High diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in a boreal herb-rich coniferous forest

* Here, the diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi was determined in a boreal herb-rich coniferous forest in relation to environmental variables. * Root samples of five plant species (Fragaria vesca, Galeobdolon luteum, Hepatica nobilis, Oxalis acetosella and Trifolium pratense) were analysed from stands differing in age and forest management intensity. * Thirty-four Glomeromycota taxa (small-subunit ribosomal RNA gene (SSU rDNA) sequence groups) were detected from 90 root samples (911 clones), including eight new taxa. Sequence groups related to Glomus intraradices were most common (MO-G3 and MO-G13). Samples of H. nobilis were colonized by more AM fungal taxa (3.68 +/- 0.31) than those of O. acetosella (2.69 +/- 0.34), but did not differ significantly in this respect from those of F. vesca (3.15 +/- 0.38). Effects of forest management, host plant species (except above) or season on the number or composition of fungal taxa in root samples were not detected, and neither were they explained by environmental variables (vegetation, soil and light conditions). * This is the most taxon-rich habitat described to date in terms of root-colonizing Glomeromycota. The data demonstrate the importance of temperate coniferous forests as habitats for AM fungi and plants. Lack of obvious fungal community patterns suggests more complex effects of biotic and abiotic factors, and possibly no adverse effect of common forest management practices on AM fungal diversity.     

Molecular diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi colonising Hyacinthoides non-scripta (bluebell) in a seminatural woodland

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi form symbiotic associations with plant roots. Around 150 species have been described and it is becoming clear that many of these species have different functional properties. The species diversity of AM fungi actively growing in roots is therefore an important component of ecosystem diversity. However, it is difficult to identify AM fungi below the genus level from morphology in planta , as they possess few informative characters. We present here a molecular method for identifying infrageneric sequence types that estimate the taxonomic diversity of AM fungi present in actively growing roots. Bluebell roots were sampled from beneath two different canopy types, oak and sycamore, and DNA sequences were amplified from roots by the polymerase chain reaction with fungal-specific primers for part of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene. Restriction fragment length polymorphism among 141 clones was assessed and 62 clones were sequenced. When aligned, discrete sequence groups emerged that cluster into the three families of AM fungi: Acaulosporaceae, Gigasporaceae and Glomaceae. The sequence variation is consistent with rRNA secondary structure. The same sequence types were found at both sampling times. Frequencies of Scutellospora increased in December, and Acaulospora increased in abundance in July. Sites with a sycamore canopy show a reduced abundance of Acaulospora , and those with oak showed a reduced abundance of Glomus . These distribution patterns are consistent with previous morphological studies carried out in this woodland. The molecular method provides an alternative method of estimating the distribution and abundance of AM fungi, and has the potential to provide greater resolution at the infrageneric level.     

Nitrogen and phosphorus additions impact arbuscular mycorrhizal abundance and molecular diversity in a tropical montane forest

Increased nitrogen (N) depositions expected in the future endanger the diversity and stability of ecosystems primarily limited by N, but also often co‐limited by other nutrients like phosphorus (P). In this context a nutrient manipulation experiment (NUMEX) was set up in a tropical montane rainforest in southern Ecuador, an area identified as biodiversity hotspot. We examined impacts of elevated N and P availability on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), a group of obligate biotrophic plant symbionts with an important role in soil nutrient cycles. We tested the hypothesis that increased nutrient availability will reduce AMF abundance, reduce species richness and shift the AMF community toward lineages previously shown to be favored by fertilized conditions. NUMEX was designed as a full factorial randomized block design. Soil cores were taken after 2 years of nutrient additions in plots located at 2000 m above sea level. Roots were extracted and intraradical AMF abundance determined microscopically; the AMF community was analyzed by 454‐pyrosequencing targeting the large subunit rDNA. We identified 74 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) with a large proportion of Diversisporales. N additions provoked a significant decrease in intraradical abundance, whereas AMF richness was reduced significantly by N and P additions, with the strongest effect in the combined treatment (39% fewer OTUs), mainly influencing rare species. We identified a differential effect on phylogenetic groups, with Diversisporales richness mainly reduced by N additions in contrast to Glomerales highly significantly affected solely by P. Regarding AMF community structure, we observed a compositional shift when analyzing presence/absence data following P additions. In conclusion, N and P additions in this ecosystem affect AMF abundance, but especially AMF species richness; these changes might influence plant community composition and productivity and by that various ecosystem processes.     

Phosphorus uptake by a community of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in jarrah forest

Communities of indigenous arbusuclar mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are expected to alter phosphorus uptake and biomass productivity of plants according to characteristics of the life cycles of the fungi present and the way they interact with each other inside roots and with host plants. Differences in the relative abundance of AM fungi inside roots could influence P uptake if the fungi present differ in effectiveness at accessing P and transferring it to the plant. However, it is difficult to assess the contribution of AM fungi under field conditions. We investigated P uptake, from point sources of P placed 2, 4 and 6 cm from roots, by plants colonised by a community of AM fungi in jarrah forest soil. Roots were retained within a mesh bag to prevent them from growing towards the point source of P. The relative abundance of morphotypes of fungi inside roots and the P status of plants were assessed after 12 and 16 weeks. First, a bioassay was carried out in undisturbed forest soil cores using two host plants, a forest understorey plant Phyllanthus calycinus Labill and the annual pasture species subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneaumL.), to assess the infectivity of the indigenous community of AM fungi. Roots of both bioassay host plants were colonised in similar proportions by morphotypes of AM fungi resembling Glomus, Acaulospora, Scutellospora and fine endophytes. In this bioassay, there were positive correlations between the proportion of root length colonised and plant biomass and P uptake for P. calycinus, but not for subterranean clover. In the experiment assessing the capacity of P. calycinus to access P placed at increasing distances from the root, shoot P content and concentration in P. calycinus were greater when P was placed 2 cm compared with 4 and 6 cm from roots. The length of hyphae in the vicinity of the point source of P decreased with increasing distance from the plant. The extent to which the individual AM fungi were involved in P uptake is not known. The Glomus morphotype was dominant at both times of sampling.     

Molecular identification and phylogeny of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

The fossil record and molecular data show that the evolutionary history of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Glomales) goes back at least to the Ordovician (460 million years ago), coinciding with the colonization of the terrestrial environment by the first land plants. At that time, the land flora only consisted of plants on the bryophytic level. Ribosomal DNA sequences indicate that the diversity within the Glomales on the family and genus level is much higher than previously expected from morphology-based taxonomy. Two deeply divergent lineages were found and described in two new genera, Archaeospora and Paraglomus, each in its own family. Based on a fast-growing number of available DNA sequences, several systems for molecular identification of the Glomales within roots have been designed and tested in the past few years. These detection methods have opened up entirely new perspectives for studying the ecology of arbuscular mycorrhiza.     

Communities of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in arable soils are not necessarily low in diversity

Communities of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in five agricultural field sites of different management intensities were studied. Variable regions of the ribosomal RNA genes were used to detect and identify AMF directly within colonized roots. Roots from a continuous maize monoculture showed low AMF diversity, in agreement with previous reports on molecular diversity of AMF in agricultural soils. In contrast, a substantially higher diversity of AMF was found throughout the long term 'DOK' field experiment, where organic and conventional agricultural practices have been compared side by side since 1978. In this experiment, a 7-year crop rotation is performed under lower levels of inorganic fertilizer input and chemical pest control. These results are in good agreement with analyses of the spore community previously conducted in these field sites. In a third site, an organically managed leek field with soil of very high phosphate content reflecting the highly intensive conventional field history and intensive tillage, we detected a low-diversity community comparable to the maize monoculture. In addition to fungi from Glomus group A, which have previously been reported to dominate arable soils, we regularly found members of the genera Scutellospora, Paraglomus and Acaulospora. The genus Acaulospora was shown to occur more frequently early in the growing season, suggesting that the life history strategy of AMF may influence the active community at a given time. These data show that the diversity of AMF is not always low in arable soils. Furthermore, low-input agriculture involving crop rotation may provide better conditions to preserve AMF diversity, by preventing the selection for the few AMF taxa tolerating high nutrient levels.     

林火对植物根围丛枝菌根真菌多样性的影响

林火是森林生态系统的一种主要干扰因子,以青岛市三标山林火迹地为研究对象,采集荆条(Vitex negundo)、胡枝子(Lespedeza bicolor)、花木蓝(Indigofera kirilowii)、青花椒(Zanthoxylum schinifolium)和野青茅(Deyeuxia arundinacea)5种优势植物根围土壤,研究不同林火强度对丛枝菌根(AM)真菌多样性的影响。结果表明,AM真菌侵染率和孢子密度随火灾强度的加强而降低;非过火区植物根围土壤中,分离鉴定出AM真菌3属11种,轻度过火区分离鉴定出AM真菌3属10种,中度过火区分离鉴定出AM真菌3属9种,重度过火区分离鉴定出AM真菌3属8种。过火区AM真菌种丰度低于非过火区。过火区和非过火区AM真菌的重要值和优势种不同,非过火区植物根围的优势种是地球囊霉(Glomus geosporum)、台湾球囊霉(G.taiwanensis)、分支巨孢囊霉(Gigaspora ramisporophora)、极大巨孢囊霉(Gi.gigantean)、福摩萨球囊霉(G.formosanum)、悬钩子球囊霉(G.rubiforme)、柯氏无梗囊霉(Acaulospora koskei)和松蜜无梗囊霉(A.thomii);轻度过火区植物根围的优势种是地球囊霉和台湾球囊霉;中度过火区的是台湾球囊霉和地球囊霉(野青茅除外);重度过火区植物根围的优势种是地球囊霉。不同强度的过火区对AM真菌群落组成有不同程度的影响。认为林火降低植物根围土壤中AM真菌多样性。     

High diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in natural and anthropized sites of a Brazilian tropical dry forest (Caatinga)

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) establish symbiotic associations with higher plants, which support the establishment and maintenance of plant communities across a range of environments, including those adversely affected by anthropogenic activity as well as natural sites. This study aimed at determining the diversity and distribution of AMF in areas of the tropical semi-arid region of Caatinga, Brazil, and compare areas in a naturally preserved state with anthropized sites. We characterized AMF communities in soil samples (n = 108), based on morphological taxonomy, at three sampling occasions and from six areas (typical Caatinga, extremely sandy Caatinga, stony Caatinga, rocky Caatinga, and two typical Caatinga areas that had been modified by human activities), at the National Park of Catimbau, Northeast Brazil. Eighty AMF species were recorded, with Glomus and Acaulospora predominating at all sites. There were significant differences in the composition of AMF communities between natural and anthropized sites, and among sampling occasions. Habitat-types also influenced AMF communities in Caatinga. Extensive tropical dry forest areas, such as the Catimbau National Park possess distinct niches, which maintain diverse AMF communities that are determined by anthropogenic activities, as well as vegetation types and environmental conditions.     

丛枝菌根真菌物种多样性研究进展

丛枝菌根(arbuscular mycorrhiza, AM)真菌是生态系统中生物多样性的重要组分之一,具有十分丰富的物种多样性、遗传多样性和功能多样性.该真菌分类地位不断提高已上升至门,下设1个纲、4个目、13个科,19个属,现已报道214种.丛枝菌根对保持生态平衡、稳定和提高生态系统可持续生产力具有重要作用.本文分析了世界范围内丛枝菌根真菌物种多样性研究现状、不同生态系统中影响丛枝菌根真菌物种多样性的关键因子及其调控途径;认为分子生物学技术是今后丛枝菌根真菌物种多样性研究的主要方法.     

喀斯特地区丛枝菌根真菌遗传多样性

为探明喀斯特地区丛枝菌根真菌( AMF)的遗传多样性特征,利用巢式PCR和DGGE相结合的分子生物学方法对茂兰喀斯特多个植被类型下的AMF遗传多样性进行了研究.结果表明,喀斯特地区AMF遗传多样性指数和物种丰富度分别平均为3.50和41,远高于非喀斯特对照样地的2.68和17,分析表明,喀斯特地区较高的AMF多样性与此地区丰富的植物多样性以及特殊的生态环境有关,是与喀斯特生态系统长期相互选择的结果.不同植被类型下的AMF多样性差异显著,相似性指数最高为0.34,喀斯特地区AMF的群落结构随着植被类型的改变发生显著变化;基因测序显示,喀斯特地区AMF的优势菌属是生态适应性很强的球囊霉属,在喀斯特石漠化生态恢复中具有较强的利用潜力.     

丛枝菌根真菌对大气CO2浓度升高和增温响应研究进展

全球变化深刻影响着陆地生态系统生物多样性及生态功能。丛枝菌根(AM)真菌可与绝大多数陆生植物根系形成互惠共生体,在协助宿主养分吸收、促进植物生长、维持植物多样性等方面发挥着重要作用。本文主要分析了大气CO₂浓度升高(eCO₂)和增温对森林和草地生态系统AM真菌群落组成及其功能的影响。eCO₂主要通过影响宿主植物、土壤碳(C)输入等方式间接影响AM真菌,可增加AM真菌的多度和活性,影响AM真菌的多样性与群落组成。增温可直接或间接地(通过宿主植物和土壤途径)影响AM真菌,显著改变森林土壤AM真菌的群落组成,但对草地土壤AM真菌群落组成的影响尚无定论。我们提出了当前研究中存在的主要问题及未来应重点关注的内容。本文旨在明晰AM真菌对eCO₂和增温的响应和适应,增进对AM真菌介导的土壤生态功能的认识,为利用AM真菌缓解全球变化、增强土壤功能的韧性和全球变化的生态系统适应性提供依据。     

Phosphate transporters of Medicago truncatula and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Most vascular plants acquire phosphate from their environment either directly, via the roots, or indirectly, via a symbiotic interaction with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. The symbiosis develops in the plant roots where the fungi colonize the cortex of the root to obtain carbon from the plant host, while assisting the plant with acquisition of phosphate and other mineral nutrients from the soil solution. As a first step toward understanding the molecular basis of the symbiosis and phosphate utilization, we have cloned and characterized phosphate transporter genes from the AM fungi Glomus versiforme and Glomus intraradices, and from the roots of a host plant, Medicago truncatula. Expression analyses and localization studies indicate that each of these transporters has a role in phosphate uptake from the soil solution.     

环境因子对AM真菌多样性的影响

土壤,气候和地理因子等环境因子对丝枝菌根（AM）真菌多样性有重要影响,本文系统地综述了最近10年来AM真菌生态学在该方面的最新研究成果,分析当前研究中所存在的问题和动向。     

海南霸王岭热带雨林常见植物丛枝菌根真菌调查

对海南霸王岭热带雨林的12科16种常见植物的丛枝菌根状况进行了调查,用碱解离-酸性品红染色法进行了真菌鉴定。结果表明,13种植物形成典型的丛枝菌根,占所调查植物的81%;3种植物没有形成丛枝菌根,占所调查植物的19%。用湿筛沉淀法从这些植物根际土壤中共分离鉴定出了3属11种丛枝菌根真菌(AMF),即无梗囊霉属(Acaulos-pora)3种,球囊霉属(Glomus)7种,巨孢囊霉属(Gigaspora)1种;其中,球囊霉属是样地的优势属。在AMF中,孔窝无梗囊霉(A.foveata)分离频率最高,在14种植物的根际土中都有发现;此外,大果球囊霉(G.macrocarpum)的相对多度最大,为59%,具有最强的产孢能力。同时,在11种植物的根中发现了深色有隔内生真菌(DSE),占调查植物的69%;其中,11种植物同时被DSE和AMF感染。