PeerJ (Jan 2018)

Identification of the fungal endophyte of Ammophila breviligulata (American beachgrass) as Epichloë amarillans

  • Ian Drake,
  • James F. White Jr,
  • Faith C. Belanger

DOI
https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.4300
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 6
p. e4300

Abstract

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The grass Ammophila breviligulata (American beachgrass) is known to host an endophyte of the genus Epichloë. Based on morphological characteristics it was originally identified as Acremonium typhinum var. ammophilae and is currently designated as Epichloë typhina var. ammophilae. However, the Epichloë species has not previously been identified based on DNA sequence data. Based on phylogenetic placement of beta-tubulin and translation elongation factor 1-alpha DNA sequences the endophyte is identified as a member of E. amarillans rather than E. typhina.

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