Abstract
The mycorrhizal fungi in the roots of achlorophyllous Sciaphila japonica and S. tosaensis (Triuridaceae) were identified by molecular methods. The habitats of S. japonica were in a tree plantation of Japanese cypress, Chamaecyparis obtusa, and bamboo forests, and those of S. tosaensis were in a camellia forest and a bamboo forest. In the root cortical cells of both plants, aseptate hyphal coils were observed, which suggested the Paris-type arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM). A phylogenetic analysis based on a partial sequence of an AM fungal nuclear small subunit ribosomal RNA gene showed that the fungal DNA sequences of S. japonica were separated into three closely related clades. Those of S. tosaensis were separated into two clades, which were also closely related to each other. The AM fungi of S. japonica and S. tosaensis were completely separated in the phylogenetic tree even among those found in the same habitat, which suggests the high specificities in the plant-fungal partnerships. All the detected AM fungi in these plants belonged to Glomus-group A. Even though the habitats are in quite common environments, both plant species are known as endangered species in Japan. Such a definite specificity in AM symbioses seems to restrict the distribution of the myco-heterotrophic plants.
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Acknowledgments
We thank Dr. Tsutomu Teramine in Kochi Gakuen College, Mr. Hiroshi Fukuhara in The Kochi Prefectural Makino Botanical Garden, and Yasuo Katayama, Takeki Tabuchi and Hisanori Takeuchi, plant fanciers in Tokushima and Kochi Pref., for their kind help in the plant sampling. This study was supported by the Global COE Program “Advanced utilization of fungus/mushroom resources for sustainable society in harmony with nature” from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan.
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Yamato, M., Yagame, T. & Iwase, K. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in roots of non-photosynthetic plants, Sciaphila japonica and Sciaphila tosaensis (Triuridaceae). Mycoscience 52, 217–223 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10267-010-0084-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10267-010-0084-1