The pitfalls of rDNA-based AMF identification: a comparative analysis of rDNA and protein-coding genes.

ABSTRACT: Intragenomic polymorphism of rDNA in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) has been largely overlooked in ecological and taxonomic studies, and the reliability of nuclear rDNA regions for species identification has not been comprehensively evaluated and compared with protein-coding genes. Analysis of rDNA copies from Rhizophagus irregularis strains revealed average intragenomic distances ranging from 0.08% (small subunit) to 6.9% (internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2)), with a maximum of 21.1% in ITS1 within strain DAOM 197198. Intragenomic rDNA polymorphisms are widespread throughout the AM fungal phylogeny, as confirmed by single nucleotide polymorphism density analysis and PacBio sequencing of 148 AM fungal cultures representing 44 species. All commonly targeted rDNA loci in ecological and

SUBMITTER: Stefani F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12489285 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature