Phialocephala subalpina UAMH11012 genome sequencing. Phialocephala subalpina UAMH11012

Species belonging to the Phialocephala fortinii s.l. – Acephala applanata species complex (PAC) are among the most frequent endophytes isolated from apparently healthy roots in natural forest systems in the Northern hemisphere. In contrast to ectomycorrhizal fungi that are restricted to primary roots, PAC species occur on all parts of the root system of trees from mycorrhizal root tips to coarse roots at the stem base. PAC species form communities of up to 8 species occurring sympatrically. Phialocephala subalpina is the most frequently isolated species within PAC and recent studies showed that strains of this and other PAC species behave along the mutualism–antagonism continuum. Nevertheless, little is known about the ecology of these frequent root colonizers. In the present study, the genome of P. subalpina was sequenced to get insight in the genome structure and to draw some conclusions on the life style of PAC species. Moreover, PAC species might be of interest for comparative genomic studies on mycorrhizae as they were regularly isolated from mycorrhizal root tips and for sure interact with mycorrhizal fungi. In addition a closely related species of PAC (Acephala macrosclerotiorum) is ectomycorrhizal.