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Partner selection in the mycorrhizal mutualism
Author(s) -
Werner Gijsbert D. A.,
Kiers E. Toby
Publication year - 2015
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.13113
Subject(s) - mutualism (biology) , symbiosis , biology , selection (genetic algorithm) , context (archaeology) , mycorrhizal fungi , ecology , computer science , inoculation , paleontology , genetics , artificial intelligence , bacteria , immunology
Summary Partner selection in the mycorrhizal symbiosis is thought to be a key factor stabilising the mutualism. Both plant hosts and mycorrhizal fungi have been shown to preferentially allocate resources to higher quality partners. This can help maintain underground cooperation, although it is likely that different plant species vary in the spatial precision with which they can select partners. Partner selection in the mycorrhizal symbiosis is presumably context‐dependent and can be mediated by factors like (relative) resource abundance and resource fluctuations, competition among mycorrhizas, arrival order and cultivation history. Such factors complicate our current understanding of the importance of partner selection and its effectiveness in stimulating mutualistic cooperation.ContentsSummary 1437 I. Introduction 1437 II. Bidirectional partner selection in the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis 1438 III. Nutrient transport and partner selection 1438 IV. Mycorrhizal partner selection: an underground biological market? 1438 V. Potential factors influencing partner selection in the mycorrhizal symbiosis 1440 VI. Conclusions 1441Acknowledgements 1441References 1441