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Communities, populations and individuals of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi
Author(s) -
Rosendahl Søren
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2008.02378.x
Subject(s) - glomeromycota , biology , symbiosis , botany , ecology , arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi , taxonomy (biology) , arbuscular mycorrhiza , biodiversity , arbuscular mycorrhizal , bacteria , genetics , immunology , inoculation
Summary Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the phylum Glomeromycota are found globally in most vegetation types, where they form a mutualistic symbiosis with plant roots. Despite their wide distribution, only relatively few species are described. The taxonomy is based on morphological characters of the asexual resting spores, but molecular approaches to community ecology have revealed a considerable unknown diversity from colonized roots. Although the lack of genetic recombination is not unique in the fungal kingdom, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are probably ancient asexuals. The long asexual evolution of the fungi has resulted in considerable genetic diversity within morphologically recognizable species, and challenges our concepts of individuals and populations. This review critically examines the concepts of species, communities, populations and individuals of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.ContentsSummary 1 I. Introduction 1 II. Taxonomy and species recognition 2 III. Communities of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi 4 IV. Populations of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi 6 V. Individuals, genets or clones? 8 VI. Speciation in Glomeromycota 9 VII. Conclusion 10Acknowledgements 11References 11