Development and verification of a diagnostic assay based on EF‐1 α for the identification of Armillaria species in Northern Europe

摘要: Summary The overall aim of this study was to develop a new, reliable and rapid diagnostic assay for differentiating six European Armillaria species based on variation in their elongation factor-1 alpha (EF-1 α) gene sequences verify set species-specific primers 61 isolates from Europe. Partial the EF-1 α obtained borealis, cepistipes, gallica, mellea, ostoyae tabescens revealed sufficient interspecific distinguish among using nested primers. These gave unambiguous bands when tested representative five these species. However, A. borealis clustered into two distinct clades, termed here AbX AbY. Specific were subsequently designed successfully both AbX-type AbY-type isolates. The taxonomy needs be elucidated determine whether as yet unnamed taxon exists Three also found have heterozygous sites sequences, which suggests that could exist more than one copy or contain hybrid sequences. A pyrosequencing method developed, targeting small region intron 4, able differentiate level additionally