Molecular characterization of Morchella spp. in the flora of Turkey

A collection of 490 morels (Morchella spp.) was made from different provinces of Turkey during 2007-2008 in order to determine Morel species grown in Turkey flora and compare them with species of other region of world. Molecular analyses of this collection were made in laboratories of Bacterial Foodborne and Mycology Department of United States Department of Agriculture (USDA-Peoria, Illinois). The collection was analyzed individually and combined for species diversity using phylogenetic analyses of protein-coding genes, RNA polymerase I (RPB1), RNA polymerase II (RPB2), translation elongation factor (EF1-?) and nuclear ribosomal large subunit (28S, LSU) rDNA gene sequences. Also nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA sequences were generated within a species-rich lineage within the M. elata clade designated the Elata Subclade. Molecular analyses of 18 Morel samples from Swedish Museum of Natural History were made in this study. DNA sequences of Turkey species were assessed together with Sweden species and phylogenetically distinct species detected in a global survey (O?Donnell et al. 2011). Phylogenetic analyses of the individual and combined dataset of gene sequences indicated that the Elata Clade (black morels) and Esculenta Clade (yellow morels) in Turkey were represented by 15 and 5 species, respectively. Seven of 15 the Elata Clade species and two of 5 within the Esculenta Clade were only detected in Turkey, and these species were evaluated endemic for Turkey.