Molecular phylogeny, biogeography and evolution of tropical African Thelephorales

菌丝菌门（木耳菌门，担子菌门）是一个单系外生菌根真菌类群，目前包括两个科177种。虽然它们分布在世界各地，但热带地区的大象却鲜有文献记载。本项目结合对果体和外生菌根（EcM）的解剖和分子研究，旨在解决热带非洲物种的系统发育位置及其与一般大象属的进化解释的相关性。将在热带非洲林地和以外生菌根树为主的森林中收集标本（果体和外生菌根）。为了更好地评估植被和区系组成的变化对大类群的多样性和分布的影响，我们选择了大类群。收集到的果体和EcM将被保存以作进一步的解剖和分子研究。此外，果体的干燥材料将从国际植物标本馆借来。对于属内系统发育评估，我们将扩增rDNA的Internal transcriptspacers，对于属级系统发育，我们将扩增部分核rDNA大亚基（LSU）。将对我们生成的序列进行系统发育分析，以对照从温带和北方象属物种获得的序列（可在公共基因库中获得）。将对具有代表性的果体和EcM进行解剖描述；遵循国际公认的方法。我们的目标是一个共同的热带非洲大象的专著，加上一个在线互动识别键，EcM的分子和解剖特征，新物种的描述，并解决他们的系统发育位置。

Thelephorales (Agaricomycetes, Basidiomycota) constitute a monophyletic ectomycorrhizal fungal group that encompasses presently a total of 177 species and two families. Though they have a worldwide distribution, Thelephorales from the tropics are scantily documented. Using a combination of anatomical and molecular studies of fruit bodies and ectomycorrhizae (EcM), the present project aims at addressing the phylogenetic positions of tropical African species and their relevance for the evolutionary interpretation of Thelephorales in general. Specimens (fruit bodies and EcM) will be collected within tropical African woodlands and forests dominated by ectomycorrhizal trees following two major megatransects. We select Megatransects in respect of changes in vegetation and floristic composition in order to better assess the influence of both parameters on diversity and distribution of Thelephorales. Collected fruit bodies and EcM will be conserved for further anatomical and molecular investigations. In addition, dried material of fruit bodies will be borrowed from international herbaria. For intra-generic phylogenetic assessment, we will amplify the Internal Transcribed Spacers of rDNA, and for generic-level phylogeny, partial nuclear rDNA Large SubUnit (LSU). Phylogenetic analysis will be undertaken on sequences we will generate against those obtained from temperate and boreal thelephoroid species (available in public Genbanks). Anatomical description will be given for representative fruit bodies and EcM; following internationally recognised methods. We aim at a monograph of common tropical African Thelephorales coupled with an on-line interactive identification key, molecular and anatomical characterisation of EcM, description of new species, and resolving their phylogenetic positions.