Ancient lineages of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi provide little plant benefit.

Almost all land plants form symbiotic associations with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Individual plants usually are colonized by a wide range of phylogenetically diverse AMF species. The impact that different AMF taxa have on plant growth is only partly understood. We screened 44 AMF isolates for their effect on growth promotion and nutrient uptake of leek plants (Allium porrum), including isolates that have not been tested previously. In particular, we aimed to test weather AMF lineages with an ancient evolutionary age differ from relatively recent lineages in their effects on leek plants. The AMF isolates that were tested covered 18 species from all five AMF orders, eight families, and 13 genera. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse. A soil-sand mixture was used as substrate for the leek plants. Plant growth response to inoculation with AMF varied from - 19 to 232% and depended on isolate, species, and family identity. Species from the ancient families Archaeosporaceae and Paraglomeraceae tended to be less beneficial, in terms of stimulation plant growth and nutrient uptake, than species of Glomeraceae, Entrophosporaceae, and Diversisporaceae, which are considered phylogenetically more recent than those ancient families. Root colonization levels also depended on AMF family. This study indicates that plant benefit in the symbiosis between plants and AMF is linked to fungal identity and phylogeny and it shows that there are large differences in effectiveness of different AMF.

Edaphic Factors Influence the Distribution of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Along an Altitudinal Gradient of a Tropical Mountain.

Changes in relief in montane areas, with increasing altitude, provide different biotic and abiotic conditions, acting on the species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). The objective of this work was to determine the influence of altitude, edaphic factors, and vegetation on the AMF species in a mountainous area. The list of AMF species was obtained from morphological identification of the spores, with 72 species recovered from field samples and trap cultures. Lower levels of Shannon's diversity occurred only at lower altitude; however, there was no difference in AMF richness. The structure of the AMF assembly between the two highest altitudes was similar and differed in relation to the lower altitude. There was variation in the distribution of AMF species, which was related to soil texture and chemical factors along the altitude gradient. Some species, genera, and families were indicative of a certain altitude, showing the preference of fungi for certain environmental conditions, which may aid in decisions to conserve montane ecosystems.

Fungal Systematics and Evolution: FUSE 5.

Thirteen new species are formally described: Cortinarius brunneocarpus from Pakistan, C. lilacinoarmillatus from India, Curvularia khuzestanica on Atriplex lentiformis from Iran, Gloeocantharellus neoechinosporus from China, Laboulbenia bernaliana on species of Apenes, Apristus, and Philophuga (Coleoptera, Carabidae) from Nicaragua and Panama, L. oioveliicola on Oiovelia machadoi (Hemiptera, Veliidae) from Brazil, L. termiticola on Macrotermes subhyalinus (Blattodea, Termitidae) from the DR Congo, Pluteus cutefractus from Slovenia, Rhizoglomus variabile from Peru, Russula phloginea from China, Stagonosporopsis flacciduvarum on Vitis vinifera from Italy, Strobilomyces huangshanensis from China, Uromyces klotzschianus on Rumex dentatus subsp. klotzschianus from Pakistan. The following new records are reported: Alternaria calendulae on Calendula officinalis from India; A. tenuissima on apple and quince fruits from Iran; Candelariella oleaginescens from Turkey; Didymella americana and D. calidophila on Vitis vinifera from Italy; Lasiodiplodia theobromae causing tip blight of Dianella tasmanica 'variegata' from India; Marasmiellus subpruinosus from Madeira, Portugal, new for Macaronesia and Africa; Mycena albidolilacea, M. tenuispinosa, and M. xantholeuca from Russia; Neonectria neomacrospora on Madhuca longifolia from India; Nothophoma quercina on Vitis vinifera from Italy; Plagiosphaera immersa on Urtica dioica from Austria; Rinodina sicula from Turkey; Sphaerosporium lignatile from Wisconsin, USA; and Verrucaria murina from Turkey. Multi-locus analysis of ITS, LSU, rpb1, tef1 sequences revealed that P. immersa, commonly classified within Gnomoniaceae (Diaporthales) or as Sordariomycetes incertae sedis, belongs to Magnaporthaceae (Magnaporthales). Analysis of a six-locus Ascomycota-wide dataset including SSU and LSU sequences of S. lignatile revealed that this species, currently in Ascomycota incertae sedis, belongs to Pyronemataceae (Pezizomycetes, Pezizales).

Septoglomus altomontanum, a new arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus from mountainous and alpine areas in Andalucía (southern Spain).

A new arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus was found in Sierra Nevada National Park of Andalucía (Southern Spain). It forms intraradical hyphae, vesicles and arbuscles, typical characteristics of Glomeromycetes. The spores are dark reddish brown to dark reddish black, 132-205 µm diam, and are formed on pigmented subtending hyphae whose pores are regularly closed by a thick septum at the spore base but without support of introverted wall thickening. Phylogenetic analyses on concatenate sequences of the partial SSU, ITS region and the partial LSU of the rDNA confirm the new species, described here as Septoglomus altomontanum, in a monophyletic clade next to S. africanum. An identification key to all Septoglomus species described is given. The new fungus can unequivocally be distinguished from all other Septoglomus species by the combination of spore size, colour and spore wall structure, and especially by the shape and colour of the subtending hyphae. Septoglomus altomontanum has so far been found only in soils with pH 5.9-6.7, located in mountainous and alpine altitudes (1800-3100 m asl) of Sierra Nevada which is well known for a high degree of plant endemism. While it is a frequent fungus in this area, it has so far not been found in lower altitudes in Andalucía.

Phylogenetic analysis of Glomeromycota by partial LSU rDNA sequences.

We analyzed the large subunit ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene [LSU ribosomal DNA (rDNA)] as a phylogenetic marker for arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal taxonomy. Partial LSU rDNA sequences were obtained from ten AM fungal isolates, comprising seven species, with two new primers designed for Glomeromycota LSU rDNA. The sequences, together with 58 sequences available from the databases, represented 31 AM fungal species. Neighbor joining and parsimony analyses were performed with the aim of evaluating the potential of the LSU rDNA for phylogenetic resolution. The resulting trees indicated that Archaeosporaceae are a basal group in Glomeromycota, Acaulosporaceae and Gigasporaceae belong to the same clade, while Glomeraceae are polyphyletic. The results support data obtained with the small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene, demonstrating that the LSU rRNA gene is a useful molecular marker for clarifying taxonomic and phylogenetic relationships in Glomeromycota.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in a semiarid copper mining area in Brazil.

The occurrence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in a copper mining area was investigated. Soil samples were collected from six sites at the Mineração Caraiba, Bahia State, northeastern Brazil, comprising: (1) a site that receives the waste product; (2) a site that receives low grade deposits; (3) the interface between the caatinga and site 1; (4) the surroundings of the industrial area; (5) the site for extracting topsoil for land filling; (6) the preserved caatinga. Thirty-two plant species were identified around the collection locations. Trap cultures were maintained in the greenhouse for 3 months, using bahia grass ( Paspalum notatum Flügge) as the host plant. Spores were extracted from soil and 21 AMF species (15 Glomus and one of each of Acaulospora, Archaeospora, Entrophospora, Gigaspora , Paraglomus and Scutellospora) were identified. In site 1, plants or AMF were not found during the dry season. Site 6, with native vegetation, had the highest number of plants and AMF species. The disturbed sites showed less plant diversification, with the community of AMF being quantitative and qualitatively affected by disturbance.