Recombination in Glomus intraradices, a supposed ancient asexual arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus
2009

Recombination in the Asexual Fungus Glomus intraradices

Sample size: 40 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Croll Daniel, Sanders Ian R

Primary Institution: University of Lausanne

Hypothesis

Does Glomus intraradices exhibit recombination despite being considered an ancient asexual fungus?

Conclusion

The study found that Glomus intraradices has undergone recombination while also maintaining clonal lineages.

Supporting Evidence

  • Phylogenetic analysis showed a reticulate network pattern among genotypes.
  • Five statistical tests indicated multiple recombinant regions in the genome.
  • Evidence of recombination was found among five isolates supported by multiple tests.

Takeaway

Scientists studied a type of fungus and found that it can mix its genes, even though it was thought to only reproduce without mixing.

Methodology

Sequencing of 11 polymorphic nuclear loci in 40 isolates from one field to test for recombination.

Potential Biases

Potential biases from using in vitro cultures instead of field-collected samples.

Limitations

The study may not capture all genetic diversity due to the limited number of isolates and loci analyzed.

Participant Demographics

40 morphologically identical isolates from one field in Tänikon, Switzerland.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p < 0.0001

Statistical Significance

p < 0.0001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2148-9-13

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