Comment on “Global assessment of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus diversity reveals very low endemism”

Bruns, Thomas D.; Taylor, John W.

doi:10.1126/science.aad4228

Cited by 66 publications

(54 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…We anticipate that molecular markers vary substantially in taxonomic resolution and that optimal thresholds for species delimitation may differ across fungal phyla. In particular, SSU and LSU are often estimated to have coarser taxonomic resolution than other fungal barcoding markers (Lindahl et al ., ; Bruns & Taylor, ; but see Thiéry et al ., ). However, our results do not support systematic deviation of network structure among studies based on SSU, LSU, ITS or culture morphology.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

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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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Host preference and network properties in biotrophic plant–fungal associations

et al. 2017

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“…Instead, dispersal limitation seems to have a crucial role in producing the patterns of fungal diversity and community structure that are observed across a range of spatial (see the figure, solid lines (or, where speculative, dashed lines)) and temporal scales (see the figure, y-axis). Evolution of unique bio-geographical assemblages [48][49][50][51] Limited gene flow leads to population differentiation 47,52 Introduction of invasive species disrupts local communities 109 Dispersal limitation may affect species richness and colonization rate for isolated habitats 37 Priority effects increase spatial heterogeneity of assemblages 66,67,68 Dispersal traits influence community assembly 37 Dispersal distance of most spores 37,114,116 Nature Reviews | Microbiology…”

Section: Box 3 | Spore Dispersalmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, a recently published study that shows global cosmopolitanism for arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi 47 may be an artefact of using a highly conserved gene locus. To illustrate the potential of a highly conserved gene locus to produce such an artefact, consider the effect of using an analogous locus to define mammalian species: such a classification would combine humans, most placental mammals and some marsupials into a single species 48 . Similarly, the litter saprotroph Thelonectria discophora in the Ascomycota, was, until recently, thought to be a classic example of a cosmopolitan species, being present on every continent except Antarctica.…”

Section: Beringiamentioning

confidence: 99%

Dimensions of biodiversity in the Earth mycobiome

2016

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Fungi represent a large proportion of the genetic diversity on Earth and fungal activity influences the structure of plant and animal communities, as well as rates of ecosystem processes. Large-scale DNA-sequencing datasets are beginning to reveal the dimensions of fungal biodiversity, which seem to be fundamentally different to bacteria, plants and animals. In this Review, we describe the patterns of fungal biodiversity that have been revealed by molecular-based studies. Furthermore, we consider the evidence that supports the roles of different candidate drivers of fungal diversity at a range of spatial scales, as well as the role of dispersal limitation in maintaining regional endemism and influencing local community assembly. Finally, we discuss the ecological mechanisms that are likely to be responsible for the high heterogeneity that is observed in fungal communities at local scales.

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“…They concluded that orchid distribution was not limited by OMFs at geographic scales, but it could be locally limited. Some of the apparent lack of limitation and wide geographic distribution of OMFs, as well as many arbuscular and ectomycorrhizal fungi, may be a result of lumping fungi into ‘species’ based on inappropriate DNA sequence similarity (Bruns & Taylor, ). The goal of this review is to expand beyond the conclusions of McCormick and Jacquemyn by examining more recent research results and the evidence for the ways in which OMFs can be limiting at local scales, including evidence for the effects of OMFs abundance and identity.…”

Section: Orchid Mycorrhizaementioning

confidence: 99%

Mycorrhizal fungi affect orchid distribution and population dynamics

2018

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Symbioses are ubiquitous in nature and influence individual plants and populations. Orchids have life history stages that depend fully or partially on fungi for carbon and other essential resources. As a result, orchid populations depend on the distribution of orchid mycorrhizal fungi (OMFs). We focused on evidence that local-scale distribution and population dynamics of orchids can be limited by the patchy distribution and abundance of OMFs, after an update of an earlier review confirmed that orchids are rarely limited by OMF distribution at geographic scales. Recent evidence points to a relationship between OMF abundance and orchid density and dormancy, which results in apparent density differences. Orchids were more abundant, less likely to enter dormancy, and more likely to re-emerge when OMF were abundant. We highlight the need for additional studies on OMF quantity, more emphasis on tropical species, and development and application of next-generation sequencing techniques to quantify OMF abundance in substrates and determine their function in association with orchids. Research is also needed to distinguish between OMFs and endophytic fungi and to determine the function of nonmycorrhizal endophytes in orchid roots. These studies will be especially important if we are to link orchids and OMFs in efforts to inform conservation.

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Comment on “Global assessment of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus diversity reveals very low endemism”

Cited by 66 publications

References 11 publications

Host preference and network properties in biotrophic plant–fungal associations

Host preference and network properties in biotrophic plant–fungal associations

Dimensions of biodiversity in the Earth mycobiome

Mycorrhizal fungi affect orchid distribution and population dynamics

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