Abstract Detail

Bryology and Lichenology

Pfeffer, Bubba [1], Stewart, Heather [1], Lendemer, James [2], Allen, Jessica [1].

Draft genome assembly and mating-type (MAT) locus characterization of three leprose asexual lichens: Lepraria lanata, Lepraria finkii, and Lepraria neglecta.

Fungal reproductive strategies are exceedingly diverse. Lichens, which represent approximately one-fifth of species diversity in fungi, require nutrition from a photobiont to complete their life cycles, and thus have complex reproductive life histories. Typical sexual reproduction in Ascomycota is controlled by a single MAT locus, which may consist of the MAT1-2 and MAT1-1 idiomorphs in addition to highly conserved peripheral transcription factors. Here, we report draft genome assemblies of three closely related asexual lichens in the genus Lepraria, including characterization of MAT loci for each of them. Lepraria has never been observed to produce sexual structures and is thus assumed to be obligately asexual. Discovery of conserved, functional copies of MAT genes and peripheral transcription factors raise questions about the reproduction of Lepraria and about the function of MAT genes more broadly.

1 - Eastern Washington University, Biology, 258 Science Building, Cheney, WA, 99004, United States
2 - The New York Botanical Garden, Institute Of Systematic Botany, 200th Street And Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY, 10458, United States

Keywords:
Fungal Mating Systems
asexual reproduction
genome assembly
comparative genomics
Appalachian Biogeography.

Presentation Type: Poster
Number: PBL002
Abstract ID:469
Candidate for Awards:None