title: Fine-scale genetic structure of natural Tuber aestivum sites in southern Germany.
abstract: Although the Burgundy truffle (Tuber aestivum) is an ectomycorrhizal fungus of important economic value, its subterranean life cycle and population biology are still poorly understood. Here, we determine mating type and simple sequence repeat (SSR) maternal genotypes of mapped fruiting bodies to assess their genetic structure within two naturally colonized forest sites in southern Germany. Forty-one genotypes were identified from 112 fruiting bodies. According to their mating types, the maternal genotypes were aggregated only in one population. Genotypic diversity of individuals that mostly were small and occurred in 1 out of 2 years of sampling was high. Although these results suggested a ruderal colonization strategy, some genets spread several hundred meters. This result indicates that, besides sexual spore dispersal, vegetative growth or spreading by mycelial propagules contributes to dissemination. In one site, fewer individuals with a tendency to expand genets belonging to only one genetic group were observed. In the second site, numerous small individuals were found and were grouped into two clearly differentiated genetic groups that were spatially intermingled. Forest characteristics and disturbances are possible reasons for the observed genetic patterns. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the biology of one of the most widespread and commercially important truffle species. This knowledge is critical for establishing and maintaining sustainable long-term truffle cultivations.
authors.affiliation: Swiss Federal Institute for Forest Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), Birmensdorf, 8903, Switzerland. molinier.virginie@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Virginie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Molinier
authors.affiliation: INRA, Université de Lorraine, UMR1136 Interactions Arbres-Microorganismes, Laboratoire d'Excellence ARBRE, F-54280, Champenoux, France.
authors.forename: Claude
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Murat
authors.affiliation: Swiss Federal Institute for Forest Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), Birmensdorf, 8903, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Andri
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baltensweiler
authors.affiliation: Swiss Federal Institute for Forest Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), Birmensdorf, 8903, Switzerland.|Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research, Bern, Switzerland.|Global Change Research Centre AS CR, Brno, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Ulf
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Büntgen
authors.affiliation: INRA, Université de Lorraine, UMR1136 Interactions Arbres-Microorganismes, Laboratoire d'Excellence ARBRE, F-54280, Champenoux, France.
authors.forename: Francis
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.affiliation: Swiss Federal Institute for Forest Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), Birmensdorf, 8903, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Meier
authors.affiliation: Swiss Federal Institute for Forest Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), Birmensdorf, 8903, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Moser
authors.affiliation: Deutsche Trüffelbäume, Radolfzell, Germany.
authors.forename: Ludger
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sproll
authors.affiliation: Deutsche Trüffelbäume, Radolfzell, Germany.
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Stobbe
authors.affiliation: Institute of Forest Sciences IWW, Freiburg University, Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Willy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tegel
authors.affiliation: Swiss Federal Institute for Forest Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), Birmensdorf, 8903, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Egli
authors.affiliation: Swiss Federal Institute for Forest Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), Birmensdorf, 8903, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Peter
mesh_terms: D001203:Ascomycota / Q000235:genetics*; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000235:genetics; D048690:Fruiting Bodies, Fungal; D049770:Genes, Mating Type, Fungal / Q000235:genetics; D005819:Genetic Markers; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D005858:Germany; D038821:Mycorrhizae / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D004271:DNA, Fungal; D005819:Genetic Markers
keywords: Burgundy truffle; Genets; Mating-type genes; Population genetics; Propagation strategy; SSR markers