Population Genetics and Conservation of Tricholoma matsutake |
| Tricholoma matsutake is an economically important ectomycorrhizal mushroom intensively harvested for export to Japan. A perception that mushroom productivity is declining in this part of China has led to a call for conservation measures. Essential to this task are a better understanding of this species' reproductive biology, population structure and how these correlate with habitat. To address these issues we sampled mycorrhizas and mushrooms from T. matsutake populations in forests of varying logging histories and ages throughout Yunnan Province, China. Using SNP DNA fingerprinting techniques, we assessed how population structure interacts with topography, and how genetic mosaicism within "fairy rings" affects the spatial genetic structure of matsutake populations within forest a forest chronosequence. Surveys and interviews assessed local perceptions and attitudes about this resource, as well as culturally appropriate data outputs. |
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