Mycorrhizal fungi are mutualists that play crucial roles in nutrient acquisition in terrestrial ecosystems. Mycorrhizal symbioses arose repeatedly across multiple lineages of Mucoromycotina, Ascomycota, and Basidiomycota. Considerable variation exists in the capacity of mycorrhizal fungi to acquire carbon from soil organic matter. Here, we present a combined analysis of 135 fungal genomes from 73 saprotrophic, endophytic and pathogenic species, and 62 mycorrhizal species, including 29 new mycorrhizal genomes. This study samples ecologically dominant fungal guilds for which there were previously no symbiotic genomes available, including ectomycorrhizal Russulales, Thelephorales and Cantharellales. Our analyses show that transitions from saprotrophy to symbiosis involve (1) widespread losses of degrading enzymes acting on lignin and cellulose, (2) co-option of genes present in saprotrophic ancestors to fulfill new symbiotic functions, (3) diversification of novel, lineage-specific symbiosis-induced genes, (4) proliferation of transposable elements and (5) divergent genetic innovations underlying the convergent origins of the ectomycorrhizal guild.
- MeSH
- ekosystém MeSH
- fungální proteiny genetika MeSH
- fylogeneze MeSH
- fyziologie rostlin MeSH
- genom fungální * MeSH
- houby klasifikace genetika fyziologie MeSH
- molekulární evoluce MeSH
- mykorhiza klasifikace genetika fyziologie MeSH
- rostliny mikrobiologie MeSH
- symbióza * MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. MeSH
The nuclear ribosomal DNA (nuc-rDNA) is widely used for the identification and phylogenetic reconstruction of Agaricomycetes. However, nuc-rDNA-based phylogenies may sometimes be in conflict with phylogenetic relationships derived from protein coding genes. In this study, the taxonomic position of the basidiomycetous mycobiont that forms the recently discovered sheathed ericoid mycorrhiza was investigated, because its nuc-rDNA is highly dissimilar to any other available fungal sequences in terms of nucleotide composition and length, and its nuc-rDNA-based phylogeny is inconclusive and significantly disagrees with protein coding sequences and morphological data. In the present work, this mycobiont was identified as Kurtia argillacea (= Hyphoderma argillaceum) residing in the order Hymenochaetales (Basidiomycota). Bioinformatic screening of the Kurtia ribosomal DNA sequence indicates that it represents a gene with a non-standard substitution rate or nucleotide composition heterogeneity rather than a deep paralogue or a pseudogene. Such a phenomenon probably also occurs in other lineages of the Fungi and should be taken into consideration when nuc-rDNA (especially that with unusual nucleotide composition) is used as a sole marker for phylogenetic reconstructions. Kurtia argillacea so far represents the only confirmed non-sebacinoid ericoid mycorrhizal fungus in the Basidiomycota and its intriguing placement among mostly saprobic and parasitic Hymenochaetales begs further investigation of its eco-physiology.
- MeSH
- Basidiomycota klasifikace genetika MeSH
- elongační faktor 1 genetika MeSH
- fylogeneze * MeSH
- GC bohatá sekvence MeSH
- mezerníky ribozomální DNA genetika MeSH
- mitochondriální DNA genetika MeSH
- mykorhiza klasifikace genetika MeSH
- ribozomální DNA genetika MeSH
- zastoupení bazí MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
Forest management practices often severely affect forest ecosystem functioning. Tree removal by clearcutting is one such practice, producing severe impacts due to the total reduction of primary productivity. Here, we assessed changes to fungal community structure and decomposition activity in the soil, roots and rhizosphere of a Picea abies stand for a 2-year period following clearcutting compared to data from before tree harvest. We found that the termination of photosynthate flow through tree roots into soil is associated with profound changes in soil, both in decomposition processes and fungal community composition. The rhizosphere, representing an active compartment of high enzyme activity and high fungal biomass in the living stand, ceases to exist and starts to resemble bulk soil. Decomposing roots appear to separate from bulk soil and develop into hotspots of decomposition and important fungal biomass pools. We found no support for the involvement of ectomycorrhizal fungi in the decomposition of roots, but we found some evidence that root endophytic fungi may have an important role in the early stages of this process. In soil, activity of extracellular enzymes also decreased in the long term following the end of rhizodeposition by tree roots.
- MeSH
- biomasa MeSH
- borovice mikrobiologie MeSH
- ekosystém MeSH
- houby klasifikace genetika růst a vývoj izolace a purifikace MeSH
- kořeny rostlin mikrobiologie MeSH
- mykobiom MeSH
- mykorhiza klasifikace genetika růst a vývoj izolace a purifikace MeSH
- půda chemie MeSH
- půdní mikrobiologie * MeSH
- rhizosféra MeSH
- stromy mikrobiologie MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
Orchid mycorrhizal (OrM) fungi play a crucial role in the ontogeny of orchids, yet little is known about how the structure of OrM fungal communities varies with space and environmental factors. Previous studies suggest that within orchid patches, the distance to adult orchids may affect the abundance of OrM fungi. Many orchid species grow in species-rich temperate semi-natural grasslands, the persistence of which depends on moderate physical disturbances, such as grazing and mowing. The aim of this study was to test whether the diversity, structure and composition of OrM fungal community are influenced by the orchid patches and management intensity in semi-natural grasslands. We detected putative OrM fungi from 0 to 32 m away from the patches of host orchid species (Orchis militaris and Platanthera chlorantha) in 21 semi-natural calcareous grasslands using pyrosequencing. In addition, we assessed different ecological conditions in semi-natural grasslands but primarily focused on the effect of grazing intensity on OrM fungal communities in soil. We found that investigated orchid species were mostly associated with Ceratobasidiaceae and Tulasnellaceae and, to a lesser extent, with Sebacinales. Of all the examined factors, the intensity of grazing explained the largest proportion of variation in OrM fungal as well as total fungal community composition in soil. Spatial analyses showed limited evidence for spatial clustering of OrM fungi and their dependence on host orchids. Our results indicate that habitat management can shape OrM fungal communities, and the spatial distribution of these fungi appears to be weakly structured outside the orchid patches.
- MeSH
- Basidiomycota MeSH
- fylogeneze MeSH
- mykorhiza klasifikace MeSH
- Orchidaceae mikrobiologie MeSH
- pastviny * MeSH
- půdní mikrobiologie * MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Estonsko MeSH
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and dark septate endophytes (DSE) form symbiotic relationships with plants influencing their productivity, diversity and ecosystem functions. Only a few studies on these fungi, however, have been conducted in extreme elevations and none over 5500 m a.s.l., although vascular plants occur up to 6150 m a.s.l. in the Himalayas. We quantified AMF and DSE in roots of 62 plant species from contrasting habitats along an elevational gradient (3400-6150 m) in the Himalayas using a combination of optical microscopy and next generation sequencing. We linked AMF and DSE communities with host plant evolutionary history, ecological preferences (elevation and habitat type) and functional traits. We detected AMF in elevations up to 5800 m, indicating it is more constrained by extreme conditions than the host plants, which ascend up to 6150 m. In contrast, DSE were found across the entire gradient up to 6150 m. AMF diversity was unimodally related to elevation and positively related to the intensity of AMF colonization. Mid-elevation steppe and alpine plants hosted more diverse AMF communities than plants from deserts and the subnival zone. Our results bring novel insights to the abiotic and biotic filters structuring AMF and DSE communities in the Himalayas.
- MeSH
- biodiverzita * MeSH
- endofyty klasifikace cytologie genetika fyziologie MeSH
- fylogeneze MeSH
- kořeny rostlin mikrobiologie MeSH
- mikroskopie MeSH
- mykorhiza klasifikace fyziologie MeSH
- nadmořská výška MeSH
- symbióza * MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Indie MeSH
Ericoid mycorrhiza represents a key adaptation of the Ericaceae plants to facilitate their establishment in harsh conditions. The Ericaceae are a large family of flowering plants, with global distribution. However, our current knowledge about the ericoid mycorrhizal fungal diversity and ecology largely relates to the Northern Hemisphere. Our study focused on the assembly of root-associated fungal (RAF) communities of Erica dominans in two types of microhabitats of contrasting moisture along an elevation gradient in Drakensberg mountains in South Africa. RAF communities were determined by 454-sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of ribosomal DNA. The majority of RAF showed affinity to the orders Helotiales, Pezizales, and Pleosporales. Microhabitat type as well as elevation had significant but weak effect on RAF community composition. We identified two putative ericoid mycorrhizal fungi, the ecological niches of which were differentiated between the studied microhabitats. Our study also provides one of the first comprehensive data about RAF communities of Ericaceae on African continent and shows the occurrence of the most studied ericoid mycorrhizal fungus Pezoloma ericae (belonging to P. ericae aggregate) in roots of Ericaceae host plant in Africa.
- MeSH
- Ericaceae mikrobiologie MeSH
- kořeny rostlin mikrobiologie MeSH
- mykorhiza klasifikace fyziologie MeSH
- půda * MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Jihoafrická republika MeSH
A novel dsRNA virus was identified in the mycorrhizal fungus Thelephora terrestris (Ehrh.) and sequenced. This virus, named Thelephora terrestris virus 1 (TtV1), contains two reading frames in different frames but with the possibility that ORF2 could be translated as a fusion polyprotein after ribosomal -1 frameshifting. Picornavirus 2A-like motif, nudix hydrolase, phytoreovirus S7, and RdRp domains were found in a unique arrangement on the polyprotein. A new genus named Phlegivirus and containing TtV1, PgLV1, RfV1 and LeV is therefore proposed. Twenty species of oribatid mites were identified in soil material in the vicinity of T. terrestris. TtV1 was detected in large amounts in Steganacarus (Tropacarus) carinatus (C.L. Koch, 1841) and in much smaller amounts in Nothrus silvestris (Nicolet). This is the first description of mycovirus presence in oribatid mites.
- MeSH
- Basidiomycota virologie MeSH
- Bunyaviridae klasifikace genetika izolace a purifikace MeSH
- fylogeneze MeSH
- molekulární sekvence - údaje MeSH
- mykorhiza klasifikace genetika izolace a purifikace MeSH
- mykoviry klasifikace genetika izolace a purifikace MeSH
- roztoči mikrobiologie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are ubiquitous mutualists of terrestrial plants and play key roles in regulating various ecosystem processes, but little is known about AMF biogeography at regional scale. This study aims at exploring the key predictors of AMF communities across a 5000-km transect in northern China. We determined the soil AMF species richness and community composition at 47 sites representative of four vegetation types (meadow steppe, typical steppe, desert steppe and desert) and related them to plant community characteristics, abiotic factors and geographic distance. The results showed that soil pH was the strongest predictor of AMF richness and phylogenetic diversity. However, abiotic factors only have a low predictive effect on AMF community composition or phylogenetic patterns. By contrast, we found a significant relationship between community composition of AMF and plants, which was a surprising result given the extent of heterogeneity in the plant community across this transect. Moreover, the geographic distance predominantly explained the AMF phylogenetic structure, implying that history evolutionary may play a role in shaping AMF biogeographic patterns. This study highlighted the different roles of main factors in predicting AMF biogeography, and bridge landscape-scale studies to more recent global-scale efforts.
- MeSH
- fylogeografie * MeSH
- hostitelská specificita MeSH
- koncentrace vodíkových iontů MeSH
- mykorhiza klasifikace genetika izolace a purifikace MeSH
- půda chemie MeSH
- rostliny mikrobiologie MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Čína MeSH
Upward migration of plants to barren subnival areas is occurring worldwide due to raising ambient temperatures and glacial recession. In summer 2012, the presence of six vascular plants, growing in a single patch, was recorded at an unprecedented elevation of 6150 m.a.s.l. close to the summit of Mount Shukule II in the Western Himalayas (Ladakh, India). Whilst showing multiple signs of stress, all plants have managed to establish stable growth and persist for several years. To learn about the role of microbes in the process of plant upward migration, we analysed the root-associated microbial community of the plants (three individuals from each) using microscopy and tagged amplicon sequencing. No mycorrhizae were found on the roots, implying they are of little importance to the establishment and early growth of the plants. However, all roots were associated with a complex bacterial community, with richness and diversity estimates similar or even higher than the surrounding bare soil. Both soil and root-associated communities were dominated by members of the orders Sphingomonadales and Sphingobacteriales, which are typical for hot desert soils, but were different from communities of temperate subnival soils and typical rhizosphere communities. Despite taxonomic similarity on the order level, the plants harboured a unique set of highly dominant operational taxonomic units which were not found in the bare soil. These bacteria have been likely transported with the dispersing seeds and became part of the root-associated community following germination. The results indicate that developing soils act not only as a source of inoculation to plant roots but also possibly as a sink for plant-associated bacteria.
- MeSH
- Bacteria klasifikace izolace a purifikace MeSH
- biomasa MeSH
- Brassicaceae klasifikace mikrobiologie MeSH
- DNA bakterií genetika MeSH
- DNA fungální genetika MeSH
- kořeny rostlin mikrobiologie MeSH
- lipnicovité klasifikace mikrobiologie MeSH
- mykorhiza klasifikace izolace a purifikace MeSH
- půdní mikrobiologie MeSH
- rhizosféra MeSH
- RNA ribozomální 16S genetika MeSH
- Saussurea klasifikace mikrobiologie MeSH
- sekvenční analýza DNA MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Indie MeSH
Turnover of fungal biomass in forest litter and soil represents an important process in the environment. To date, knowledge of mycelial decomposition has been derived primarily from short-term studies, and the guild of mycelium decomposers has been poorly defined. Here, we followed the fate of the fruiting bodies of an ectomycorrhizal fungus in litter and soil of a temperate forest over 21 wk. The community of associated microbes and enzymatic processes in this specific substrate were described. The decomposition of fungal fruiting bodies exhibited biphasic kinetics. The rapid initial phase, which included the disappearance of DNA, was followed by a slower turnover of the recalcitrant fraction. Compared with the surrounding litter and soil, the mycelium represented a hotspot of activity of several biopolymer-degrading enzymes and high bacterial biomass. Specific communities of bacteria and fungi were associated with decomposing mycelium. These communities differed between the initial and late phases of decomposition. The bacterial community associated with decomposing mycelia typically contained the genera Pedobacter, Pseudomonas, Variovorax, Chitinophaga, Ewingella and Stenotrophomonas, whereas the fungi were mostly nonbasidiomycetous r-strategists of the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, Mortierella, Cladosporium and several others. Decomposing ectomycorrhizal fungal mycelium exhibits high rates of decomposition and represents a specific habitat supporting a specific microbial community.
