Isolation and molecular identification of <i>Ascomycetes</i> in sediments and waters of the Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea

Abstract

Using molecular approach, we aimed to identify fungal phylotypes that exist in the Gulf of Aqaba, Red sea. Several samples were taken from sediments and seawater of three locations along 26 kilometers at 5 m depth. 18S small subunit rRNA gene was targeted for PCR amplification and sequencing. Partial sequences introduced as query in BLASTN phylogenetic analysis revealed 100% identity with Ascomycota, namely, Aspergillus sp. Penicillium sp. and its closely related Eupenicillium sp. The top scorer species in this analysis were Aspergillus sydowii, Aspergillus wentii, Aspergillus flocculosus, Penicillium expansum and Eupenicillium javanicum with 98% - 100% identity. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrates close relatedness among isolated fungi and potential association with Ascomycetes. This study reports a new geographical location in which facultative marine Ascomycetes exist in, and sheds some light on fungal diversity in Gulf of Aqaba.