Record ID No. |
5132 |
Author(s) |
Sietse van der Linde, Elizabeth Holden, Pamela I. Parkin, Ian J. Alexander, Ian C. Anderson , 2012 |
Affiliation |
University of Basel, Botanical Institute, Section of Plant Physiology, Hebelstrasse 1, CH4056 Basel, Switzerland. Email: sietse.vanderlinde@unibas.ch |
Title |
Now you see it, now you don’t: The challenge of detecting, monitoring and conserving ectomycorrhizal fungi |
Source. Vol.(no):Page |
Fungal Ecology 5 (5):633-640p. |
Categories |
Ectomycorrhiza |
Subjects |
Systematics |
Sub-subjects |
Molecular taxonomy |
Organism |
Hydnellum aurantiacum, H. caeruleum, Phellodon niger or Sarcodon glaucopus |
Country |
Switzerland, Western Europe |
Abstracts |
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. |