High diversity and morphological convergence among melanised fungi from rock formations in the Central Mountain System of Spain.

ABSTRACT: Melanised fungi were isolated from rock surfaces in the Central Mountain System of Spain. Two hundred sixty six isolates were recovered from four geologically and topographically distinct sites. Microsatellite-primed PCR techniques were used to group isolates into genotypes assumed to represent species. One hundred and sixty three genotypes were characterised from the four sites. Only five genotypes were common to two or more sites. Morphological and molecular data were used to characterise and identify representative strains, but morphology rarely provided a definitive identification due to the scarce differentiation of the fungal structures or the apparent novelty of the isolates. Vegetative states of fungi prevailed in culture and in many cases could not be reliably distinguished withou

SUBMITTER: Ruibal C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2846131 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature