Phylogeny of Mating Type Locus in The Fusarium oxysporum Species Complex
Open Access
- Author:
- Fehlman, Mikhyle
- Area of Honors:
- Plant Sciences
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- David Michael Geiser, Thesis Supervisor
Dennis R Decoteau, Thesis Honors Advisor - Keywords:
- mycology
taxonomy
bioinformatics
genetics - Abstract:
- The Fusarium oxysporum species complex (FOSC) is an a very pertinent group of plant pathogenic filamentous ascomycotan fungi. The wide host range of this fungus is reflected in the diversity of recognized FOSC lineages. Prior phylogenetic studies in F. oxysporum have concluded that a multiplicity of different clades, and even different species, exist within the FOSC. Determining if the genetic differences found between distinct groups in the FOSC qualifies them as separate lineages or species is an ongoing debate. Lacking any known sexual stage in F. oxysporum, inferences on this matter rely solely on studying the genetic makeup of many isolated FOSC individuals. One important locus that has received little prior attention in F. oxysporum is the mating type locus. Mating type is to fungi what sex determination is to plants and animals. In sexually reproducing populations there is pressure for these idiomorphs to remain conserved, meaning this locus offers a unique view of phylogeny in the FOSC as well as the likelihood of a sexual stage. In this thesis, the multitude of lineages in the FOSC are investigated at the mating type 1 idiomorph, mating type 2 idiomorph, a small concordant fragment of the mating type 2 idiomorph, and the flanking regions of the mating type locus. A bioinformatics approach is used to generate phylogenetic trees of these genetic sequences. These are then used to draw conclusions about the delineation of the FOSC and the fecundity of this fungus.