Entoloma is a large genus with about 1000 species worldwide of mostly mushroom-like fungi that produce their spores on gills. A few Entoloma sp., such as this rare species Entoloma gasteromycetoides, are truffle-like, producing their more-or-less spherical spore bodies underground, under leaf litter or just breaking the ground surface. Here, the spore-bearing surface is produced on highly convoluted plates creating a sponge-like texture to the interior, with labyrinth-like spaces in between. The spores of E. gastermycetoides are known to be dispersed by mycophagous mammals, as their distinctive angular spores have been found in the scats of bettongs and potoroos. Most Entoloma sp. are presumed to be saprotrophs, consuming organic matter, but at least one lineage forms atypical mycorrhiza-like associations with plants in the family Rosaceae providing the plant with water and minerals in exchange for products of photosynthesis. Characterisation of the genome of E. gasteromycetoides TAS9 PSC4662 should clarify whether it is a saprotroph or mycorrhizal. Comparison of the E. gasteromycetoides TAS9 PSC4662 genome with those of closely related mushroom-like species will contribute to an understanding of the evolutionary changes leading to the truffle-like morphology. 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.
