A retrotransposon-like element and its occurrence in British Columbia populations of Chondrostereum purpureum.

Repetitive DNA elements discovered in the basidiomycete Chondrostereum purpureum were characterized and validated for use as genetic markers. Regions of these marker sequences were similar to retrotransposon and retrotransposon-like sequences, as indicated by BLAST searches of NCBI databases. These sequences occur in multiple DNA fragments of variable length in a given C. purpureum isolate, and thus can serve as strain-specific genetic markers. The segregation of the markers within a progeny set demonstrated their stability through meiosis. The population structure of C. purpureum was assessed using the markers. There was no evidence of a barrier to gene flow between C. purpureum populations separated by 1400 km and no indication of population sub-structuring based on host or geographical source of isolate. Repetitive fragments were amplified from four other species, suggesting the occurrence of these retrotransposon-like elements in other basidiomycetes and the potential utility of these markers for other fungi.