Petrolli, R. | Search bioRxiv

bioRxiv2024

Endophytic and ectomycorrhizal, an overlooked dual ecological niche? Insights from natural environments and Russula species

O_LIEctomycorrhizal (EcM) fungi play key roles in ecosystem functioning, in particular temperate ones. Recent findings suggest that they can endophytically colonize the roots of non-EcM plants. Here we aim at (i) providing new evidence of colonization of non-EcM hosts by EcM fungi, (ii) exploring factors driving such colonization (plant identity, site, root filter), and (iii) providing direct microscopical evidence for endophytism. C_LIO_LIUsing amplicon sequencing (ITS2), we described the root fungal communities of 42 plant species collected at nine locations in France. In two of those sites, we also compared rhizosphere and root fungal communities to identify a potential root filter. Finally, we investigated endophytism in Russula spp. at two Russula-rich sites using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) paired with confocal microscopy. C_LIO_LIWe find a large but variable share of EcM sequences in roots of non-EcM plant species, in particular nearby EcM hosts, suggesting that endophytism is a secondary ecological niche. Though EcM fungi were more abundant in the rhizosphere compared to roots, their composition was similar to that of roots, suggesting a poor root filter. We observed metabolically active hyphae of Russula spp. endophytically colonizing the apoplast of two non-EcM plant species. C_LIO_LIAs shown for other EcM fungi (e.g., Tuber spp., Ascomycota) we demonstrate the dual EcM/endophyte niche for Russula (Basidiomycota). The ecological consequences of this duality still need to be addressed. The ability to colonize two ecological niches may be a trait kept by EcM fungi which evolved from endophytic fungi, as stipulated by the "waiting room hypothesis". C_LI

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2022

Structure and specialization of mycorrhizal networks in phylogenetically diverse tropical communities

BackgroundThe root mycobiome plays a fundamental role in plant nutrition and protection against biotic and abiotic stresses. In temperate forests or meadows dominated by angiosperms, the numerous fungi involved in root symbioses are often shared between neighboring plants, thus forming complex plant-fungus interaction networks of weak specialization. Whether this weak specialization also holds in rich tropical communities with more phylogenetically diverse sets of plant lineages remains unknown. We collected roots of 30 plant species in semi-natural tropical communities including angiosperms, ferns, and lycophytes, in three different habitat types on La Reunion island: a recent lava flow, a wet thicket, and an ericoid shrubland. We identified root-inhabiting fungi by sequencing both the 18S rRNA and the ITS2 variable regions. We assessed the diversity of mycorrhizal fungal taxa according to plant species and lineages, as well as the structure and specialization of the resulting plant-fungus networks. ResultsThe 18S and ITS2 datasets are highly complementary at revealing the root mycobiota. According to 18S, Glomeromycotina colonize all plant groups in all habitats forming the least specialized interactions, resulting in nested network structures, while Mucoromycotina (Endogonales) are more abundant in the wetland and show higher specialization and modularity compared to the former. According to ITS2, mycorrhizal fungi of Ericaceae and Orchidaceae, namely Helotiales, Sebacinales, and Cantharellales, also colonize the roots of most plant lineages, confirming that they are frequent endophytes. While Helotiales and Sebacinales present intermediate levels of specialization, Cantharellales are more specialized and more sporadic in their interactions with plants, resulting in highly modular networks. ConclusionsThis study of the root mycobiome in tropical environments reinforces the idea that mycorrhizal fungal taxa are locally shared between co-occurring plants, including phylogenetically distant plants (e.g. lycophytes and angiosperms), where they may form functional mycorrhizae or establish endophytic colonization. Yet, we demonstrate that, irrespectively of the environmental variations, the level of specialization significantly varies according to the fungal lineages, probably reflecting the different evolutionary origins of these plant-fungus symbioses. Frequent fungal sharing between plants questions the roles of the different fungi in community functioning and highlights the importance of considering networks of interactions rather than isolated hosts.

ecology↗