Molecular phylogeny of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi Glomus sinuosum and Sclerocystis coremioides

We report the first molecular analysis of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi prev iously classified in the genus Sclerooystis. Fungi in Sclerooystis sensu la te were distinguished by formation of complex sporocarps. Most species were transferred to Glomus, but both their taxonomic and phylogenetic relations remain the subject of controversy. Phylogenetic analysis of the 18S riboso mal subunit of G. sinuosum (= S. sinuosa) and S. coremioides shows that bot h species are each other's closest relatives and fall within a monophyletic clade comprising the well-characterized species, G. mosseae, G. intraradic es G. vesiculiferum, to the exclusion of several other Glomus species. This Placement indicates that formation of complex sporocarps is an advanced ch aracter of some Glomus species, but the sporocarpic trait is not sufficient ly unique to group these species into a separate genus Sclerocystis.