Genetic variation within Podosphaera tridactyla reveals a paraphyletic species complex with biological specialization towards specific Prunus subgenera

• Published in: Mycological research Vol. 109; no. 3; pp. 357 - 362
• Main Authors: CUNNINGTON, James H., LAWRIE, Ann C., PASCOE, Ian G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.03.2005; Elsevier Ltd
• Subjects: Ascomycota - classification; Ascomycota - genetics; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer - analysis; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer - genetics; Genetic Variation; geographical variation; internal transcribed spacers; Phylogeny; plant pathogenic fungi; Podosphaera; Podosphaera tridactyla var. tridactyla; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; powdery mildew; Prunus; Prunus - microbiology; ribosomal DNA; New Zealand; Australia; South Korea
• ISSN: 0953-7562; 1469-8102
• DOI: 10.1017/S0953756204002072

Podosphaera tridactyla (Ascomycota: Erysiphales) is a morphologically variable species occurring on Prunus s. lat. In order to assess the genetic variation within this species, the rDNA ITS region was amplified from 29 specimens from a range of Prunus species collected in Australia, Switzerland, and Korea. RFLP analysis of the PCR products revealed six groups, and a comparison of sequences from representatives of these groups revealed three clades: Clade 1 contained all specimens from Prunus subgen. Prunus; Clade 2 specimens from a variety of Prunus subgenera, except subgen. Prunus, and Podosphaera longiseta was closely allied to this clade; and Clade 3 contained two specimens, from Japan and Korea. Phylogenetic analysis comparing P. tridactyla with of a range of Podosphaera species suggests that P. tridactyla is paraphyletic.