Plant Diversity ›› 2009, Vol. 31 ›› Issue (S16): 39-51.

• Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

North American Truffles in the Tuberaceae: Molecular and Morphological Perspectives

Bonito Gregory1, Trappe James M. 2 * , Vilgalys Rytas1   

  1. 1 Department of Biology , Duke University , Durham, Nor th Carolina 27708 U.S. A. ;
    2 Department of Forest Science , Oregon State University , Corvallis, Oregon 97331-5752 U.S. A.
  • Online:2009-12-25 Published:2009-12-25
  • Contact: Trappe James M.

Abstract: The truffle genus Tuber ( Ascomycota , Pezizales, Tuberaceae) produces underground mushrooms widely sought as edible fungi . Tuber species are distributed throughout Northern hemisphere forests and form obligate ectomycorrhizal symbiosis with trees within the Pinaceae , Fagaceae, Betulaceae, and Juglandaceae . Of the approximately 100 species of
Tuber worldwide, half are suspected to be endemic to North America . In this study we use multiple genetic loci to assess patterns of phylogenetic diversity within Tuber in order to infer species boundaries and to define morphological and phylogeographic species groupings . Seven major clades were resolved ( Aestivum, Melanosporum, Rufum, Canaliculatum , Gibbosum,
Puberulum, and Maculatum) . Two morphologically distinctive species T. asa & T. excavatum were unresolved. The three most specious clades of Tuber ( Rufum , Puberulum, Maculatum) are distributed across Europe , Asia , and
North America and are comprised mainly of non- commercial species .

Key words: Taxonomy

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