Phylogenetic diversity of wild edible Russula from northeastern Thailand on the basis of internal transcribed spacer sequence

Phylogenetic relationships among wild edible Russula in northeastern Thailand were demonstrated on the basis of the sequence polymorphisms in the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the nuclear ribosomal genes (rDNA). Using PCR-RFLP analysis, they could be divided into three main clusters. ITS sequences of some specimens were also analyzed. The ITS sequences clearly distinguished most specimens from each other, even those sharing similar morphotypes. This approach might be used for further investigation of ectomycorrhizal associations in the forest regeneration programme in Thailand.