Specificity in the mycorrhizal symbiosis

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_3BE37887CED8
Type
A part of a book
Publication sub-type
Chapter: chapter ou part
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Specificity in the mycorrhizal symbiosis
Title of the book
Mycorrhizal ecology
Author(s)
Sanders I.R.
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Address of publication
Heidelberg
ISBN
978-3-540-00204-8
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2002
Editor
van der Heijden M.G.A., Sanders I.R.
Volume
157
Series
Ecological studies
Chapter
16
Pages
415-437
Language
english
Abstract
Different arbuscular mycorrhizal (AMF) fungal taxa have a differential effect on the growth of co-existing plant species. This means that in order to fully understand the role of these fungi in plant communities, information is needed on whether the symbiosis is specific. In this chapter, I briefly review the ecological consequences of specificity versus non-specificity in the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis on plant ecology. Both from a theoretical approach, and based on observations, there has been an underlying assumption that no specificity exists in the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis. I consider why these assumptions have been made. Direct evidence for or against specificity in the symbiosis is scant and the reason is mainly due to the difficulty in describing AMF community structure in natural communities (see Clapp et al., Chap.8, this Vol.). Here, I take an evolutionary, as well as an ecological, approach to look at the evidence that predicts that evolution of specificity in the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis could occur. I then consider alternative hypotheses and evidence that could explain why the evolution of specificity might not occur. These hypotheses are based on the growth habit, reproductive strategies and foraging behaviour of AMF and on new findings concerning ANF genetics.
Create date
24/01/2008 17:38
Last modification date
20/08/2019 13:32
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