Home • Hydnum rufescens UP504 v2.0
Hydnum rufescens
Photo: Fruiting bodies of Hydnum rufescens (© Francis Martin, INRA).

Within the framework of the CSP 'Metatranscriptomics of Forest Soil Ecosystems' and the 1000 Fungal Genomes (1KFG) project, we are aiming to explore the interaction of forest trees with communities of soil fungi, including ectomycorrhizal symbionts that dramatically affect tree growth, and saprotrophic soil fungi impacting carbon sequestration in forests. We are sequencing the genome of the most abundant fungal species harvested on studied long-term observatories to provide sufficient taxonomic coverage of fungal genomes to identify and analyze DNA and RNA samples sequenced from environmental samples.

The Terracotta Hedgehog

Hydnum rufescens Schaeff. is a popular edible basidiomycete of the family Hydnaceae (Cantharellales). It is sometime considered a variety of a commoner toothed mushroom, the Hedgehog Mushroom, Hydnum repandum. H. rufescens is an ectomycorrhizal symbiont of Norway spruce and other conifers, occasionally with hardwoods; often forming rings or arcs among the moss and leaf litter of the forest floor. The culture of the isolate UP504 was obtained from fresh sporocarp material from fruiting bodies collected under Pinus abies and P. sylvestris in Uppsala (Sweden) by Dr. Andy Taylor. The genome of H. rufescens will contribute to our understanding of the biochemical and enzymatic properties of ectomycorrhizal fungi and their role in terrestrial ecosystems and global carbon cycling. The genome sequences of the orchid mycorrhizal fungus Tulasnella calospora and the wood decayer Botryobasidium botryosum are closely related sequenced genomes that can be used in comparative genomics to identify lifestyle-related gene repertoires in the Cantharellales.

The 'Metatranscriptomics of Forest Soil Ecosystems' and the 1KFG projects are large collaborative efforts aiming for master publication(s). As always, please contact the PI associated with unpublished 1KFG genomes for permission prior to the use of any data in publications. Contact for H. rufescens: Francis Martin (INRA).

Genome Reference(s)