Abstract Detail

Symbioses: Plant, Animal, and Microbe Interactions

Becklin, Katie M. [1], Hertweck, Kate [1], Jumpponen, Ari [2].

Host identity has a greater impact on rhizosphere fungal communities than habitat in an alpine ecosystem.

Below ground interactions can significantly affect communities and ecosystems, yet the diversity and composition of soil biota are still relatively unknown. We evaluated the effects of habitat and host identity on the richness, diversity, and composition of rhizosphere fungi colonizing three alpine plant species, Taraxacum ceratophorum, Taraxacum officinale, and Polemonium viscosum. Roots were collected from open meadow and willow understory habitats above timberline on Pennsylvania Mountain (Park County, CO, USA). Fungal SSU rDNA was sequenced using 454 pyrosequencing, sample-specific DNA tags, and fungal-specific primers. We categorized operational taxonomic units (OTUs) as arbuscular mycorrhizal (AMF) or non-arbuscular mycorrhizal (NON-AMF) fungi, then tested whether habitat or host indentity influenced these fungal communities. Total AMF and NON-AMF richness was similar between habitats, but varied among host species. Within individual root samples AMFrichness was higher in the open meadow than in the willow understory, and both AMF richness and diversity were highest in T. ceratophorum compared to the other host species. Within individual root samples NON-AMF richness and diversity was similar among host species except in the willow understory where diversity was reduced in T.officinale. Fungal community composition was influenced by host identity, but not habitat. Specifically, T. ceratophorum and P. viscosum hosted similar AMF communities, while T. ceratophorum and T. officinale hosted similar NON-AMF communities. Our results suggest that host identity has a stronger effect on rhizosphere fungi than habitat. Furthermore, although host identity influenced both AMF and NON-AMF this effect was stronger for the mutualistic AMF community.

Broader Impacts:

1 - University Of Missouri Columbia, 1201 East Rollins Rd, Life Science Center 311, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
2 - Kansas State University, Division of Biology, 433 Ackert Hall, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA

Keywords:
alpine
Arbuscular mycorrhizae
Rhizosphere
Host preference
diversity.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Topics
Session: 38
Location: Portland Room/Chase Park Plaza
Date: Tuesday, July 12th, 2011
Time: 5:00 PM
Number: 38006
Abstract ID:339