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Differential effects of ephemeral colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in two Cuscuta species with different ecology

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Abstract

Seedlings of parasitic Cuscuta species are autotrophic but can survive only a short period of time, during which they must locate and attach to a suitable host. They have an ephemeral root-like organ considered not a “true” root by most studies. In the present study, two species with contrasting ecology were examined: Cuscuta gronovii, a North American riparian species, and Cuscuta campestris, an invasive dodder that thrives in disturbed habitats. The morphology, structure, and absorptive capability of their root-like organ were compared, their potential for colonization by two species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) was assessed, and the effect of the AMF on seedling growth and survival was determined. The root of both species absorbed water and interacted with AMF, but the two species exhibited dissimilar growth and survival patterns depending on the colonization level of their seedlings. The extensively colonized seedlings of C. gronovii grew more and survived longer than non-colonized seedlings. In contrast, the scarce colonization of C. campestris seedlings did not increase their growth or longevity. The differential growth responses of the AMF-colonized and non-colonized Cuscuta species suggest a mycorrhizal relationship and reflect their ecology. While C. gronovii roots have retained a higher ability to interact with AMF and are likely to take advantage of fungal communities in riparian habitats, the invasive C. campestris has largely lost this ability possibly as an adaptation to disturbed ecosystems. These results indicate that dodders have a true root, even if much reduced and ephemeral, that can interact with AMF.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Kevin Stevens for the help with the fungal scoring technique in the small roots of Cuscuta and to Susan Belfry from UNB, Microscopy and Microanalysis Facility for the assistance with the TEM. We also thank Larry Peterson and Kevin Stevens for providing constructive comments on an earlier draft of the manuscript. Two reviewers provided valuable suggestions that improved the manuscript. This research was supported by a Discovery grant from Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada (327013–06) and by Wilfrid Laurier University (240329) to M. Costea.

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  1. Department of Biology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3C5, Canada

    Behrang Behdarvandi, Frédérique C. Guinel & Mihai Costea

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  1. Behrang Behdarvandi
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  2. Frédérique C. Guinel
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  3. Mihai Costea
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Correspondence to Mihai Costea.

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Fig. S1

Transmission electron microscopy of putative root cap cells from 1-day-old seedlings of Cuscuta gronovii. (a) View of several cells, alive with dense cytoplasm. (b) Cell walls are thick, pectinaceous; numerous lipid droplets (l) are present in certain cells while other cells display numerous mitochondria (m). (c) Abundant smooth endoplasmic reticulum (ser) suggesting active lipid biosynthesis. (d). The lipid droplets (l) appear to aggregate into larger structures. (e–f) Plastids (amyloplasts, p) are also common in cells. (GIF 514 kb)

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Behdarvandi, B., Guinel, F.C. & Costea, M. Differential effects of ephemeral colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in two Cuscuta species with different ecology. Mycorrhiza 25, 573–585 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00572-015-0632-9

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