Gelasinospora tetrasperma growing in the lab.
Image Credit: Sandrine Cros-Arteil

This genome was sequenced as part of the JGI CSP 1KFG - Deep Sequencing of Ecologically-relevant Dikarya, whose goal is to fill in gaps in the Fungal Tree of Life by sequencing at least two reference genomes from the more than 500 recognized families of Fungi. This project additionally aims to inform research on plant-microbe interactions, microbial emission and capture of greenhouse gasses, and environmental metagenomic sequencing.

The sequenced Neurospora tetraspora (Gelasinospora tetrasperma) isolate CBS 560.94 has been isolated from coniferous duff in mixed forest. It belongs to Lasiosphaeriaceae II sensu (Kruys, Huhndorf et al. 2015). Gelasinospora species can be isolated from soil, dung or seeds (Cain 1950). Morphological observations and sequence data suggest that the genus Gelasinospora is not distinct from the genus Neurospora, and the two genera can be considered synonyms (García, Stchigel et al. 2004). Sordariales is a taxonomically rich group containing ca. 35 genera (Huhndorf, Miller et al. 2004, Kruys, Huhndorf et al. 2015), spanning more than 75 million years of association with plant biomass (Saupe, Clavé et al. 2000). Sordariales can be sampled on a range of substrates such as dung, wood, leaves, litter, burned vegetation, biological soil crusts and soil; most are saprobes, but some live in close association with plants as endophytes and few have been described as pathogens. Sordariales also exhibit striking differences in temperature requirements, ranging from mesophilic to thermophilic. Unraveling the genomic features responsible for their ability to efficiently forage their substrate will represent foundational information for understanding the role of saprophilous, lignicolous, herbicolous and coprophilous fungi in nutrient and energy flows within ecosystems. In addition, these resources will facilitate the rational design of improved thermophilic and/or biomass degrading fungal host strains, and help field studies aiming to predict responses of fungal communities to environmental changes, such as global warming.

Researchers who wish to publish analyses using data from unpublished CSP genomes are respectfully required to contact the PI and JGI to avoid potential conflicts on data use and coordinate other publications with the CSP master paper(s).

References:

• Cain, R. F. (1950). "Studies of coprophilous ascomycetes: I. Gelasinospora." Canadian Journal of Research 28(5): 566-576.
• García, D., A. M. Stchigel, J. Cano, J. Guarro and D. L. Hawksworth (2004). "A synopsis and re-circumscription of Neurospora (syn. Gelasinospora) based on ultrastructural and 28S rDNA sequence data." Mycological research 108(10): 1119-1142.
• Huhndorf, S. M., A. N. Miller and F. A. Fernández (2004). "Molecular systematics of the Sordariales: the order and the family Lasiosphaeriaceae redefined." Mycologia 96(2): 368-387.
• Kruys, Å., S. M. Huhndorf and A. N. Miller (2015). "Coprophilous contributions to the phylogeny of Lasiosphaeriaceae and allied taxa within Sordariales (Ascomycota, Fungi)." Fungal Diversity 70(1): 101-113.
• Saupe, S. J., C. Clavé, M. Sabourin and J. Bégueret (2000). "Characterization of hch, the Podospora anserina homolog of the het-c heterokaryon incompatibility gene of Neurospora crassa." Current genetics 38(1): 39-47.