Now you see it, now you don’t: The challenge of detecting, monitoring and conserving ectomycorrhizal fungi

Fungi are a vital component of ecosystem biodiversity, but spend most of their lives hidden from view. Monitoring ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi has mostly relied on the abundance and distribution of above-ground sporocarps without consideration of their below-ground vegetative mycelium. Molecular meth...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Fungal ecology 2012-10, Vol.5 (5), p.633-640
Main Authors: van der Linde, Sietse, Holden, Elizabeth, Parkin, Pamela I., Alexander, Ian J., Anderson, Ian C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abundance
Below-ground detection
Biodiversity
DNA
ecosystems
ectomycorrhizae
Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi
Ectomycorrhizas
Extinction
Extracellular matrix
Fungal conservation
Fungi
Hydnellum
monitoring
mycelium
Phellodon
RNA
Sarcodon
Soil
soil sampling
Species persistence
Species-specific PCR
sporocarps
Stipitate hydnoid fungi
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Summary:Fungi are a vital component of ecosystem biodiversity, but spend most of their lives hidden from view. Monitoring ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi has mostly relied on the abundance and distribution of above-ground sporocarps without consideration of their below-ground vegetative mycelium. Molecular methods may provide the means of obtaining this information and allow a more accurate determination of their possible decline and threat of extinction. Stipitate hydnoid sporocarp occurrence was recorded and mapped for 9 yr at two sites in Scotland, UK. Soil samples were collected at locations where sporocarps of Hydnellum aurantiacum, Hydnellum caeruleum, Phellodon niger or Sarcodon glaucopus had occurred 1–4 yr previously. Species-specific DNA was detected at all sporocarp locations and RNA was detected at 75 % of the locations indicating that these species remained below-ground and viable at the majority of locations for at least 4 yr in the absence of sporocarps. ► Below-ground persistence and activity of rare stipitate hydnoid fungi was evaluated. ► Below-ground persistence was compared to sporocarp occurrence. ► Soil samples were collected where sporocarps had occurred 1–4 yr previously. ► Target-specific DNA (indicating persistence) was detected in all soil samples. ► Target-specific RNA (active mycelium) was detected at 75 % of sporocarp locations.
ISSN:1754-5048
DOI:10.1016/j.funeco.2012.04.002