The root-associated arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal assemblages of exotic alien plants are simplified in invaded distribution ranges, but dominant species are retained: A trans-continental perspective.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) provide crucial support for the establishment of plants in novel environments. We hypothesized that the OTU/genus richness and diversity of soil- and root-associated AMF associated with alien plant species in their exotic ranges are lower than those in their native ranges. We examined the root-associated and soil-dwelling AMF of 11 invasive plant species in their native and exotic ranges in the United States and Europe by DNA sequencing of the ITS2 locus. Examined root-associated AMF assemblages were simplified, which manifested as the loss of several AMF genera in the exotic ranges of the plants. These fungal assemblages were also characterized by greater dominance and simplification of the fungal assemblages. The dominant fungal genera were present regardless of whether their host plants were in their native or exotic ranges. Interestingly, both the native and invaded soils hosted diverse local AMF assemblages. Therefore, alien plant invasions were not limited to soils with low AMF diversity. Some AMF taxa could be context-dependent passengers rather than drivers of alien plant invasions. Further studies should identify functions of AMF missing or less abundant in roots of plants growing in exotic ranges.

Řezáčová V ，Michalová T ，Řezáč M ，Gryndler M ，Duell EB ，Wilson GWT ，Heneberg P ... -  《Environmental Microbiology Reports》

Root diameter, host specificity and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal community composition among native and exotic plant species.

Plant root systems rely on a functionally diverse range of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to, among other benefits, extend their nutrient foraging. Extended nutrient foraging is likely of greatest importance to coarse-rooted plants, yet few studies have examined the link between root traits and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal community composition. Here, we examine the relationship between root diameter and the composition of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities in a range of native and exotic plant species. We characterized the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities of 30 co-occurring native and exotic montane grassland/shrubland plant species in New Zealand. We found that plant root diameter and native/exotic status both strongly correlated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal community composition. Coarse-rooted plants had a lower diversity of mycorrhizal fungi compared with fine-rooted plants and associated less with generalist fungal partners. Exotic plants had a lower diversity of fungi and fewer associations with nondominant families of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi compared with native plants. These observational patterns suggest that plants may differentially associate with fungal partners based on their root traits, with coarse-rooted plants being more specific in their associations. Furthermore, exotic plants may associate with dominant arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal taxa as a strategy in invasion.

Ramana JV ，Tylianakis JM ，Ridgway HJ ，Dickie IA ... -  《-》

Severe plant invasions can increase mycorrhizal fungal abundance and diversity.

Lekberg Y ，Gibbons SM ，Rosendahl S ，Ramsey PW ... -  《-》

Serpentine and non-serpentine ecotypes of Collinsia sparsiflora associate with distinct arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal assemblages.

Schechter SP ，Bruns TD 《-》

Soil feedback of exotic savanna grass relates to pathogen absence and mycorrhizal selectivity.

van der Putten WH ，Kowalchuk GA ，Brinkman EP ，Doodeman GT ，van der Kaaij RM ，Kamp AF ，Menting FB ，Veenendaal EM ... -  《ECOLOGY》