Molecular phylogeny, biogeography and evolution of tropical African Thelephorales

毛菌目(蘑菇目、担子菌门)是一个单一的外生菌根真菌群，目前共有两科177种。尽管它们分布在世界各地，但热带地区的头唇目动物却鲜有文献记载。利用对子实体和外生菌根的解剖学和分子研究相结合的方法，本项目旨在探讨热带非洲物种的系统发育地位及其与总体而言的头菌目进化解释的相关性。标本(子实体和ECM)将在非洲热带林地和以外生菌根树为主的森林中采集，主要分布在两个主要的巨型树种。我们根据植被和区系组成的变化来选择巨型群系，以便更好地评估这两个参数对毛目动物多样性和分布的影响。收集的子实体和细胞外基质将被保存，以供进一步的解剖学和分子研究。此外，子实体的干燥材料将从国际草本植物中借用。对于属内系统发育评估，我们将扩增rDNA的内部转录间隔区，对于属水平系统发育，我们将扩增部分核rDNA大亚基(LSU)。我们将对我们将产生的序列进行系统发育分析，以对抗那些从温带和北方象形目物种获得的序列(可在公共Genbank中获得)。将按照国际公认的方法，对具有代表性的子实体和ECM进行解剖学描述。我们的目标是撰写一本热带非洲常见的犀牛目的专著，并结合在线交互识别检索表、ECM的分子和解剖学特征、新物种的描述以及它们的系统发育位置。

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.