Mycorrhiza of the host-specific Lactarius deterrimus on the roots of Picea abies and Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

Abstract

The ectomycorrhizal basidiomycete species Lactarius deterrimus Gröger is considered to be a strictly host-specific mycobiont of Picea abies (L.) Karst. However, we identified arbutoid mycorrhiza formed by this fungus on the roots of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng. in a mixed stand at the alpine timberline; typical ectomycorrhiza of P. abies were found in close relation. A. uva-ursi is known as an extremely unspecific phytobiont. The mycorrhizae of both associations are described and compared morphologically. The mycorrhiza formed by L. deterrimus on both A. uva-ursi and P. abies show typical ectomycorrhizal features such as a hyphal mantle and a Hartig net. The main difference between the mycorrhizal symbioses with the different phytobionts is the occurrence of intracellular hyphae in the epidermal cells of A. uva-ursi. This emphasizes the importance of the plant partner for mycorrhizal anatomy. This is the first report of a previously considered host-specific ectomycorrhizal fungus in association with A. uva-ursi under natural conditions. The advantages of this loose specificity between the fungus and plant species is discussed.

Wide geographical and ecological distribution of nitrogen and carbon gains from fungi in pyroloids and monotropoids (Ericaceae) and in orchids

“…The pattern of symbiotic associations in this group of plants is thus seen to be analogous to that in fully MH (Taylor & Bruns, 1997; McKendrick et al ., 2002; Selosse et al ., 2002) and partially MH orchids (Bidartondo et al ., 2004; Selosse et al ., 2004), and in monotropoids (Bidartondo & Bruns, 2001, 2 002; Trudell et al ., 2003), which are specialized on particular fungi of a broad spectrum of ectomycorrhizal fungal taxa. It is also consistent with that recorded for members of the genera Arbutus and Arctostaphylos , the arbutoid mycorrhizas of which have been known for some time to be produced by a diverse range of ectomycorrhizal fungi (Molina & Trappe, 1982; Mühlmann & Göbl, 2006). Specialization of pyroloid species on ectomycorrhizal fungi is consistent with the situation reported by Tedersoo et al .…”

High diversity of ectomycorrhizal fungi associated with Arctostaphylos uva-ursi in subalpine and alpine zones: Potential inoculum for afforestation

“…This is in agreement with studies focussing on the mycobionts of similar, alpine or arctic areas (Visser, 1995;Kernaghan and Currah, 1998;Kernaghan and Harper, 2001;Jumpponen et al, 2002;Nara, 2006). However, we also observed an amazing number of specialists on the roots of A. uva-ursi (Mühlmann, 2004;Mühlmann and Göbl, 2006). L. deterrimus for example, is exclusively associated with Picea, whereas S. plorans occurs exclusively with five-needled Pinus species, in Europe P. cembra.…”

Diversity of Endemic Ectomycorrhizae of Humid Forests of South Cameroon

“…For Boletales ectomycorrhizae, plectenchymatous and tuberculate mantles are known with very diverse rhizomorphs (Smith and Pfister, 2009). Lactarius ECM show smooth plectenchymatous mantles with laticifiers but lack cystidia (Mühlmann and Göbl, 2006;Eberhardt et al, 2000;Luppi and Gautero, 1967). Russula ECM depict a heterogeneous assemblage of mantles and rhizomorph types.…”