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Consequences of Segregation and Genetic Exchange on Adaptability in Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF)

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Evolutionary Biology: Exobiology and Evolutionary Mechanisms

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Abstract

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form symbioses with the majority of land plants, improving the nutrition and productivity of plants. The fungi are coenocytic, grow clonally, and no sexual stage in their life cycle is known. Recent evidence suggests that AMF are heterokaryotes, i.e., that genetically different nuclei coexist within a single cytoplasm. In this chapter, we present the last studies that have investigated the ecological and evolutionary consequences of an AMF heterokaryotic system on both sides of the symbiosis: Fungi and plants. We first present two important mechanisms, namely segregation and genetic exchange, two processes directly related to the heterokaryotic state of AMF. We then present the consequences of segregation and genetic exchange on AMF/plant interactions. Finally, we discuss the role of heterokaryosis in the enhancement of AMF adaptability and how AMF have maintained genetically different nuclei.

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Acknowledgments

C. Angelard is funded by a Marie Curie Outgoing International Fellowship within the 7th European Community Framework Program (PIOF_GA_2009-251712).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Lausanne, Department of Ecology and Evolution, Biophore Building, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland

    Caroline Angelard & Ian R. Sanders

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  1. Caroline Angelard
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  2. Ian R. Sanders
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Correspondence to Caroline Angelard .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. CNRS UMR 6632, Labo. Evolution Biologique et, Université d'Aix-Marseille, place Victor Hugo 3, Marseille CX 03, 13331, France

    Pierre Pontarotti

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Angelard, C., Sanders, I.R. (2013). Consequences of Segregation and Genetic Exchange on Adaptability in Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF). In: Pontarotti, P. (eds) Evolutionary Biology: Exobiology and Evolutionary Mechanisms. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-38212-3_15

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