Journal of Microbiology

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Taxonomic Revision of the Nematode-Trapping Fungus Arthrobotrys multisecundaria: Juan Li , Jinkui Yang , Lianming Liang , Ke-Qin Zhang; J. Microbiol. 2008;46(5):513-518. Published online October 31, 2008; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-007-0115-6

Abstract: The gene encoding an extracellular serine protease was cloned from Arthrobotrys multisecundaria using degenerate primers. The gene was highly similar (99.26%) to protease Mlx from Monacrosporium microscaphoides. To clarify the taxonomic relationship between these species, genes encoding the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and β-tubulin were also cloned and sequenced from A. multisecundaria and M. microscaphoides, respectively. Homologous analysis of the nuclear (ITS) and protein (β-tubulin) encoding genes showed that the two species of nematode-trapping fungi also shared extensive identity (99.82 and 99.63%, respectively), although they exhibited obvious differences in secondary conidia morphology. Accordingly, a taxonomic revision is recommended, with A. multisecundaria being revised as A. microscaphoides var. multisecundaria. In addition, the identified mutation may better facilitate the study of the sporulation of nematode-trapping fungi.

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