Phylogenetic analysis of the Corticiaceae based on gene sequences of nuclear 18S ribosomal DNAs

The nuclear 18S ribosomal RNA genes of seven corticioid species were sequenced. These sequences were analyzed and compared with those of 24 other species of the order Aphyllophorales and phylogenetic trees were constructed using parsimonious methods. Phylogenetic analyses showed that two species among examined members of the Corticiaceae, Resinicium bicolor and Thanatephorus praticola, are located distantly from the remaining six species. The separation of R. bicolor seems to be phylogenetically significant because it has very unique cystidia. The independent lineage of T. practicola suggests that it is also phylogenetically distinct because it has unusual features like the homobasidium producing secondary spores and the septal ultrastructure of pore cap. Furthermore, Auriscalpium vulgare, Bondarzewia berkeleyi, and Heterobasidion annosum from different families of the Aphyllophorales proved to be closely related to the species of the Corticiaceae. They all have amyloid spores and grouped with Aleurodiscus amorphus, which is a member of the Corticiaceae. The amyloidity of spores seems to be an important character throughout the order of the Aphyllophorales.