DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Systematics and Biogeography of the Genus Hysterangium (Basidiomycota, Phallales)

已向俄勒冈州州立大学的Joseph Spatafora博士和Mr. Herraro Hoelman先生提供一笔赠款，以进行“Hysterangium属的系统学和植物学”研究。 Hysterangium是一种形成蘑菇的真菌，在地下产生子实体。与许多地上蘑菇不同，它们可以通过风来传播孢子，Hysterangium的孢子只有在被动物食用并与它们的粪便一起沉积时才会传播。这一事实意味着长距离（例如，洲际）的传播是不可能的。然而，Hysterangium的分布是世界性的。这可以通过以下假设来解释：Hysterangium是一种相当古老的生物，其目前的分布是由超大陆Pangea的分裂造成的。重要的是，Hysterangium与许多不同的树种形成了菌根（与根的有益关系）。因为这些关系是特定的，所以Hysterangium和宿主树可能是同种的。本研究的总体目标是通过收集和分析DNA序列，为Hysterangium的地理分布和物种形成提供可靠的假设。为了实现这一目标，将对以前代表性不足的地区、巴布亚新几内亚、新喀里多尼亚和新西兰进行实地考察，特别强调Nothofagus（南部山毛榉）森林。它产生丰富的子实体，许多动物在饮食中严重依赖这种地下蘑菇。此外，菌根与寄主树木的关系是互惠的。调查假山毛榉森林的Hysterangium植物群提供了对这些生态系统的更清楚的了解，这反过来又有助于更适当的森林管理。尽管真菌是地球上最多样化的生物群体之一，但真菌的地理学却知之甚少。本研究将有助于更准确地了解以Hysterangium为模式生物的菌根真菌的地理分布和共生模式。

A grant has been awarded to Dr. Joseph Spatafora and Mr. Kentaro Hosaka at Oregon State University to conduct the study "Systematics and biogeography of the genus Hysterangium". Hysterangium is a genus of mushroom-forming fungi that produces fruiting bodies below ground. Unlike many of the above ground mushrooms, which can disperse their spores by wind, Hysterangium's spores are only dispersed when consumed by animals and deposited with their feces. This fact implies that long distance (e.g., intercontinental) dispersal of Hysterangium is improbable. The distribution of Hysterangium, however, is worldwide. This can be explained by the hypothesis that Hysterangium is a rather ancient organism and its present distribution was caused by the breakup of the supercontinent Pangaea. Importantly, Hysterangium forms mycorrhizae (beneficial relationships with the roots) with many different tree species. Because these relationships are specific, Hysterangium and host trees may have cospeciated. The overall goal of this study is to develop robust hypotheses for biogeography and cospeciation of Hysterangium by collecting and analyzing DNA sequences. To achieve this goal, field expeditions to previously underrepresented areas, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia, and New Zealand, will be conducted with a special emphasis on the Nothofagus (southern beech) forests.Hysterangium is an important component of forest ecosystems. It produces abundant fruiting bodies, and many animals are heavily dependent on such below ground mushrooms in their diet. Also, mycorrhizal relationships of Hysterangium and host trees are mutualistic. Surveying the Hysterangium flora of Nothofagus forests provides a more clear understanding of these ecosystems, which in turn facilitates more proper forest management. Despite the fact that fungi are one of the most diverse groups of organisms on earth, biogeography of fungi is poorly understood. This study will provide more accurate understanding of biogeographic and cospeciation patterns of mycorrhizal fungi with Hysterangium as a model organism.