Global population structure and adaptive evolution of aflatoxin-producing fungi.

Geromy G Moore,Rakhi Singh,Jacalyn L Elliott,Ignazio Carbone,Bruce W Horn,Rodrigo A Olarte,Carolyn J O'Neal

doi:10.1002/ece3.3464

Abstract

Aflatoxins produced by several species in Aspergillus section Flavi are a significant problem in agriculture and a continuous threat to human health. To provide insights into the biology and global population structure of species in section Flavi, a total of 1,304 isolates were sampled across six species (A. flavus, A. parasiticus, A. nomius, A. caelatus, A. tamarii, and A. alliaceus) from single fields in major peanut‐growing regions in Georgia (USA), Australia, Argentina, India, and Benin (Africa). We inferred maximum‐likelihood phylogenies for six loci, both combined and separately, including two aflatoxin cluster regions (aflM/alfN and aflW/aflX) and four noncluster regions (amdS, trpC, mfs and MAT), to examine population structure and history. We also employed principal component and STRUCTURE analysis to identify genetic clusters and their associations with six different categories (geography, species, precipitation, temperature, aflatoxin chemotype profile, and mating type). Overall, seven distinct genetic clusters were inferred, some of which were more strongly structured by G chemotype diversity than geography. Populations of A. flavus S in Benin were genetically distinct from all other section Flavi species for the loci examined, which suggests genetic isolation. Evidence of trans‐speciation within two noncluster regions, whereby A. flavus SBG strains from Australia share haplotypes with either A. flavus or A. parasiticus, was observed. Finally, while clay soil and precipitation may influence species richness in Aspergillus section Flavi, other region‐specific environmental and genetic parameters must also be considered.

Highlights

Aspergillus section Flavi contains the most serious mycotoxin- producing fungi in this genus, being named for one of its well publicized toxigenic species, Aspergillus flavus Link (Horn, 2003; Raper & Fennell, 1965)
In an experimentally recombining population of A. flavus, a single crossover recombination was shown to result in the gain of cluster regions that were able to restore the aflatoxigenic phenotype (Olarte et al, 2011); field experiments further showed that A. flavus sclerotia can be fertilized by native strains and yield recombinant progeny (Horn et al, 2016)
Genetic exchange between species may result in hybrids that have novel chemotype profiles, are mycotoxin super-producers, are better pathogens, and/or are more fit under adverse and changing environments; recent evidence shows hybridization is experimentally possible between A. flavus and A. parasiticus (Olarte et al, 2015)

Summary

Introduction

Aspergillus section Flavi contains the most serious mycotoxin- producing fungi in this genus, being named for one of its well publicized toxigenic species, Aspergillus flavus Link (Horn, 2003; Raper & Fennell, 1965). In the case of the two approved A. flavus biocontrol strains that are both nonaflatoxigenic, genetic recombination may restore toxigenicity (Geiser et al, 1998; Horn et al, 2016; Moore et al, 2009). Genetic exchange between species may result in hybrids that have novel chemotype profiles, are mycotoxin super-producers, are better pathogens, and/or are more fit under adverse and changing environments; recent evidence shows hybridization is experimentally possible between A. flavus and A. parasiticus (Olarte et al, 2015)

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