LEAF-FUNGAL ENDOPHYTES OF NEOTROPICAL GYMNOSPERMS: A CULTURE-BASED, SANGER SEQUENCING AND WHOLE GENOME APPROACH

We provided draft genomes of five cultured fungal endophytes, two from the genus Neofusicoccum spp. and three of Xylaria spp. Two genomes are nearly completed from the accessions Neofusicoccum sp. Z2A and Xylaria sp. Z50. All five genomes are enriched in glycolise hydrolases, fungal Zn(2)-Cys(6) binuclear cluster domain transcription factors and serine proteases. We also find higher diversity of secondary metabolite gene clusters in Xylaria genomes. To our knowledge, this is the first study documenting the diversity of fungal endophytes in a Neotropical gymnosperm and provide a window into endophytic fungi habiting in leaves from tropical plants.