Project Detail

Fungi of the Ceratostomella complex and similar ascomycetes (black necks and hyaline ascospores) are of convergent origin?

Name:	Fungi of the Ceratostomella complex and similar ascomycetes (black necks and hyaline ascospores) are of convergent origin?
Researchers:	Štěpánek Václav (member in research team)
Provider:	GA ČR
Number:	GA206/09/0547
Realization from:	2009
Realization to:	2011
Summary:	Research is based on hypothesized convergent origins (LSU rDNA sequences) of taxa of the Ceratostomella complex and morphologically similar lignicolous ascomycetes. The fungal group is phylogenetically neglected and taxonomically unreadable. From 6 discovered evolutionary lineages 3 taxonomically and phylogenetically most diverse were selected. Study is based on morpho-taxonomy, in vitro experiments and novel approaches of multigene analysis of RNA/protein-coding genes (LSU, SSU, RPB2), structural phylogenetics, 2D prediction to maximize use of phylogenetic signal. Novel techniques are designed to assess and unlock self-inhibitory mechanisms of spore germination. With aid of multidisciplinary methodology and current systematic-phylogenetic knowledge of the Ceratostomella complex we shall verify their convergent origins, reconstruct evolutionary history of 3 main phylogenetic lineages, prepare revision study of taxa of calosphaeriaceous lineage and calosphaeria-like taxa, stabilize generic and species concepts and obtain living type and other cultures from freshly collected material.