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Colonization patterns of mycorrhizal fungi associated with two rare orchids, Cephalanthera falcata and C. erecta

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Ecological Research

Abstract

We investigated the spatial distribution and taxonomic identity of mycorrhizal fungi colonizing the root systems of two threatened Cephalanthera species, C. falcata and C. erecta, in naturally regenerated forests. Peloton formation was observed in both plant species, confirming the existence of orchid mycorrhizas. For C. falcata, mycorrhization was significantly different among individuals, ranging from 14 to 63%, and no significant difference among C. erecta individuals was detected (57–68%). Mycorrhization among three growth directions of roots and between orchid species was not significantly different. The spatial distribution of mycorrhizas in both orchids showed significant differences, being most frequent at an apical position. Based on DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analyses, we inferred that the families Thelephoraceae and Sebacinaceae were mycobionts for C. falcata and Thelephoraceae for C. erecta. Our findings indicated that mycorrhizal colonization occurs at a distal position from the base of these orchid root systems and that mycorrhizal fungi are restricted to few ectomycorrhizal fungal families.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Mr. K. Shibata for the collection of orchids. We are grateful to Dr. M. Yamato (General Environmental Technos Co., Ltd.) and to two anonymous reviewers for valuable comments and helpful suggestions on the manuscript. We also thank the member of the Laboratory of Forest Pathology and Mycology for helping with fieldwork. This research was partly supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Exploratory Research to YM (20651061) from JSPS.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Forest Pathology and Mycology, Graduate School of Bioresources, Mie University, Kurimamachiya, Tsu, Mie, 514-8105, Japan

    Yosuke Matsuda & Shin-ichiro Ito

  2. Laboratory of Forest Pathology and Mycology, Faculty of Bioresources, Mie University, Kurimamachiya, Tsu, Mie, 514-8105, Japan

    Aya Amiya

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  1. Yosuke Matsuda
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  2. Aya Amiya
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  3. Shin-ichiro Ito
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Correspondence to Yosuke Matsuda.

Additional information

DNA sequence data reported are available in the DDBJ under AB444643–AB444655.

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Matsuda, Y., Amiya, A. & Ito, Si. Colonization patterns of mycorrhizal fungi associated with two rare orchids, Cephalanthera falcata and C. erecta . Ecol Res 24, 1023–1031 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11284-008-0575-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11284-008-0575-0

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