Host-associated Intraspecific Phenotypic Variation in the Saprobic Fungus Phlebiopsis gigantea.

ABSTRACT: Whether intraspecific phenotypic variation in saprobic fungi may be driven by the host of origin has received little attention. We addressed this issue by testing hypotheses using the model system Phlebiopsis gigantea, a wood destroying fungus associated with Picea abies and Pinus sylvestris, among others, and widely employed in practical forestry as a biological control agent. By examining approximately 60 sympatric P. gigantea isolates from both P. abies and P. sylvestris, we showed that the former grew in vitro significantly (P < 0.05) slower than the latter (average 5.56 mm/day vs. 6.84) while producing 1.8-fold significantly higher number of mitospores. An overall significant trade-off between these two phenotypic traits was detected, in particular for isolates originating from P. abi

SUBMITTER: Klavina D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10497652 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature