Abstract Detail

Poster Session

VanDorp, Carrie [1], Beiler, Kevin [2], Durall, Daniel M. [1].

Rhizopogon Sister Species Dominance Correlates to Forest Age Structure.

By mapping individual genets of mycorrhizae, we examined the interspecific interactions of two cryptic species of hypogeous ectomycorrhizal fungi in forests of different age-class structure.  We collected 420 tuberculate mycorrhizal samples in six 10m diameter plots.  Furthermore, we identified 93 distinct genotypes of Rhizopogon vesiculosus or Rhizopogon vinicolor using  6-7 microsatellite markers.  We quantified the relative abundance of each species from both uneven- and even-aged stands.  We found, in contrast to our expectations, that the abundance of R. vesiculosus genets and tubercles correlated positively with the presence of young Douglas-fir trees, whereas Rhizopogon vinicolor’s abundance was similar between the two forest types.  This study contributes to a growing body of knowledge concerning the interactions of these two cryptic species.  Our research indicates that the age of the tree symbiont may play a role in ectomycorrhizal community succession at the sub-genus level.  This study also highlights the presence of intra-genus variability and demonstrates the importance of distinguishing between species in future research of forest ecology

1 - University of British Columbia Okanagan, Biology, 3333 University Way, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V1V7, Canada
2 - Beuth Hochschule für Technik Berlin - University of Applied Sciences, Life Sciences & Technology, Luxemburger Str. 10, Berlin, 13353, Germany

Keywords:
Ectomycorrhizae
Fungal Genets
Mycorrhizal Succession.

Presentation Type: Offered Paper - Poster
Session: P2
Location: Lincoln Room/Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center
Date: Tuesday, June 10th, 2014
Time: 8:00 PM
Number: P2002
Abstract ID:34
Candidate for Awards:Graduate Student Poster Presentation Award