The role of saltwort (Batis maritima L.) in regeneration of degraded mangrove forests

While saltwort (Batis maritima L.) is common in the fringe mangrove forests of southwest Florida, its role in regeneration of degraded mangrove communities is not known. Given the potential encroachment and subsequent degradation of mangrove communities by sea-level rise, it is important to quantify the effect of early-colonizing vegetation to early mangrove seedling survival. A greater number of mangrove seedlings were observed in existing B. maritima patches compared to surrounding mudflats. A planting experiment was designed to determine whether B. maritima was responsible for the observed pattern. Black mangrove (Avicennia germinans L.) seedlings, raised in a nursery, were planted in previously established B. maritima patches and on mudflats with and without nursery-raised B. maritima. There was significantly lower mortality of A. germinans seedlings when planted in existing B. maritima patches (69%), compared to seedlings planted on the mudflats (93%), demonstrating that existing B. maritima improved A. germinans seedling survival. Nursery-raised B. maritima had lower mortality on open mudflats (28%), suggesting that it can tolerate conditions, which make it an early colonizer of newly available habitats. The primary mechanism proposed for improving seedling success is a slight increase in elevation provided by the dense root network of established B. maritima. These findings have implications for scientists and managers anticipating the response of mangroves to sea-level rise.     

Regeneration in fringe mangrove forests damaged by Hurricane Andrew

Mangrove forests along many tropical coastlines are frequently andseverely damaged by hurricanes. The ability of mangrove forests to regeneratefollowing hurricanes has been noted, but changes that occur in vegetationfollowing disturbance by hurricane winds and storm tides have not been studied.We measured changes in plant community structure and environmental variables intwo fringe mangrove forests in south Florida, USA that experienced high windvelocities and storm tides associated with Hurricane Andrew (August1992). Loss of the forest canopy stimulated regeneration via seedlinggrowth and recruitment, as well as resprouting of some trees that survived thehurricane. Initial regeneration differed among species in both forests:Rhizophora mangle L. regenerated primarily via growth ofseedlings present at the time of the hurricane (i.e., release of advancerecruits), but many trees of Avicennia germinans(L.) Stearn and Laguncularia racemosa Gaertn.f.resprouted profusely from dormant epicormic buds. In one forest, which wasformerly dominated by Laguncularia, high densities ofRhizophora seedlings survived the hurricane and grew toform dense stands of saplings and small trees ofRhizophora. In the other forest, there were lowerdensitiesof surviving Rhizophora seedlings (possibly due tohigher storm tide), and extensive bare areas that were colonized byAvicennia, Laguncularia, andherbaceous species. This forest, predominantly Rhizophoraat the time of the hurricane, now contains stands of saplings and small treesofall three species, interspersed with patches dominated by herbaceous plants.These findings indicate that moderately damaged fringe forests may regenerateprimarily via release of Rhizophora advance recruits,leading to single-species stands. In severely damaged forests, seedlingrecruitment may be more important and lead to mixed-species stands.Regeneration of mangrove forests following hurricanes can involve differentpathways produced by complex interactions between resprouting capability,seedling survival, post-hurricane seedling recruitment, and colonizationby herbaceous vegetation. These differences in relative importance ofregeneration pathways, which may result in post-hurricane forestsdifferent from their pre-hurricane structure, suggest that models forregeneration of mangrove forests will be more complex than directregeneration models proposed for other tropical forests whereregeneration after hurricanes is dominated by resprouting.     

Lanceispora amphibia gen. et sp. nov., a new amphisphaeriaceous ascomycete inhabiting senescent and fallen leaves of mangrove

Lanceispora amphibia gen. et sp. nov. in the Amphisphaeriaceae is described from senescent and fallen leaves ofBruguiera gymnorrhiza in mangrove forests in the Southwest Islands, Japan. The fungus produces immersed ascomata in leaf tissue, cylindrical asci with an apical ring staining blue with iodine, and oblanceolate ascospores with a septum above the middle. Studies on the fungal succession on the mangrove leaves revealed thatL. amphibia infects senescent leaves on the tree and inhabits intertidal fallen leaves, showing the highest frequency of occurrence at the late stage of decomposition. In culture the optimal conditions for hyphal growth were 20 ppt salinity and 30°C, and those for sexual reproduction were 10 ppt salinity and 25°C. Growth at 0 ppt (fresh water) was depressed. The fungus has amphibious habits, growing on the tree and in intertidal water; and it is adapted to the high osmotic conditions in leaf tissues of the mangrove tree and to the subtropical, brackish water environment of mangrove forests.     

Long-Term Growth and Succession in Restored and Natural Mangrove Forests in Southwestern Florida

We compared colonization, growth and succession from 1989 to 2000 in a restored mangrove site and in gap and closed canopy sites in a natural mangrove forest. The restored site was created in 1982 and planted with Rhizophora mangle (≈2 m⁻²) propagules. By 1989, Laguncularia racemosa, with densities up to 12.9 tree m⁻², was a dominant in all plots, although densities were greater at edge plots relative to inner plots, and near open water (west plots) relative to further inland (east plots), and in tall mangrove plots relative to scrub plots. Rhizophora mangle (1989 tree densities about 2 m⁻²) was a codominant in inner and scrub plots, while Avicennia germinans had the lowest densities (<1 tree m⁻²) in all plots. From 1989 to 2000 L. racemosa experienced reduced recruitment and apparent density-dependent mortality of canopy individuals in plots with high initial densities. Scrub plots experienced high rates of colonization by R. mangle and L. racemosa, rapid growth in height of all species (1989–1996), followed by a dieoff of L. racemosa in later years (1997–2000) as the canopy came to resemble that of tall mangrove plots. Colonization and growth rates were lower in gap and closed canopy regions of the natural forest relative to rates in the restored site. After 11 years, densities of L. racemosa were 10–20× lower and R. mangle slightly less in the gap relative to densities in tall mangrove plots in the restored site at the same age. Although the restored stand had converged with the natural forest by 2000 in terms of some factors such as species richness, vegetation cover, litterfall, and light penetration, trees were still much smaller and stem densities much higher. Full development of mature structure and ecological function will likely require decades more development.     

Observation of water and Na+ in tissues of theBruguiera gymnorrhiza by1H-and23Na-NMR imaging

Distributions of free water, which is called water in this investigation, in mangrove (Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (L.) Lam.) tissues were examined by using¹H-NMR imaging, and accumulation of Na⁺ in hypocotyls was examined by using high resolution²³Na-NMR and²³Na-NMR imaging in relation to their morphology. Water located preferentially in the epidermis and the outer layer of cortex adjacent to the epidermis, and around vascular bundles of a root, a branch stem, and hypocotyls. Amount of water detected in the middle parts of cortex and pith was small unlikeAucuba japonica branch tissue. On the other hand, relatively high concentration of Na⁺ was detected in the pith besides the epidermis and the outer layer of the cortex adjacent to the epidermis, and around vascular bundles of the hypocotyl. The localization of Na⁺ did not correspond to that of water. Concentrations of Na⁺ accumulated (up to 22mM) in the hypocotyl were approximately 10 times higher than those observed in tissues of ordinary plants. The characteristic water distribution and accumulation of Na⁺ in the mangrove are considered to relate to their ecological nature for the adaptation to saline environments.     

Restoration of mangrove plantations and colonisation by native species in Leizhou bay,South China

To examine the natural colonisation of native mangrove species into remediated exotic mangrove stands in Leizhou Bay, South China, we compared soil physical–chemical properties, community structure and recruitments of barren mangrove areas, native mangrove species plantations, and exotic mangrove species—Sonneratia apetala Buch.Ham—between plantations and natural forest. We found that severely degraded mangrove stands could not regenerate naturally without human intervention due to severely altered local environments, whereas some native species had been recruited into the 4–10 year S. apetala plantations. In the first 10 years, the exotic species S. apetala grew better than native species such as Rhizophora stylosa Griff and Kandelia candel (Linn.) Druce. The mangrove plantation gradually affected soil physical and chemical properties during its recovery. The exotic S. apetala was more competitive than native species and its plantation was able to restore soil organic matter in about 14 years. Thus, S. apetala can be considered as a pioneer species to improve degraded habitats to facilitate recolonisation by native mangrove species. However, removal to control proliferation may be needed at late stages to facilitate growth of native species. To ensure sustainability of mangroves in South China, the existing mangrove wetlands must be managed as an ecosystem, with long-term scientific monitoring program in place.     

Tracking Human Disturbance in Mangroves: Estimating Harvest Rates on a Micronesian Island

Disturbance is an integral component in mangrove forest dynamics, influencing forest structure, composition, and function. The impacts of human disturbance, however, threaten mangrove forests throughout the world. Small-scale wood harvesting on the small Pacific island of Kosrae, Federated States of Micronesia, provided an instructive scenario for exploring the dynamics of human disturbance. Natural disturbances on the island are rare, but the growing island population harvests mangrove trees for firewood and construction materials, placing pressure on the forest. In order to determine recent harvest rates, we estimated gap ages by developing a time scale for mangrove wood decomposition and by quantifying growth rates for Rhizophora apiculata and Bruguiera gymnorhiza seedlings. Stump and log decomposition patterns were useful in aging gaps, although some patterns were more reliable than others. Seedlings of both species added approximately 5 nodes/year depending on light conditions. The island-wide harvest rate was 10% over the last 10 years, but the rates varied widely among different parts of the island. Rhizophora apiculata has been harvested preferentially, and a dearth of young trees where harvesting has been heaviest portends a decline of this highly desired species in the forest. Socio-economic data substantiated some but not all of the trends we observed. Even on a small island, local differences in both natural and anthropogenic factors are important to understanding forest dynamics.     

陕西省十字花科植物新记录

该文报道了陕西省发现的3个新记录属和5个新记录种。新记录属分别是堇叶芥属(Neomartinella Pilger)、皱果荠属(Rapistrum Crantz)和二行芥属(Diplotaxis de Candolle);新记录种分别是永顺堇叶芥［Neomartinella yungshunensis (W. T. Wang) Al Shehbaz］、安徽碎米荠(Cardamine anhuiensis D. C. Zhang et J. Z. Shao)、欧亚蔊菜［Rorippa sylvestris (L.) Bess.］、皱果荠［Rapistrum rugosum (L.) All.］和二行芥［Diplotaxis muralis (L.) DC.］。     

Mangrove litter dynamics in La Mancha Lagoon,Veracruz, Mexico

In the mangrove surrounding the coastal lagoon of La Mancha, Veracruz, Mexico, we studied litter fall, litter standing crop, and turnover rates in four different mangrove settings, based on the ecological classification of Lugo and Snedaker (1974). We studied those three prominent ecological processes at the basin, fringe and riverine mangrove settings, being the last one a relict riverine stand. The aim was to describe and compare litter dynamics among mangrove types in a lagoon with an ephemeral inlet, as a way of understanding functional heterogeneity within this coastal ecosystem. The daily average values of litter fall were different (P < 0.01) among mangrove site basin I, formed by Avicennia germinans and Rhizophora mangle (2.35 g/m²/day); basin II, formed by Laguncularia racemosa, Avicennia germinans, and Rhizophora mangle (2.93 g/m²/day); fringe with Rhizophora mangle (2.13 g/m²/day); and relic riverine, also with R. mangle (4.70 g/m²/day). The amount of litter standing crop was different among sites (P < 0.001), and also between the dry and rainy season, for each mangrove type (P < 0.001). Turnover ratios were higher in basin I and basin II sites (6.34 and 7.44 times per year) than in relic riverine and fringe mangroves (1.49 and 2.39 times per year). Interstitial salinity and sediment nutrients varied among mangrove types and could influence litter production. Since this lagoon has an ephemeral inlet, continuous inundation throughout 7–8 months per year has an important effect on litter dynamics.     

Distribution of low molecular weight carbohydrates in the subgenusCeratotropis of the genusVigna (Leguminosae)

The seeds of 9 members of the subgenusCeratotropis (Piper) Verdc., namelyVigna aconitifolia (Jacq.) Maréchal,V. angularis (Willd.) Ohwi et Ohashi,V. minima (Roxb.) Ohwi et Ohashi,V. nakashimae (Ohwi) Ohwi et Ohashi,V. reflexo-pilosa Hayata,V. umbellata (Thumb.) Ohwi et Ohashi,V. mungo (L.) Hepper,V. radiata (L.) Wilczek andV. sp., have been examined. On their low molecular weight carbohydrate compositions, this subgenus has been divided into 2 subgroups, mungo-radiata group and angularis group. Four other species referred to the subgeneraPlectotropis (Schumach.) Bak.,Lasiospron (Benth. emend Piper) Maréchal, Mascherpa et Stainier andVigna, V. vexillata (L.) A. Rich.,V. lasiocarpa (Benth.) Verdc.,V. marina (Burm.) Merr. andV. unguiculata (L.) Walp., were also analyzed and they had distinctive carbohydrate compositions. 1d-4-O-methyl-myo-inositol and 1d-5-O-(α-d-galactopyranosyl)-4-O-methyl-myo-inositol were detected in all species examined exceptV. vexillata, V. mungo andV. radiata.     

Morphological differences between larvae and in vitro-cultured adults of Anisakis simplex (sensu stricto) and Anisakis pegreffii (Nematoda: Anisakidae)

Proper identification of Anisakis species infecting host fishes is very important to both human health and fish disease diagnosis. The foremost problem in the identification of Anisakis larvae in fishes is that L3 larvae cannot be easily differentiated morphologically, especially between A. simplex (sensu stricto) (s.s.) (Rudolphi, 1809) and A. pegreffii Campana-Rouget et Biocca, 1955. Instead, molecular means such as allozyme, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) cox2 region and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analyses had been successfully used. In this study, morphological differences of L3 larvae collected from fishes and in vitro-cultured L4 larvae and adult A. simplex (s.s.) and A. pegreffii were evaluated. Anisakis larvae were collected from 7 different host fishes within Japan. Undamaged A. simplex (s.s.) and A. pegreffii collected from Oncorhynchus keta (Walbaum) and Scomber japonicus Houttuyn, respectively, were used for in vitro-culture in order to obtain L4 and adult stages. Species identification was confirmed by PCR-RFLP analysis of the ITS region (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) of ribosomal DNA and by mtDNA cox2 gene sequencing. Results revealed that L3, L4 and adult stages of A. simplex (s.s.) and A. pegreffii are morphologically distinguishable based on ventriculus length, wherein the former has longer ventriculus (0.90–1.50 mm) than the latter (0.50–0.78 mm). For oesophagus/ventriculus ratio, these two species are distinguishable only during L4 and adult stages. Also, adult male A. simplex (s.s.) and A. pegreffii were found to be distinguishable by differences in the distribution pattern of the caudal papillae, particularly the 3rd pair of distal papillae.     

Host specificity and biology of the weevilNeohydronomus affinis [Coleoptera: Curculionidae] a biological control agent ofPistia stratiotes

Waterlettuce,Pistia stratiotes L., has been successfully controlled in Australia with the weevil,Neohydronomus affinis Hustache. In this study, the weevil was tested in quarantine against 34 plant species in 27 families. In non-replicated no-choice tests, it fed and oviposited on 3 species of duckweeds [(Lemna minor L.,Spirodela punctata (Meyer) Thomps.,S. polyrhiza (L.) Schleid.], frogbit [(Limnobium spongia (Bosc.) Steud.], mosquitofern (Azolla caroliniana Willd) and waterfern (Salvinia mimima Baker). Feeding also occurred on golden club (Orontium aquaticum L.) and one egg was laid on the terrestrial panda plant (Kalanchoe tomentosa Baker). Plants oviposited and fed upon were retested in choice tests. The weevils then fed and oviposited exclusively on waterlettuce. Various aspects of weevil biology, including larval feeding and mining, plant response to weevil attack, and adult behavior are discussed. Florida Agric. Expt. J. series No 8580.     

Tissue culture of the alternate hosts of wheat,rye and oat rusts and their response to in vitro inoculation with the rust pathogens

Alternate host plants of cereal rust fungi are necessary for studying the rust sexual cycle and pathogenicity. These plants are usually difficult to propagate through cloning, while seed-propagated plants may have variable responses to the pathogen. To overcome these obstacles, tissue culture, under controlled and aseptic conditions, was utilized for clonal propagation and in vitro inoculation of the following species: Rhamnus palaestinus Boiss., the alternate host of oat (Avena spp.) crown rust (Puccinia coronata Corda); Thalictrum speciosissimum L., the alternate host of brown leaf rust of wheat (Puccinia recondita f. sp. tritici Eriks. & Henn.); and Lycopsis arvensis L., the alternate host of rye (Secala spp.) leaf rust (Puccinia recondita f. sp. recondita Rob. & Desm.). Shoot culture procedures for initial establishment and proliferation were developed for all three alternate host species. Shoot cultures were multiplied at rates ranging from 0.3 to 1.7 shoots/week. Successful infection following inoculation with teliospores of the corresponding rust fungi was obtained for R. palaestinus and T. speciosissimum but not for L. arvensis. The hardening and acclimatization efficiency of rooted T. speciosissimum and L. arvensis was of 80–90%. The propagation efficiency for R. palaestinus was not successful because of the low rate and poor quality of its rooting. It is concluded that the in vitro system might be used as an alternative method for inoculation and multiplication of alternate hosts of cereal rusts, although more experimentation is needed to define accurately the appropriate conditions for the proper infection response. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

中国团黑粉菌属和团散黑粉菌属

本文报道我国团黑粉菌属10种,团散黑粉菌属22种。其中新组合8种,即:水蔗草团散黑粉[Sporisorium apludae (H. Sydow & Sydow) L. Guo]、营大孢团散黑粉[Sporisorium benguetensis (Zundel) L. Guo]、细柄草团散黑粉[Sporisorium capillipedii (Ling) L. Guo]、营小孢团散黑粉[Sporisorium exsertum (McAlp.) L. Guo]、芒粒团散黑粉[Sporisorium miscanthi (Yen) L. Guo]、黄茅粒团散黑粉[Sporisorium moniliferum (Ell. & Ev.) L. Guo]、光高粱团散黑粉[Sporisorium taianum (Syd.) L. Guo]和鸭嘴草团散黑粉[Sporisorium tanglinensis (Tracy&Earle) L. Guo]。     

Nutrient and salt relations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pterocarpus officinalis</Emphasis> L. in coastal wetlands of the Caribbean: assessment through leaf and soil analyses

Pterocarpus officinalis L. is a dominant tree of freshwater coastal wetlands in the Caribbean and the Guiana regions. It is frequently associated with mangroves in areas with high rainfall and/or surface run-off. We hypothesized that P. officinalis is a freshwater swamp species that when occurring in association with mangroves occupies low-salinity soil microsites, or alternatively that it possesses mechanisms preventing accumulation of salt in photosynthetic tissues. To test this we compared the mineral composition of soils and leaves of several species in two Pterocarpus forests in Puerto Rico associated with coastal mangroves, Sabana Seca and Punta Viento. Results indicate that (1) Sabana Seca has low soil salinity values even in the P. officinalis and Laguncularia racemosa mixed zone. In Punta Viento, salinity in the mixed zone was higher than in the Pterocarpus forest, but much lower than in the mangrove area; (2) In both forests, leaves of P. officinalis showed much lower Na concentrations than mangrove species. The K/Na ratios were 16–20 times higher in P. officinalis, indicating preferential absorption of K against Na. The mangrove fern (Acrostichum aureum) growing side by side with P. officinalis and L. racemosa in Punta Viento also revealed high Na exclusion capacity. We found an asymmetric distribution of cations in the blade and rachis of the P. officinalis compound leaves in both sites. The rachis accumulates more Na and Ca, but less Mg than the leaf blade. This sequestration of Na in the rachis prevents salt damage of photosynthetic tissue in the leaf blade.     

Comparison of carbonic anhydrase activity among various species of plantlets

During plant tissue culture, the culture container is small and sealed; the concentration of CO₂ in the microenvironment is relatively low. The plantlet growth is restrained for the shortage of CO₂ in the culture container. Carbonic anhydrase is a zinc-containing metalloenzyme that catalyzes the reversible conversion of bicarbonate to CO₂. The determination of carbonic anhydrase of leaves from Atractylodes lancea (thunb.) DC, Orychophragmus violaceus (L.) O.E. Schulz, Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.et Coss. cv. Luzhousileng, Brassica campestris L. cv. Chuanyou No.8, Brassica napus L cv. Oro, Brassica carinata Braun, Raphanus sativa L. var. raphanistroides Makino and their plantlets indicates that the carbonic anhydrase activity of leaves from both plantlets and fields varies from plant species to plant species, the carbonic anhydrase activity of leaves of Atractylodes lancea (thunb.) DC is the lowest among those plants, and the leaves of all plantlets are lower in carbonic anhydrase activity than the same species of plants from fields. The comparison of the growth rates of those plantlets shows that their relative growth rates are significantly different, plantlets of Atractylodes lancea have the slowest relative growth rate among those plants, and plantlets of Brassica juncea have the greatest relative growth rate. The relationship between RGR of plantlets and their CA activities is a significant linear function. It seems that there was certain correlation between carbonic anhydrase activities of plants and their growth rates. It suggests that in vitro, the greater the carbonic anhydrase activity of plantlet is, the higher its net photosynthetic rate, and the faster its growth rate. Those results offer a foundation to a rational medium choice in plant tissue culture.     

Allorhogas pyralophagus [Hym.: Braconidae], a gregarious external parasite imported into texas,USA, for biological control of the stalkborerEoreuma loftini [Lep.: Pyralidae] on sugar cane

Allorhogas pyralophagus Marsh is a recently discovered doryctine braconid with potential for field trials against stalk borers infesting both large- and small- stemmed Graminacea. This external gregarious parasite was originally reared fromEoreuma loftini (Dyar) larvae infesting Johnson grass [Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.] and sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum L.) from the states of Sinaloa and Nuevo Leon, Mexico. The parasite is easily reared in the laboratory using a wide range of host larvae [Diatraea spp.,E. loftini, Chilo sp. andTryporyza nivelli (F)]. Hosts are placed in grass stems or paper straws for exposure to ovipositing females.A. pyralophagus has been field released and recovered from the following hosts infesting sugar cane:E. loftini andD. saccharalis (F.) in Texas.Diatraea spp. in Trinidad,D. rufescens in Bolivia andT. nivella in Sumatra, Indonesia. Approved as Contribution No. TA-20743 of the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station.     

Variation in the δ<Superscript>13</Superscript>C of Two Mangrove Plants is Correlated with Stomatal Response to Salinity

To better understand the relationship between salinity and the carbon stable isotope composition (expressed as δ¹³C) of mangrove plants and to test whether the patterns of variation in δ¹³C of mangrove plants differ from those of nonhalophytes as response to salinity, the effect of salinity on leaf δ¹³C in two dominant mangrove species, Aegiceras corniculatum and Kandelia candel, was studied. Furthermore, to determine whether the variation in δ¹³C of mangrove species is adjusted by stomatal conductance, K. candel was selected as an example, and leaf gas-exchange characteristics of the seedlings were measured. It was observed that both mangrove species had a lower leaf δ¹³C under their optimum salinity (1.50% for Ae. corniculatum and 2.00% for K. candel). This variation in δ¹³C of mangrove plants was attributable largely to stomatal adjustment as for nonhalophytes in which a strong correlation between δ¹³C and relevant photosynthetic properties is observed. This result suggests that the different response pattern in δ¹³C was a consequence of the variation in stomata in relation to the different tolerance to salinity. The optimum salinity inferred by leaf δ¹³C provides a feasible method for comparing salt tolerance between mangrove plants belonging to different species, which is useful for mangrove restoration.     

Sucrose biosynthesis in Dunaliella

Four independent kinds of observations indicate that the cell wall regenerated by oat (Avena sativa L.) and corn (Zea mays L.) protoplasts in culture is less well developed than that regenerated by tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) protoplasts. Following wall regeneration the cereal protoplasts remained susceptible to osmotic shock upon transfer to water, showed great enlargement, stained poorly with calcofluor white, and maintained a positive internal electrical potential. The development of a negative membrane potential by tobacco protoplasts in culture often occurred simultaneously with the onset of cell division. Since division was observed only in protoplasts which had regenerated good cell walls and had re-established negative membrane potentials it is suggested that culture conditions which favor these two processes should improve protoplast viability.     

Mycorrhiza of the host-specific Lactarius deterrimus on the roots of Picea abies and Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

The ectomycorrhizal basidiomycete species Lactarius deterrimus Gröger is considered to be a strictly host-specific mycobiont of Picea abies (L.) Karst. However, we identified arbutoid mycorrhiza formed by this fungus on the roots of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng. in a mixed stand at the alpine timberline; typical ectomycorrhiza of P. abies were found in close relation. A. uva-ursi is known as an extremely unspecific phytobiont. The mycorrhizae of both associations are described and compared morphologically. The mycorrhiza formed by L. deterrimus on both A. uva-ursi and P. abies show typical ectomycorrhizal features such as a hyphal mantle and a Hartig net. The main difference between the mycorrhizal symbioses with the different phytobionts is the occurrence of intracellular hyphae in the epidermal cells of A. uva-ursi. This emphasizes the importance of the plant partner for mycorrhizal anatomy. This is the first report of a previously considered host-specific ectomycorrhizal fungus in association with A. uva-ursi under natural conditions. The advantages of this loose specificity between the fungus and plant species is discussed.