Phylogeographic relationships in the polypore fungus P ycnoporus inferred from molecular data

The genus P ycnoporus forms a group of four species known especially for producing high redox potential laccases suitable for white biotechnology. A sample of 36 P ycnoporus strains originating from different geographical areas was studied to seek informative molecular markers for the typing of new strains in laboratory culture conditions and to analyse the phylogeographic relationships in this cosmopolitan group. ITS 1‐5.8 S ‐ ITS 2 ribosomal DNA and partial regions of β‐tubulin and laccase lac3‐1 gene were sequenced. Phylogenetic trees inferred from these sequences clearly differentiated the group of P ycnoporus cinnabarinus strains from the group of P ycnoporus puniceus strains into strongly supported clades (100% bootstrap value). Molecular clustering based on lac 3‐1 sequences enabled the distribution of P ycnoporus sanguineus and P ycnoporus coccineus through four distinct, well supported clades and sub‐clades. A neotropical sub‐clade, grouping the P . sanguineus strains from F rench G uiana and V enezuela, corresponded to P . sanguineus sensu stricto . A paleotropical sub‐clade, clustering the strains from M adagascar, V ietnam and N ew C aledonia, was defined as P ycnoporus cf. sanguineus . The Australian clade corresponded to P . coccineus sensu stricto . The E astern A sian region clade, clustering the strains from C hina and J apan, formed a P . coccineus ‐like group. Laccase gene ( lac 3‐1 ) analysis within the Pycnoporus species can highlight enzyme functional diversity associated with biogeographical origin.