Search for: All records

Morchellaspecies have considerable significance in terrestrial ecosystems, exhibiting a range of ecological lifestyles along the saprotrophism-to-symbiosis continuum. However, the mitochondrial genomes of these ascomycetous fungi have not been thoroughly studied, thereby impeding a comprehensive understanding of their genetic makeup and ecological role. In this study, we analysed the mitogenomes of 30Morchellaceaespecies, including yellow, black, blushing and false morels. These mitogenomes are either circular or linear DNA molecules with lengths ranging from 217 to 565 kbp and GC content ranging from 38% to 48%. Fifteen core protein-coding genes, 28–37tRNAgenes and 3–8rRNAgenes were identified in theseMorchellaceaemitogenomes. The gene order demonstrated a high level of conservation, with thecox1gene consistently positioned adjacent to thernSgene andcobgene flanked byaptgenes. Some exceptions were observed, such as the rearrangement ofatp6andrps3inMorchella importunaand the reversed order ofatp6andatp8in certain morel mitogenomes. However, the arrangement of thetRNAgenes remains conserved. We additionally investigated the distribution and phylogeny of homing endonuclease genes (HEGs) of the LAGLIDADG (LAGs) and GIY-YIG (GIYs) families. A total of 925 LAG and GIY sequences were detected, with individual species containing 19–48HEGs. These HEGs were primarily located in thecox1,cob,cox2andnad5introns and their presence and distribution displayed significant diversity amongst morel species. These elements significantly contribute to shaping their mitogenome diversity. Overall, this study provides novel insights into the phylogeny and evolution of theMorchellaceae.