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Plant functional groups associate with distinct arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities
Author(s) -
Davison John,
García de León David,
Zobel Martin,
Moora Mari,
Bueno C. Guillermo,
Barceló Milagros,
Gerz Maret,
León Daniela,
Meng Yiming,
Pillar Valerio D.,
Sepp SiimKaarel,
Soudzilovaskaia Nadejda A.,
Tedersoo Leho,
Vaessen Stijn,
Vahter Tanel,
Winck Bruna,
Öpik Maarja
Publication year - 2020
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.16423
Subject(s) - ruderal species , biology , botany , glomeromycota , ecology , plant community , symbiosis , arbuscular mycorrhizal , ecological succession , genetics , habitat , bacteria
Summary The benefits of the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis between plants and fungi are modulated by the functional characteristics of both partners. However, it is unknown to what extent functionally distinct groups of plants naturally associate with different AM fungi. We reanalysed 14 high‐throughput sequencing data sets describing AM fungal communities associating with plant individuals (2427) belonging to 297 species. We examined how root‐associating AM fungal communities varied between plants with different growth forms, photosynthetic pathways, CSR (competitor, stress‐tolerator, ruderal) strategies, mycorrhizal statuses and N‐fixing statuses. AM fungal community composition differed in relation to all studied plant functional groups. Grasses, C 4 and nonruderal plants were characterised by high AM fungal alpha diversity, while C 4 , ruderal and obligately mycorrhizal plants were characterised by high beta diversity. The phylogenetic diversity of AM fungi, a potential surrogate for functional diversity, was higher among forbs than other plant growth forms. Putatively ruderal (previously cultured) AM fungi were disproportionately associated with forbs and ruderal plants. There was phylogenetic correlation among AM fungi in the degree of association with different plant growth forms and photosynthetic pathways. Associated AM fungal communities constitute an important component of plant ecological strategies. Functionally different plants associate with distinct AM fungal communities, linking mycorrhizal associations with functional diversity in ecosystems.