Genetic variability of Flammulina velutipes collections from Armenia

Abstract

Armenian collections of Flammulina velutipes were examined for DNA sequence variability within the ribosomal ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region. Of 22 F. velutipes collections examined, several were heterozygous for two indels and were cloned to recover complete ribosomal ITS sequences. Genetic diversity was remarkably high in collections from Armenia when compared to collections from other parts of Eurasia. Haplotypes were assayed by phylogenetic analysis using maximum parsimony. At least 16 haplotypes were recovered (collections were defined as the same haplotype if they differed by no more than two base pairs). Most natural collections were heterozygous with respect to haplotype, suggesting an interbreeding, genetically divergent population of fungi. This high level sequence diversity may be a consequence of survival of ancient genetic variation in the Caucasus and in Armenia during periods of glaciation while in Europe, genetic variation was extirpated. A subset of Armenian genetic diversity is found in Europe.