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Coexisting orchid species have distinct mycorrhizal communities and display strong spatial segregation
Author(s) -
Jacquemyn Hans,
Brys Rein,
Merckx Vincent S. F. T.,
Waud Michael,
Lievens Bart,
Wiegand Thorsten
Publication year - 2014
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/nph.12640
Subject(s) - orchidaceae , biology , spatial distribution , ecology , spatial ecology , niche differentiation , botany , phylogenetic tree , abundance (ecology) , niche , geography , biochemistry , remote sensing , gene
Summary Because orchids are dependent on mycorrhizal fungi for germination and establishment of seedlings, differences in the mycorrhizal communities associating with orchids can be expected to mediate the abundance, spatial distribution and coexistence of terrestrial orchids in natural communities. We assessed the small‐scale spatial distribution of seven orchid species co‐occurring in 25 × 25 m plots in two M editerranean grasslands. In order to characterize the mycorrhizal community associating with each orchid species, 454 pyrosequencing was used. The extent of spatial clustering was assessed using techniques of spatial point pattern analysis. The community of mycorrhizal fungi consisted mainly of members of the Tulasnellaceae, Thelephoraceae and C eratobasidiaceae, although sporadically members of the S ebacinaceae, R ussulaceae and C ortinariaceae were observed. Pronounced differences in mycorrhizal communities were observed between species, whereas strong clustering and significant segregation characterized the spatial distribution of orchid species. However, spatial segregation was not significantly related to phylogenetic dissimilarity of fungal communities. Our results indicate that co‐occurring orchid species have distinctive mycorrhizal communities and show strong spatial segregation, suggesting that mycorrhizal fungi are important factors driving niche partitioning in terrestrial orchids and may therefore contribute to orchid coexistence.