Survey of Lichenized Fungi DNA Barcodes on King George Island (Antarctica): An Aid to Species Discovery
DNA barcoding is a powerful method for the identification of lichenized fungi groups for which the diversity is already well-represented in nucleotide databases, and an accurate, robust taxonomy has been established. However, the effectiveness of DNA barcoding for identification is expected to be li...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-05-01
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| Series: | Journal of Fungi |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/9/5/552 |
| _version_ | 1827741021026385920 |
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| author | Renato Daniel La Torre Daniel Ramos Mayra Doris Mejía Edgar Neyra Edwin Loarte Gisella Orjeda |
| author_facet | Renato Daniel La Torre Daniel Ramos Mayra Doris Mejía Edgar Neyra Edwin Loarte Gisella Orjeda |
| author_sort | Renato Daniel La Torre |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | DNA barcoding is a powerful method for the identification of lichenized fungi groups for which the diversity is already well-represented in nucleotide databases, and an accurate, robust taxonomy has been established. However, the effectiveness of DNA barcoding for identification is expected to be limited for understudied taxa or regions. One such region is Antarctica, where, despite the importance of lichens and lichenized fungi identification, their genetic diversity is far from characterized. The aim of this exploratory study was to survey the lichenized fungi diversity of King George Island using a fungal barcode marker as an initial identification tool. Samples were collected unrestricted to specific taxa in coastal areas near Admiralty Bay. Most samples were identified using the barcode marker and verified up to the species or genus level with a high degree of similarity. A posterior morphological evaluation focused on samples with novel barcodes allowed for the identification of unknown <i>Austrolecia</i>, <i>Buellia</i>, and <i>Lecidea</i> s.l. species. These results contribute to better represent the lichenized fungi diversity in understudied regions such as Antarctica by increasing the richness of the nucleotide databases. Furthermore, the approach used in this study is valuable for exploratory surveys in understudied regions to guide taxonomic efforts towards species recognition and discovery. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T03:35:45Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b01fca5a30f34530ad69ffb28115f3a9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2309-608X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T03:35:45Z |
| publishDate | 2023-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Fungi |
| spelling | doaj.art-b01fca5a30f34530ad69ffb28115f3a92023-11-18T02:02:12ZengMDPI AGJournal of Fungi2309-608X2023-05-019555210.3390/jof9050552Survey of Lichenized Fungi DNA Barcodes on King George Island (Antarctica): An Aid to Species DiscoveryRenato Daniel La Torre0Daniel Ramos1Mayra Doris Mejía2Edgar Neyra3Edwin Loarte4Gisella Orjeda5Laboratorio de Genómica y Bioinformática para la Biodiversidad, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, German Amezaga 375, Lima 15081, PeruHerbario Sur Peruano−Instituto Científico Michael Owen Dillon, Jorge Chavez 610, Arequipa 04001, PeruDirección de Investigación en Glaciares, Instituto Nacional de Investigación en Glaciares y Ecosistemas de Montaña, Centenario 2656, Huaraz 02002, PeruFacultad de Medicina, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Honorio Delgado 430, Lima 15102, PeruFacultad de Ciencias del Ambiente, Universidad Nacional Santiago Antúnez de Mayolo, Centenario 200, Huaraz 02002, PeruLaboratorio de Genómica y Bioinformática para la Biodiversidad, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, German Amezaga 375, Lima 15081, PeruDNA barcoding is a powerful method for the identification of lichenized fungi groups for which the diversity is already well-represented in nucleotide databases, and an accurate, robust taxonomy has been established. However, the effectiveness of DNA barcoding for identification is expected to be limited for understudied taxa or regions. One such region is Antarctica, where, despite the importance of lichens and lichenized fungi identification, their genetic diversity is far from characterized. The aim of this exploratory study was to survey the lichenized fungi diversity of King George Island using a fungal barcode marker as an initial identification tool. Samples were collected unrestricted to specific taxa in coastal areas near Admiralty Bay. Most samples were identified using the barcode marker and verified up to the species or genus level with a high degree of similarity. A posterior morphological evaluation focused on samples with novel barcodes allowed for the identification of unknown <i>Austrolecia</i>, <i>Buellia</i>, and <i>Lecidea</i> s.l. species. These results contribute to better represent the lichenized fungi diversity in understudied regions such as Antarctica by increasing the richness of the nucleotide databases. Furthermore, the approach used in this study is valuable for exploratory surveys in understudied regions to guide taxonomic efforts towards species recognition and discovery.https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/9/5/552Lichen-forming fungiAdmiralty BayDNA barcodingdiversity<i>Austrolecia</i><i>Buellia</i> |
| spellingShingle | Renato Daniel La Torre Daniel Ramos Mayra Doris Mejía Edgar Neyra Edwin Loarte Gisella Orjeda Survey of Lichenized Fungi DNA Barcodes on King George Island (Antarctica): An Aid to Species Discovery Journal of Fungi Lichen-forming fungi Admiralty Bay DNA barcoding diversity <i>Austrolecia</i> <i>Buellia</i> |
| title | Survey of Lichenized Fungi DNA Barcodes on King George Island (Antarctica): An Aid to Species Discovery |
| title_full | Survey of Lichenized Fungi DNA Barcodes on King George Island (Antarctica): An Aid to Species Discovery |
| title_fullStr | Survey of Lichenized Fungi DNA Barcodes on King George Island (Antarctica): An Aid to Species Discovery |
| title_full_unstemmed | Survey of Lichenized Fungi DNA Barcodes on King George Island (Antarctica): An Aid to Species Discovery |
| title_short | Survey of Lichenized Fungi DNA Barcodes on King George Island (Antarctica): An Aid to Species Discovery |
| title_sort | survey of lichenized fungi dna barcodes on king george island antarctica an aid to species discovery |
| topic | Lichen-forming fungi Admiralty Bay DNA barcoding diversity <i>Austrolecia</i> <i>Buellia</i> |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/9/5/552 |
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