Mycorrhiza of the host-specific Lactarius deterrimus on the roots of Picea abies and Arctostaphylos uva-ursi.
The ectomycorrhizal basidiomycete species Lactarius deterrimus Gröger is considered to be a strictly host-specific mycobiont of Picea abies (L.) Karst. However, we identified arbutoid mycorrhiza formed by this fungus on the roots of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng. in a mixed stand at the alpine timberline; typical ectomycorrhiza of P. abies were found in close relation. A. uva-ursi is known as an extremely unspecific phytobiont. The mycorrhizae of both associations are described and compared morphologically. The mycorrhiza formed by L. deterrimus on both A. uva-ursi and P. abies show typical ectomycorrhizal features such as a hyphal mantle and a Hartig net. The main difference between the mycorrhizal symbioses with the different phytobionts is the occurrence of intracellular hyphae in the epidermal cells of A. uva-ursi. This emphasizes the importance of the plant partner for mycorrhizal anatomy. This is the first report of a previously considered host-specific ectomycorrhizal fungus in association with A. uva-ursi under natural conditions. The advantages of this loose specificity between the fungus and plant species is discussed.
Institute of Microbiology, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 25, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria. oliver.muehlmann@uibk.ac.at.
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Schneeburggasse 43a, Innsbruck, Austria.
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D029792:Arctostaphylos / Q000382:microbiology*; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000382:microbiology; D025301:Hyphae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D038821:Mycorrhizae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D028222:Picea / Q000382:microbiology*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000382:microbiology; D018514:Plant Structures; D013045:Species Specificity