Amanita aff. conicoverrucosa KIS12 PSC4683 is a medium-sized agaric fungus with a white stem and scaly buff-coloured cap. It is probably an ectomycorrhizal species in a symbiotic association with Eucalyptus diversifolia, the coastal white mallee, supplying the tree with minerals and water in return for products of photosynthesis. E. diversifolia can grow in harsh conditions and in depleted lateritic soils in Western Australia, South Australia, and Victoria. The accompanying field image includes the individual supplying DNA for this genome. The collection was made on Kangaroo Island as part of a project investigating the transition from mushroom like fungi to truffle-like fungi. The truffle-like Amanita species include the secotioid Amanita arenaria, also thought to be ectomycorrizal, which also occurs in the same area of Kangaroo Island. Comparison of the genomes of A. aff. conicoverrucosa and A. arenaria is anticipated to help understand this transition toward a subterranean lifestyle which is believed to be an adaptation to a drying climate, a trait with economic potential in future forestry. We request that researchers wishing to publish analyses of this genome prior to its publication by the consortium to please email [email protected] and JGI for permission.
