A molecular phylogeny of the flagellated fungi (Chytridiomycota) and description of a new phylum (Blastocladiomycota)

Timothy Y. James, Peter M. Letcher, Joyce E. Longcore, Sharon E. Mozley-Standridge, David Porter, Martha J. Powell, Gareth Wyn Griffith, Rytas Vilgalys

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

368 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Chytridiomycota (chytrids) is the only phylum of true Fungi that reproduces with motile spores (zoospores). Chytrids currently are classified into five orders based on habitat, zoospore characters and life cycles. In this paper we estimate the phylogeny of the chytrids with DNA sequences from the ribosomal RNA operon (18S+ 5.8S+ 28S subunits). To our surprise the morphologically reduced parasites Olpidium and Rozella comprise two entirely new, and separate, lineages on the fungal tree. Olpidium brassicae groups among the Zygomycota, and Rozella spp. are the earliest branch to diverge in the fungal kingdom. The phylogeny also suggests that Chytridiomycota is not monophyletic and there are four major lineages of chytrids: Rozella spp., Olpidium brassicae, the Blastocladiales and a 'core chytrid clade' containing the remaining orders and families and the majority of flagellated fungi. Within the core chytrid group 11 subclades can be identified, each of which correlates well with zoospore ultrastructure or morphology. We provide a synopsis of each clade and its morphological circumscription. The Blastocladiales appears to be the sister taxon of most nonflagellated fungi. Based on molecular phylogenetic and ultrastructural characters this order is elevated to a phylum, the Blastocladiomycota.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)860-871
Number of pages12
JournalMycologia
Volume98
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2006

Keywords

  • Blastocladiomycota
  • Chytridiales
  • holocarpic
  • kinetosome
  • phylogeny
  • zoospore ultrastructure

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A molecular phylogeny of the flagellated fungi (Chytridiomycota) and description of a new phylum (Blastocladiomycota)'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this