MOLECULAR SYSTEMATICS AND EVOLUTIONARY RELATIONSHIPS OF SOME INLAND GILLED BASIDIOMYCETES FROM THE HIMALAYAN MOIST TEMPERATE FORESTS OF PAKISTAN BASED ON rDNA MARKER

Molecular systematics based on molecular markers has revolutionized traditional taxonomy because of its comprehensive identification, precise methodology and reliable evolutionary affinities. In this study, the phylogeographical history data based on DNA analysis of eleven (11) basidiomycetous fungal species belonging to four different genera of four families from Pakistani Himalayan forests has been presented. In the phylogenetic analysis based on ITS-rDNA marker, five species of Lepiota (Agaricaceae), L. acutesquamosa, L. cristata, L. brunneoincarnata L. subincarnata and L. himalayensis, two species of Hebeloma (Hymenogasteraceae), H. mesophaeum and H. theobrominum showed genetic similarity and evolutionary affmities with European species while two (2) Inocybe (Inocybaceae), Inocybe sp. SR19 and I. cf. rimosa and two (2) species of Gymnopus (Marasmiaceae), Gymnopus sp. land Gymnopus sp. 2 showed more symplesiomorphic characters with western and Australian species. Close affinities of Pakistani species (endemic and non-endemic) with European and American species can be related with common evolutionary history in Eurasia and African continents. The sympatric and allopatric isolations due to continental drift and climate change, generated genetic differences among local mycoflora from the western hemisphere and therefore the Pakistani species mostly showed close affinities with western species as both have common origin.