Genetic and biological characteristics ofTyphula ishikariensis isolates from Norway

Isolates ofTyphula ishikariensis, a snow mold fungus, were collected from five localities in Norway. They were divided into three groups according to genetics, cultural morphology, etc. Group I grew normally at 10 °C. Its mating patterns with Japanese taxa were variable: compatible with both biotypes A and B; compatible with biotype A but incompatible with biotype B; and incompatible with both biotypes. Group I was prevalent in southern inland districts such as Buskerud, Oppland, and Hedmark. Group II had smaller sclerotia as compared to other groups, and its sclerotia were often covered with white mycelium in nature and in culture. Group II was compatible with biotype B only. Group III was characterized by irregular growth at 10 ° C and genetic incompatibility with biotypes A and B. Cultural morphology of group III resembled that of group I at 0 °C. Rind cell patterns of sclerotia did not separate these two groups or biotypes. Isolates of groups II and III were often obtained from coastal regions in Finmark. Mating reactions were variable: monokaryons were compatible with their respective dikaryons, and monokaryons of groups II and III occasionally mated with group I dikaryons. Dikaryons of groups II and III, however did dikaryotize monokaryons of other groups. Norwegian isolates ofT. ishikariensis were highly variable, and the orthodox nomenclature system seemed inapplicalbe at the infraspecific level.