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The Ectomycorrhizal Fungal Community in a Neotropical Forest Dominated by the Endemic Dipterocarp Pakaraimaea dipterocarpacea

Summary

This research examined the relationship between trees and beneficial fungi in a tropical forest in Guyana. The scientists discovered that most fungi were generalists, forming partnerships with multiple tree species rather than specializing on just one type of tree. They also found a potentially new species of fungus that may exist nowhere else in the world. This work helps us understand how plants and fungi work together in tropical forests. Impacts on everyday life: • Helps explain how forests maintain soil health and nutrient cycling • Provides insights for forest conservation and restoration efforts • Advances our understanding of plant-fungal partnerships that could benefit agriculture • Demonstrates the importance of preserving unique ecosystems that may contain undiscovered species • Could lead to discovery of new fungi with potential applications in medicine or industry

Background

Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi are diverse root symbionts that enhance plant nutrient acquisition and stress tolerance. While historically considered restricted to temperate regions, ECM plants and fungi are now known to exist in most tropical ecosystems, though their diversity and host preferences in tropical habitats remain understudied. The Dipterocarpaceae family is one of the most important tropical ECM plant lineages, with Pakaraimaea dipterocarpacea being one of only two dipterocarp species known from the Neotropics.

Objective

This study aimed to: 1) Determine if ECM fungi exhibit host preferences between P. dipterocarpacea and co-occurring Dicymbe jenmanii, 2) Identify whether P. dipterocarpacea hosts unique ECM fungi not found on regional leguminous trees, and 3) Compare the dominant ECM fungi in this dipterocarp-dominated forest to nearby rainforests dominated by other tree species.

Results

The study documented 52 ECM species from 11 independent fungal lineages based on ITS rDNA sequencing. While statistical tests suggested several ECM fungal species showed host preferences, most were multi-host generalists found on both tree species. Several previously undocumented ECM fungi were detected, including one mushroom-forming fungus that may represent a new ECM lineage endemic to the Neotropics. About 67% of the ECM fungi were also found in nearby rainforests dominated by other tree species.

Conclusion

Despite the phylogenetic distance between the two host tree species, most ECM fungi were generalists rather than specialists. The ECM fungal community was similar to nearby rainforests despite different soil conditions and host trees. One unique fungus discovered may represent the first documented tropical-endemic ECM fungal group. The study suggests that host plant size, distribution, dominance and phylogenetic relationships all influence tropical ECM fungal diversity and host associations.
  • Published in:PLoS One,
  • Study Type:Field Research Study,
  • Source: 10.1371/journal.pone.0055160
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