Intragenomic variation in the ITS rDNA region obscures phylogenetic relationships and inflates estimates of operational taxonomic units in genus Laetiporus

Daniel Lindner; Mark T. Banik

doi:10.3852/10-331

Treesearch

Intragenomic variation in the ITS rDNA region obscures phylogenetic relationships and inflates estimates of operational taxonomic units in genus Laetiporus

Formally Refereed

Authors:

Daniel Lindner, Mark T. Banik

Year:

2011

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Northern Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3852/10-331

Source:

Mycologia. 103(4): 731-740.

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Abstract

Regions of rDNA are commonly used to infer phylogenetic relationships among fungal species and as DNA barcodes for identification. These regions occur in large tandem arrays, and concerted evolution is believed to reduce intragenomic variation among copies within these arrays, although some variation still might exist. Phylogenetic studies typically use consensus sequencing, which effectively conceals most intragenomic variation, but cloned sequences containing intragenomic variation are becoming prevalent in DNA databases. To understand effects of using cloned rDNA sequences in phylogenetic analyses we amplified and cloned the ITS region from pure cultures of six Laetiporus species and one Wolfiporia species (Basidiomycota, Polyporales).

Keywords

evolution, Fungi, internal transcribed spacer region, intragenomic variation, molecular drive, sulfur shelf

Citation

Lindner, Daniel L.; Banik, Mark T. 2011. Intragenomic variation in the ITS rDNA region obscures phylogenetic relationships and inflates estimates of operational taxonomic units in genus Laetiporus. Mycologia. 103(4): 731-740.