Abstract Detail

Fungal functional traits in a changing world

Branco, Sara [1], Bruns, Thomas D. [1], Singleton, Ian [2].

Fungi at a small-scale: spatial zonation of fungal assemblages around single trees.

Soil fungi are hyperdiverse and occur in complex and dynamic assemblages and it is unclear how taxa partition space, time, and resources even at a local scale. We studied the zonation patterns of soil fungi associated with trees in an attempt to understand small-scale spatial assemblage structure and its relationship to fungal growth habits and colonization abilities. We used ingrowth bags containing acid-washed sand to sample actively growing fungi under canopies and at drip lines of single pine trees at Point Reyes National Seashore, CA. Our sample of 20 trees was partitioned between young and old (>30) and we used next generation sequencing to document the soil fungi present in the bags. We found significant differences between fungi living under the canopy versus the drip line and between old versus young trees. The non-mycorrhizal fungi were much more numerous than the mycorrhizal, exhibiting higher richness under the drip line, and showing a clear partition within and across trees of different ages. Mycorrhizal fungi, on the other hand, showed no pattern of spatial zonation; this is in contrast with earlier studies of fruiting and root tip colonization around single trees.

1 - University of California, Plant and Microbial Biology, 321 Koshland Hall, Berkeley, Calfornia, 94720-3102 , USA
2 - Newcastle University, School of Biology, Ridley Building, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, United Kingdom

Keywords:
none specified

Presentation Type: Symposium or Colloquium Presentation
Session: SY1
Location: Auditorium/Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center
Date: Monday, June 9th, 2014
Time: 4:30 PM
Number: SY1004
Abstract ID:224
Candidate for Awards:None