PHYLOGENETIC RELATIONSHIPS AND REVIEW OF THE SPECIES OF AURICULARIA (FUNGI: BASIDIOMYCETES) IN COLOMBIA

the phylogenetic relationship of the species of the genus auricularia and its allied taxa were investigated using the internal transcribed spacer (its) sequences of nuclear dna. a molecular phylogenetic tree constructed using a total of 17 samples representing five species and two outgroups indicate that the species of auricularia form a monophyletic group. within the genus auricularia, a. mesenterica is basal and the remaining auricularia species form three clades; first clade consisted of a. auricula-judae; the second clade of a. fuscosuccinea, and the third clade of a. polytricha.