Sexuality and interactions of monokaryotic and dikaryotic mycelia of Ganoderma boninense

• Published in: Mycological research Vol. 106; no. 11; pp. 1315 - 1322
• Main Authors: PILOTTI, Carmel A., SANDERSON, Frank R., AITKEN, Elizabeth A. B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.11.2002; Elsevier Ltd; Elsevier
• Subjects: alleles; Biological and medical sciences; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fungal plant pathogens; Fungi; Ganoderma boninense; loci; mycelium; Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection; Plant cytology, morphology, systematics, chorology and evolution; population; siblings; Systematics. Morphology. Development cycle. Physiology; Thallophyta; Papua New Guinea; Melanesia; Oceania; Dikaryon; Incompatibility; Natural population; Genetic variability; Monokaryon; Interaction; Basidiomycetes; Sexual reproduction; Fungi; Antagonism; Vegetative compatibility; Wood destroying fungi; Intraspecific comparison; Mating type; Thallophyta
• ISSN: 0953-7562; 1469-8102
• DOI: 10.1017/S0953756202006755

Ganoderma boninense was determined to be heterothallic and tetrapolar with multiple alleles at both mating type loci. Mycelial interactions amongst siblings were assessed to determine if closely related isolates of G. boninense exhibited vegetative incompatibility. Interactions amongst monokaryotic and dikaryotic mycelia generally grouped into four categories ranging from strong antagonism to the absence of antagonism. Pairing of dikaryotic mycelia always resulted in antagonism and the degree of antagonism generally correlated with the relatedness of the isolates. Genetically different dikaryons therefore constitute discrete individuals. This is the first report of such interactions in G. boninense and these findings provide the basis for further studies on natural populations of this species.