Journal Article

Mycorrhizal ecology and evolution: the past, the present, and the future

Sanders, Ian R, Martin, Francis M, ANR-11-LABX-0002,ARBRE,Recherches Avancées sur l'Arbre et les Ecosytèmes Forestiers, LabEx ARBRE : Advanced Research on the Biology of Tree and Forest Ecosystems ([LabEx ARBRE]) ; Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA)-AgroParisTech-CRITT Bois-Office National des Forêts (ONF)-Université de Lorraine (UL)-Centre National de la Propriété Forestière-European Forest Institute = Institut Européen de la Forêt = Euroopan metsäinstituutti (EFI), van Der Heijden, Marcel G. A, Universiteit Utrecht / Utrecht University [Utrecht], Université de Lausanne = University of Lausanne (UNIL), Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies (IEU) ; Universität Zürich [Zürich] = University of Zurich (UZH), Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB) ; Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN)-Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris 6 (UPMC)-École Pratique des Hautes Études (EPHE) ; Université Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL)-Université Paris Scie

2015

Overview

Almost all land plants form symbiotic associations with mycorrhizal fungi. These below-ground fungi play a key role in terrestrial ecosystems as they regulate nutrient and carbon cycles, and influence soil structure and ecosystem multifunctionality. Up to 80% of plant N and P is provided by mycorrhizal fungi and many plant species depend on these symbionts for growth and survival. Estimates suggest that there are c. 50000 fungal species that form mycorrhizal associations with c. 250000 plant species. The development of high-throughput molecular tools has helped us to better understand the biology, evolution, and biodiversity of mycorrhizal associations. Nuclear genome assemblies and gene annotations of 33 mycorrhizal fungal species are now available providing fascinating opportunities to deepen our understanding of the mycorrhizal lifestyle, the metabolic capabilities of these plant symbionts, the molecular dialogue between symbionts, and evolutionary adaptations across a range of mycorrhizal associations. Large-scale molecular surveys have provided novel insights into the diversity, spatial and temporal dynamics of mycorrhizal fungal communities. At the ecological level, network theory makes it possible to analyze interactions between plant-fungal partners as complex underground multi-species networks. Our analysis suggests that nestedness, modularity and specificity of mycorrhizal networks vary and depend on mycorrhizal type. Mechanistic models explaining partner choice, resource exchange, and coevolution in mycorrhizal associations have been developed and are being tested. This review ends with major frontiers for further research.

• Publisher: Wiley,CCSD,Academic Press,New Phytologist Trust,Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subject: Adaptation / Annotations / arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi / Biodiversity / Biological Evolution / Biology / carbon / Carbon Cycle / Coevolution / Ecological adaptation / Ecological and Environmental Phenomena / ectomycorrhizal fungi / embryophytes / ericoid / Evolution / Flowers & plants / fungal communities / Fungi / genes / Genomes / Life Sciences / mechanistic models / Modularity / mutualism / Mycorrhizae - physiology / mycorrhizal fungi / nestedness / nuclear genome / Nutrient cycles / orchid / Plant species / plant–microbe interactions / population / Soil structure / Species / Specificity / Surveys / Survival / Symbionts / symbiosis / Symbiosis - physiology / Tansley reviews / Terrestrial ecosystems
• ISBN: 0003493863000