| title: | Species delimitation and phylogenetic relationships in the fungal genera of Hypomyces and Cladobotryum (Hypocreales, Ascomycota) |
|---|---|
| reg no: | ETF4994 |
| project type: | Estonian Science Foundation research grant |
| subject: |
1.13. Botany |
| status: | completed |
| institution: | Institute of Zoology and Botany at Estonian University of Life Sciences |
| head of project: | Kadri Põldmaa |
| duration: | 01.01.2002 - 31.12.2004 |
| description: | In modern mycology the phylogenetic species concept offers a widely used alternative to the morphological and the biological concept. The aim of the current project is to combine these three approaches for clarifying species composition in selected groups of fungi. These comprise members from the ascomycete genus Hypomyces and the anamorph genus Cladobotryum. Our task is to find molecular markers for species delimitation and to provide morphological descriptions and keys for the studied species. This involves describing new species and testing ideas of conspecificity of some teleomorphic and anamorphic species. We intend also to characterize species' phylogenetic relationships and to test the role of host specialization in speciation. Among other tasks, we intend to solve the problem of how many and which species cause the widespread cobweb disease of cultivated mushrooms. Morphological characterization of the species responsible for the disease would provide an easy way for their identification that is of great importance in fighting against the developing fungicide resistance of these pathogens recently observed in mushroom industries. The project consists of four separate studies that deal with different species groups but are similar in their aims and methods. The methods involve analyses of DNA sequences, comparison of morphology and growth rates, and mating experiments. The study is estimated to result in 5 scientific publications. |
| project group | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| no | name | institution | position | |
| 1. | Kadri Põldmaa | Institute of Zoology and Botany, Estonian Agricultural University | researcher | |