Spatial distribution of genets in population of saprotrophic fungi Marasmius rotula on Mt. Stara planina

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the size and spatial distribution of mycelial individuals of Marasmius rotula at one locality on Mt. Stara planina in the Republic of Serbia. Total of 12 sporocarps were collected from investigated locality (Vidlič, Stara planina). Sporocarps were distributed in four groups and distances between them were approximately 10-30 meters. Genomic DNA was extracted from each sporocarp and used for inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) polymorphism analysis using (GTG) 5 and (GACA) 4 primers. Both primers showed reproducible band patterns on agarose gels and sporocarps with identical band patterns were considered to belong to the same individual (genet) and were grouped accordingly. Grouping with both primers determined that 12 analyzed sporocarps belong to 4 distinct genets (A, B, C, D). Approximate genet diameters were 2 m for two genets (A, B) and 15 m for one genet (C) while diameter of one genet (D) was not possible to determine since it was represented only by one sporocarp. The results presented here are the first data about size and spatial distribution of genets of M. rotula. To determine whether the obtained genet sizes are general trait of an analyzed species or a special trait appeared as an effect of environmental conditions, more information on the genet distribution of other M. rotula populations is needed.

Spatial distribution of genets in populations of saprotrophic basidiomycetes, Mycetinis alliaceus, Marasmius rotula and Gymnopus androsaceus, from Serbian and Montenegrin forests

“…The banding patterns obtained by both primers for samples MR3, MR6, and MR8 were not completely congruent, but they were grouped into the same genet. Out of all seven identified genets, four were represented by only one sporocarp, thus it was not possible to determine their approximate diameters, while other three had diameters ranging from 2 to 4 m. These results are in agreement with our previous study [11] where three distinct genets were identified from an area of similar size as in the present study. The approximate sizes of the two genets identified in the study of Bošković et al [11] were 2 m in diameter and one even appeared to be 15 m in diameter.…”

“…Out of all seven identified genets, four were represented by only one sporocarp, thus it was not possible to determine their approximate diameters, while other three had diameters ranging from 2 to 4 m. These results are in agreement with our previous study [11] where three distinct genets were identified from an area of similar size as in the present study. The approximate sizes of the two genets identified in the study of Bošković et al [11] were 2 m in diameter and one even appeared to be 15 m in diameter. Results from both studies indicate that even though they colonize distinct substrates, the genets of M. rotula can occupy relatively large areas of the forest floor.…”

“…The sizes and distributions of genets in populations of saprotrophic basidiomycetes, especially in the litter-exploiting group, have been rarely investigated [11][12][13][14][15][16]. In most of these studies the identification of genets was performed by somatic-incompatibility (SI) testing which may not accurately reveal their distribution in all cases [17].…”

“…In most of these studies the identification of genets was performed by somatic-incompatibility (SI) testing which may not accurately reveal their distribution in all cases [17]. Population studies of two litter-exploiting basidiomycetes, G. androsaceus and M. rotula [11,12], have found that the majority of genets were less than 2 m in diameter, with the exception of one genet of M. rotula which was approximately 15 m in diameter. These are relatively small when compared to genets of ectomycorrhizal species which are usually between 7 to 30 m [5,17], but can grow up to 600 m in diameter (e.g.…”