Altered Rapd Polymorphisms In Cordyceps Sinensis Analyzed With Amplicon Density-Weighted Algorithms

Objective: To examine the maturational alterations of RAPD polymorphism resulted from differential expressions of multi‐fungi in Cordyceps sinensis (Cs). Methods: Used 20 random primers and density‐weighted algorithms to analyze the integral polymorphic changes in Cs compartments during maturation; compared RAPD polymorphisms of Cs and Hirsutella sinensis (Hs). Results: Density‐unweighted algorithms neglected the differences in density of the DNA amplicons, while the density‐weighted algorithms integrated components of the amplicon density differences in similarity computations and cluster constructions. An overall similarity 0.42 was observed for Cs compartments at 3 maturation stages. The similarities for Cs stroma or caterpillar body at 3 maturational stages were 0.57 and 0.50, respectively. Cs compartments at 3 maturation stages formed a cluster. The low polymorphic similarities between Hs and Cs (0.55‐0.69) placed the Hs clade far from the Cs cluster, separated by the out‐group control Paecilomyces militaris . Conclusion: The wealthy RAPD polymorphisms are altering during maturationin the Cs compartments. The huge differences between the polymorphisms of Hs and Cs support the multiple fungi‐integrated micro‐ecosystem hypothesis for Cs, but do not support the hypotheses of “single fungal species” for Cs and the anamorph‐teleomorph connection between Hs and Cs.