Molecular Characterization and Phylogenetic Analysis of Some Agaricomycetes (Mushroom) Fungi from Kogi State, Central Nigeria

The diversity and distribution of mushroom-forming fungi of the three senatorial zones of Kogi state was studied. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to assess twelve randomly selected plots mapped out across the study area during the rainy and early dry seasons of 2014, 2015 and 2016. Identification of selected mushrooms was done through morphological and molecular characterization. Fungi description was initially based on morphometric characters. For the molecular characterization, rDNA was used in a micro satellite PCR technique using ITS1 and ITS4. Forty wild mushrooms were amplified using genomic DNA isolated from their mycelial culture. The amplified products revealed 450 to 650 base pairs. The molecular data obtained from Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) using microsatellite DNA amplification techniques characterized a total forty wild mushrooms species most of which had 99% similarity with other mushrooms when subjected to blasting. Mushroom sample 14S (Trametes sp) matched 100% Trametes polyzona ascension number JN848329.1 while 2S, S8, 22S, 20S, S3 and S6 mushroom samples have 99% percentage similarities with Daldinia eschscholtzii (KP012909.1), Leiotrametes flavida (KC589131.1), Lentinus squarrosulus (JQ428823.1 1), Lentinus sp. (JQ428823.1 2), Auricularia polytricha (FJ617296.1) and Tricholoma matsutake (MF037408.1) respectively. Furthermore, the result of the molecular analysis and phylogenetic relationship revealed that two (2) new species of mushrooms, never reported were been identified