Identification and biodiversity patterns of species isolated from some soil invertebrates at high altitude using morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses.

Background: The carcinogenic, mutagenic, and teratogenic chemicals such as aflatoxin are a worldwide health problem. spp., responsible for most cases of aflatoxin contamination, are common in the environment and spread easily to many different types of food. The objectives of this study were to conduct a survey of fungi associated with three soil invertebrates in Taif, Saudi Arabia, identify these isolates and explore mycotoxins formation.

Methods: In total, 114 fungal isolates were collected from various soil invertebrates (millipedes, and ) in Taif, Saudi Arabia, among them, 22 isolates were identified as spp. based on morphological and molecular characteristics followed by both and

Results: The sequences of ITS 1 and ITS 4 were utilized. Using bootstrap analysis, phylogenetic tree was split into two distinct clusters. Five sub clusters were included inside the first major cluster, and their bootstrap value was 99%. While, there were two small clusters in the second major cluster. All the tested strains were able to have a single PCR fragment amplified using the primer AspTef. TEF-1 DNA sequence bootstrap analysis with 1,000 replicates revealed two distinct groups. Additionally, the isolates were grouped into two different clusters with about 65% genetic similarity using ISSR-PCR analysis. The standard polymerase chain reaction was used to effectively amplify the and -A genes in aflatoxigenic strains. Four strains used in this investigation were shown to generate aflatoxin B1. While, three stains showed ochratoxin genes.

Conclusions: In conclusion, the results indicate significant differences in the fungal community between ecoregions and soil invertebrates. Moreover, mycotoxin detection and identification among isolates were elucidated. This study could shed light on the risk of mycotoxin contamination along the supply chain.