. This ectomycorrhizal fungus often associates with Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii) where it fruits naturally in young stands in Oregon, California, Washington and British Columbia (see Figure). Due to its remarkable aromatic qualities, a cottage industry has developed in the Pacific Northwest around T. gibbosum over the past 40 years1.

Phylogenetically, T. gibbosum belongs to a clade of whitish truffles that is native to North America and endemic to the Pacific Northwest2. Comparative genomics of this species and other Pezizales will provide novel insights into the evolution of the symbiotic life-style in the Tuberaceae, an early diverging lineage of ascomycetes.

Researchers who wish to publish analyses using data from unpublished CSP genomes are respectfully required to contact the PI and JGI to avoid potential conflicts on data use and coordinate other publications with the CSP master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

1. Benucci GMN, Lefevre C, Bonito G (2016) Characterizing root-associated fungal communities and soils of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) stands that naturally produce Oregon white truffles (Tuber oregonense and Tuber gibbosum). Mycorrhiza 26(5): 367-76 doi 10.1007/s00572-015-0677-9.

2. Bonito GM, Trappe JM, Rawlinson P, Vilgalys R (2010). Improved resolution of major clades within Tuber and taxonomy of species within the Tuber gibbosum complex. Mycologia, 102 5, 1042-57 doi 10.3852/09-213