Flammulina RFLP patterns identify species and show biogeographical patterns within species

Representative collections of Flammulina were examined by restriction diges ts of the ribosomal RNA internally transcribed spacer region (ITS1-5.8SITS2 ). Digestion with the restriction enzymes, HaeIII and Bst F51 distinguished among the major Northern Hemisphere species of Flammulina. Digestion of F: velutipes collections with two additional restriction enzymes, Bgl I and B st UI, gave variable restriction fragment patterns and revealed biogeograph ically identifiable patterns. Three haplotypes of F. velutipes were identif ied with geographical distributions chiefly in Asia, Europe and North Ameri ca. Recent transfer of haplotypes among geographical areas seems plausible based on the observed haplotype distribution.