Molecular identifications uncover diverse fungal symbionts of Pleione (Orchidaceae). (February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Qin, Jiao; Zhang, Wei; Ge, Zai-Wei; Zhang, Shi-Bao
• Is Part Of: Fungal ecology. Volume 37(2019)
• Page Start: 19
• Page End: 29
• Publication Date: 2019-02
• Subjects: Atractiellales -- Coelogyninae -- Epiphytic -- Orchid mycorrhizal fungi -- Sebacinales group B -- Tulasnellaceae; Fungi -- Ecology -- Periodicals; Mycology -- Periodicals; 579.517
• DOI: 10.1016/j.funeco.2018.10.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1754-5048

Abstract

Abstract: Fungal mutualisms are essential for the evolution and diversification of Orchidaceae, yet the fungal symbionts of Pleione orchids are poorly understood because molecular data are unavailable for this genus. Based on ITS-rDNA sequencing for mycobionts of 15 Pleione species (both wild and cultivated plants were included), we conducted phylogenetic analyses for the most dominant mycobionts, and compared the operational taxonomic units (OTUs) of mycorrhizal fungi among species within Pleione . Tulasnellaceae, Ceratobasidiaceae, Serendipitaceae (Sebacinales), Atractiellales, and Auriculariales were reported as putative mycobionts of Pleione . In particular, the mycorrhizal associations between subtropical orchids and Atractiellales have not been observed before. For the dominant mycobionts in the roots of Pleione and its related genera, Bletilla and Coelogyne, we detected no fungal OTU that was shared. Within Pleione, species with a sympatric distribution showed preferences for different fungi. Epiphytic and lithophytic individuals of Pleione albiflora shared OTUs of Tulasnellaceae but harbored different OTUs of Sebacinales, indicating some degree of fungal specificity toward certain habitats. These findings provide new insights into the ecological adaptation and evolution of orchids, and will contribute to the conservation and utilization of species resources. Highlights: Mycobionts of Pleione were detected using molecular data for the first time. Fungi of Atractiellales were reported from sub-tropical orchids for the first time. Mycorrhizal fungal preferences of Pleione occurred at both genus and species level.