Molecular phylogeny of Taxa in the Rhizopogon Subgenus Roseoli from Pine plantations in Patagonia, Argentina. La Antigua, Guatemala. 29 jul-3ago.

PILDAIN M.B. ; VISNOVSKY S.; BARROETAVEÑA C.

La Antigua

Workshop; 7th International Workshop on Edible Mycorrhizal Mushrooms.; 2013

Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala,

Rhizopogon is a nonnative ectomycorrhizal fungi associated with Pinus spp. and Pseudotsuga menziesii plantations in Patagonia. The greatest diversity of this genus can be found in the coniferous forests of the Pacific northwestern United States. At least 4 introduced species of Rhizopogon have been reported in Patagonia, Argentina, including the widely distributed and abundant R. roseolus, besides R. ellenae, R. villosulus and R. subolivascens. In Japan, R. roseolus, locally known as Shoro, is considered a delicacy. Its production is strictly dependent on carpophores collection in the field, and their price depends on the location they come from. Taxonomic reexamination of Rhizopogon using phylogenetic analyses of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) DNA sequences separate five possible phylogenetic species. The aims of this study were to characterize Rhizopogon collections from Pinus radiata and P. ponderosa afforestation in Patagonia using DNA sequences, and to determine their phylogenetic relationships with other Rhizopogon species. DNA sequences from the ITS nuc-DNA was used. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that R. roseolus specimens from Patagonia grouped in 3 clades, one closely related with those from the United States and New Zealand, a small group related to japanse R. roselous and a third one in a clade showing genetic variation of the Patagonian Rhizopogon. Also some collections represented a different species within Rhizopogon genus that must be studied. Matching molecular strains with organoleptic/morphological characters and define areas with strains of higher culinary values would provide useful information for the commercial exploitation of this species.