Image Credit: Leif Goodwin

This genome was sequenced as a part of the large-scale multi-genome JGI CSP Saprotrophic Agaricomycotina Project (SAP), which focuses on the diversity and evolution of decay mechanisms, organismal phylogenetic relationships, and developmental evolution. A large collaborative effort led by PI of this project, David Hibbett (Clark University) aims for master publication(s) of the SAP data analysis.

The genus Cylindrobasidium belongs to the Physalacriaceae family of the Agaricales. This family includes the well-known pathogen Armillaria mellea (honey mushroom). Unlike that species, however, Cylindrobasidium has a simple, crust-like fruiting body, covering the surface of woody substrate. This so-called resupinate fruiting body type is believed to be ancestral in the Agaricomycetes, independently giving rise to more complex morphologies. Because Cylindrobasidium is closely related to Armillaria, for which a genome sequence is also being produced, this pair of species will provide us with an excellent resource to study the genomic changes underlying changes in complexity level in mushroom fruiting bodies. Understanding the genetic bases of fruiting body evolution in the Agaricomycetes may directly contribute to the improvement of commercial mushroom production. The Cylindrobasidium genome. Together with that of Armillaria, will also contribute to understanding of the genetic bases of switches between decayer and timber pathogen lifestyles.

In addition to fruiting body evolution, the genome sequence of Cylindrobasidium will contribute to understanding the phylogenetic relationships in the Agaricales. Based on previous multi-gene phylogenetic analyses, many of the interfamilial relationships have proven difficult to resolve. This will be greatly facilitated by phylogenomic analyses including Cylindrobasidium.