DNA-based identification and phylogeny of North American Armillaria species

Abstract

Because Armillaria species display different ecological behaviors across diverse forest ecosystems, it is critical to identify Armillaria species accurately for any assessment of forest health. To further develop DNA-based identification methods, partial sequences of the translation elongation factor-1 alpha (EF-1α) gene were used to examine the phylogenetic relationship among 30 isolates representing the ten North American Armillaria species: A. solidipes (=A. ostoyae), A. gemina, A. calvescens, A. sinapina, A. mellea, A. gallica, A. nabsnona, North American Biological Species X, A. cepistipes, and A. tabescens. The phylogenetic relationship inferred using the Maximum Likelihood method revealed separation of all ten North American Armillaria species. Thus, our preliminary results indicate the EF-1α gene could serve as a potential diagnostic tool for distinguishing among currently recognized North American Biological Species of Armillaria.

Citation

Ross-Davis, Amy L.; Hanna, John W.; Klopfenstein, Ned B. 2011. DNA-based identification and phylogeny of North American Armillaria species. In: Fairweather, Mary Lou; Palacios, Patsy, comps. Proceedings of the 58th Annual Western International Forest Disease Work Conference; 2010 October 4-8; Valemount, BC. Flagstaff, AZ: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, AZ Zone Forest Health. p. 129-142.