The eco-geographical and phylogenetic analysis of Fomes fomentarius sensu lato (Polyporales, Agaricomycetes) in Armenia

In the current article the revised molecular data of the taxonomic status, as well as eco-geographical distribution and hostpreferences of white rot medicinal fungus Fomes fomentarius sensu lato (Polyporaceae, Agaricomycetes) in Armeniawidely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere was discussed. We carried out phylogenetic analysis of InternalTranscribed Spacers (ITS1 and ITS2) of nuclear rDNA and 5.8S rRNA obtained from 30 samples, including 18 mycelialcollections of genetically heterogeneous medicinal fungus Fomes fomentarius s.l. collected in three floristic regions ofArmenia (Ijevan, Aparan and Yerevan). Analysis showed that this species complex is comprises in two sympatric crypticsublineages, corresponding to taxonomic species Fomes fomentarius sensu stricto and Fomes inzengae. The ratio ofnucleotide divergence (Dxy) between ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 sequences and their nucleotide diversity (π) according to the Hudsonfixation coefficient (FST =0.98) indicates a high genetic differentiation of F. fomentarius s.s. and F. inzengae, confirmingthat these two Fomes species are taxonomically distinct. In Armenia they were only found on deciduous trees: F.fomentarius s.s. on Fagus orientalis and Carpinus betulus, whereas F. inzengae on Acer platanoides, C. betulus, F.orientalis, Fraxinus excelsior, Juglans regia, Populus nigra, Salix alba, and Ulmus laevis. The altitudinal distribution ofhighland F. fomentarius s.s. in north-eastern part of Armenia (Aparan and Ijevan floristic regions) is about 680–1750 ma.s.l., while of lowland species F. inzengae is 680–1650 m a.s.l. (Yerevan, Ijevan and Aparan floristic regions). Thecontact (sympatry) zone where the studied populations of both cryptic species overlap is Ijevan floristic region on C.betulus at about 680–750 m a.s.l. Further studies of geographically different collections of Fomes species using morphoecological,physiological, biochemical and molecular methods are in progress.