Two fruitbodies each of Russula messapica and Macowanites
messapicoides, identified by morphological characters, were screened
for
polymorphism in the ITS and the IGS of their ribosomal DNA, as well as
in mitochondrial rDNA by RFLP analysis of PCR-products. The two species
were monomorphic for all markers with the exception of the IGS. This limited
genetic differentiation
indicates a close relationship between these two species. The overall correspondence
of the RFLPs between R. messapica and M.
messapicoides adds molecular evidence to the relatedness of Russula
and Macowanites, and suggests the possibility that M.
messapicoides is recently derived from R. messapica.