High diversity of root-associated fungi isolated from three epiphytic orchids in southern Ecuador |
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Authors: | Alžběta Novotná Ángel Benítez Paulo Herrera Darío Cruz Eva Filipczyková Juan Pablo Suárez |
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Affiliation: | 1. Department of Plant Taxonomy and Nature Conservation, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland;2. Sección de Ecología y Sistemática, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, San Cayetano Alto s/n C.P. 11 01 608, Loja, Ecuador;3. Ecología y Evolución de Sistemas Microbianos, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, San Cayetano Alto s/n C.P. 11 01 608, Loja, Ecuador |
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Abstract: | Knowledge of fungal root-associates is essential for effective conservation of tropical epiphytic orchids. We investigated the diversity of root-associated fungi of Cyrtochilum myanthum, Scaphyglottis punctulata and Stelis superbiens from a tropical mountain rainforest in southern Ecuador, using a culture dependent approach. We identified 115 fungal isolates, corresponding to 49 fungal OTUs, based on sequences of the nrDNA ITS and partial 28S region. Members of Ascomycota were unambiguously dominant (37 OTUs), including Trichoderma sp. as the most frequent taxon. Members of Basidiomycota (Agaricales and Polyporales) and Mucoromycota (Umbelopsidales and Mortierellales) were also identified. Four potential mycorrhizal OTUs of Tulasnellaceae and Ceratobasidiaceae were isolated from C. myanthum and S. superbiens. Fungal community composition was examined using Sørensen and Jaccard indices of similarity. Alfa diversity was significantly different between C. myanthum and S. superbiens. No difference in beta diversity of the fungal communities between the 3 orchid species and the collecting sites was detected. The study revealed a high diversity of fungi associated with orchid roots. Our results contribute to a better understanding of specific relationships between epiphytic orchids and their root-associated fungi. |
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Keywords: | Ascomycota Ceratobasidiaceae Orchid mycorrhiza Tulasnellaceae |
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