Fungal Internal Transcribed Spacer RNA (ITS) RefSeq Targeted Loci Project. Fungi

This project is a component of the RefSeq Targeted Loci (RTL) project, specifically focused on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences in Fungi. RefSeq ITS records are identified by an NR_ prefix and are curated primarily from type material — the reference specimens on which species descriptions are based. The project ensures that associations between species names, type specimens, and sequences are verified. The collection source of type material is indicated in each record and collection acronyms follows the collection codes maintained at the NCBI BioCollections database, facilitating traceability and re-evaluation. The dataset originated from type material which is associated with over 500 fungal collections worldwide and RefSeq ITS records are closely integrated with NCBI’s Taxonomy database, which maintains updated taxonomic names, synonyms, collection codes, and type material identifiers. The curation scope excludes taxonomically invalid names. Sequence quality is verified and expected to span the full ITS1–5.8S–ITS2 region to support accurate species-level identification. All sequences will have the same project ID and can be found as such.