Mycorrhiza Specificity: Its Role in the Development and Function of Common Mycelial Networks

Molina, Randy; Horton, Thomas R.

doi:10.1007/978-94-017-7395-9_1

Cited by 49 publications

(50 citation statements)

References 175 publications

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“…Many fungal mutualisms are not highly specific (Molina & Horton, 2015) and, for these, mutualist limitation and co-invasion are likely to be less important. The vast majority of ecosystems have arbuscular mycorrhizal associations dominated by species in the widespread order Glomerales, many of which have low host specificity, although plant-fungal community correlations have been found (Mart ınez-Garc ıa et al, 2015;Valyi et al, 2015).…”

Section: Symbiosis Specificitymentioning

confidence: 99%

The emerging science of linked plant–fungal invasions

et al. 2017

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Contents 1314I.1315II.1316III.1322IV.1323V.1325VI.1326VII.1326VIII.13271328References1328 Summary Invasions of alien plants are typically studied as invasions of individual species, yet interactions between plants and symbiotic fungi (mutualists and potential pathogens) affect plant survival, physiological traits, and reproduction and hence invasion success. Studies show that plant–fungal associations are frequently key drivers of plant invasion success and impact, but clear conceptual frameworks and integration across studies are needed to move beyond a series of case studies towards a more predictive understanding. Here, we consider linked plant–fungal invasions from the perspective of plant and fungal origin, simplified to the least complex representations or ‘motifs’. By characterizing these interaction motifs, parallels in invasion processes between pathogen and mutualist fungi become clear, although the outcomes are often opposite in effect. These interaction motifs provide hypotheses for fungal‐driven dynamics behind observed plant invasion trajectories. In some situations, the effects of plant–fungal interactions are inconsistent or negligible. Variability in when and where different interaction motifs matter may be driven by specificity in the plant–fungal interaction, the size of the effect of the symbiosis (negative to positive) on plants and the dependence (obligate to facultative) of the plant−fungal interaction. Linked plant–fungal invasions can transform communities and ecosystem function, with potential for persistent legacies preventing ecosystem restoration.

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Section: Symbiosis Specificitymentioning

confidence: 99%

The emerging science of linked plant–fungal invasions

et al. 2017

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“…Patterns of host preference have been commonly observed in multiple fungal guilds, including pathogens, saprotrophs and mutualists (Molina et al ., ; Zhou, ; van der Does & Rep, ). Differences in the magnitude of host preference and specificity among fungal guilds probably result from a complex set of factors, including the intimacy of association, phylogenetic and physiological differences among hosts, competitive interactions among fungi, mutualistic effects and preferential allocation of resources between symbionts (Molina & Horton, ; Heilmann‐Clausen et al ., ). It has traditionally been thought that parasitic organisms exhibit greater host specificity than mutualists in order to avoid host defense mechanisms and to secure greater physiological compatibility (Borowicz & Juliano, ; Antonovics et al ., ), but there is little empirical evidence (Gómez et al ., ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Host preference and network properties in biotrophic plant–fungal associations

et al. 2017

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Analytical methods can offer insights into the structure of biological networks, but mechanisms that determine the structure of these networks remain unclear. We conducted a synthesis based on 111 previously published datasets to assess a range of ecological and evolutionary mechanisms that may influence the plant-associated fungal interaction networks. We calculated the relative host effect on fungal community composition and compared nestedness and modularity among different mycorrhizal types and endophytic fungal guilds. We also assessed how plant-fungal network structure was related to host phylogeny, environmental and sampling properties. Orchid mycorrhizal fungal communities responded most strongly to host identity, but the effect of host was similar among all other fungal guilds. Community nestedness, which did not differ among fungal guilds, declined significantly with increasing mean annual precipitation on a global scale. Orchid and ericoid mycorrhizal fungal communities were more modular than ectomycorrhizal and root endophytic communities, with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in an intermediate position. Network properties among a broad suite of plant-associated fungi were largely comparable and generally unrelated to phylogenetic distance among hosts. Instead, network metrics were predominantly affected by sampling and matrix properties, indicating the importance of study design in properly inferring ecological patterns.

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“…Generalist mycorrhizal fungi can be shared among multiple plant species in a common mycorrhizal network (CMN), potentially altering interactions among plant species and changing the course of succession [3][4][5]. Here, we report for the first time the occurrence of ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) on the perennial herb Pulsatilla patens (L.) Mill.…”

Section: Digital Signaturementioning

confidence: 97%

“…Plants in these interactions often have a wide fungal symbiont range, being colonized by 10's to 100's of species of EMF from diverse lineages. The fungi, in contrast, exhibit more variation in specificity, with many broad generalists but some taxa colonizing only specific lineages of plants [5,6]. In most mixed ectomycorrhizal plant communities that have been examined, multihost fungi are common (e.g., [7]), suggesting that CMNs could be ubiquitous in these communities.…”

Section: Digital Signaturementioning

confidence: 99%

Pulsatilla patens (Ranunculaceae), a perennial herb, is ectomycorrhizal in northeastern Poland and likely shares ectomycorrhizal fungi with Pinus sylvestris

et al. 2018

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The sharing of species of ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) among different co-occurring host plant species could allow the formation of common mycorrhizal networks, which can alter plant-plant interactions and succession. Such sharing of EMF among woody species is thought to be common in many forests, but very few herbaceous plants form EMF, so they are assumed to be excluded from EMF networks in forests. We studied the EMF on roots of a common coniferous tree, Pinus sylvestris, and a co-occurring rare herbaceous perennial plant, Pulsatilla patens (Ranunculaceae), in northeastern Poland. We examined roots from co-occuring P. sylvestris and P. patens, visually classified EMF into morphotypes, studied tissue sections of mycorrhizal structures using compound microscopy, and used DNA sequencing to identify the fungi. On both host plant species, we observed EMF colonization, with colonized root tips exhibiting a swollen appearance, as well as a variety of colors and textures of fungal mycelium covering and emanating from those swollen tips. Sectioning and microscopic examination of an EMF morphotype common on P. patens confirmed the presence of a mantle and Hartig net, indicating the likely presence of functional ectomycorrhizal structures. The two most frequent EMF were Cenococcum geophilum and Piloderma olivaceum, and the latter was found to associate with both host plant species. Several EMF found here only on P. patens, including C. geophilum and two Russula species, are known from previous studies to also associate with P. sylvestris and other tree species. The observation of shared EMF between a coniferous tree and an understory herb indicates the potential for common mycorrhizal networks to alter interactions between these two species and may also indicate a unique way in which the distribution and abundance of a rare herbaceous plant may be influenced by shared mutualisms with a common co-occurring woody plant.

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Mycorrhiza Specificity: Its Role in the Development and Function of Common Mycelial Networks

Cited by 49 publications

References 175 publications

The emerging science of linked plant–fungal invasions

The emerging science of linked plant–fungal invasions

Host preference and network properties in biotrophic plant–fungal associations

Pulsatilla patens (Ranunculaceae), a perennial herb, is ectomycorrhizal in northeastern Poland and likely shares ectomycorrhizal fungi with Pinus sylvestris

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