MOLECULAR STUDIES REVEAL A SPECIATION PROCESS WITHIN RYVARDENIA CRETACEA (POLYPORALES, BASIDIOMYCOTA)

RAJCHENBERG MARIO; PILDAIN MARÍA BELÉN

KURTZIANA

MUSEO BOTÁNICO

Lugar: Córdoba; Año: 2012 vol. 37 p. 7 - 13

0075-7314

rDNA sequentiation and phylogenetic analysis of the ITS region of strains of the brown- rot polypore Ryvardenia cretacea from Australia (Tasmania, Victoria) and Argentina (Patagonia) and its phylogenetic analysis revealed the existence of two well supported clades. Each clade appears restricted to one side of the Pacific indicating a strong biogeographical isolation between isolates and populations in the process of speciation. Nevertheless, detailed studies and comparisons did not show the existence of significant morphological differences. This fact, coupled with previously reported dikaryon x monokaryon mating tests which showed biological compatibility between specimens from both regions, supports the maintenance of a complex but taxonomically single entity.