Sebacinales Everywhere: Previously Overlooked Ubiquitous Fungal Endophytes
2011
Weiß , Michael (Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen(Allemagne). Institut für Evolution und Ökologie, Organismische Botanik) | Sýkorová , Zuzana (Université de Bâle(Suisse). Botanisches Institut) | Garnica , Sigisfredo (Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen(Allemagne). Institut für Evolution und Ökologie, Organismische Botanik) | Riess , Kai (Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen(Allemagne). Institut für Evolution und Ökologie, Organismische Botanik) | Martos , Florent (Université de La Réunion(France). UMR C53 Peuplements végétaux et bioagresseurs en milieu tropical) | Krause , Cornelia (Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen(Allemagne). Institut für Evolution und Ökologie, Organismische Botanik) | Oberwinkler , Franz (Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen(Allemagne). Institut für Evolution und Ökologie, Organismische Botanik) | Bauer , Robert (Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen(Allemagne). Institut für Evolution und Ökologie, Organismische Botanik) | Redecker , Dirk (INRA , Dijon (France). UMR 1229 Microbiologie du Sol et de l'Environnement)
Inconspicuous basidiomycetes from the order Sebacinales are known to be involved in a puzzling variety of mutualistic plant-fungal symbioses (mycorrhizae), which presumably involve transport of mineral nutrients. Recently a few members of this fungal order not fitting this definition and commonly referred to as ‘endophytes’ have raised considerable interest by their ability to enhance plant growth and to increase resistance of their host plants against abiotic stress factors and fungal pathogens. Using DNA-based detection and electron microscopy, we show that Sebacinales are not only extremely versatile in their mycorrhizal associations, but are also almost universally present as symptomless endophytes. They occurred in field specimens of bryophytes, pteridophytes and all families of herbaceous angiosperms we investigated, including liverworts, wheat, maize, and the non-mycorrhizal model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. They were present in all habitats we studied on four continents. We even detected these fungi in herbarium specimens originating from pioneering field trips to North Africa in the 1830s/40s. No geographical or host patterns were detected. Our data suggest that the multitude of mycorrhizal interactions in Sebacinales may have arisen from an ancestral endophytic habit by specialization. Considering their proven beneficial influence on plant growth and their ubiquity, endophytic Sebacinales may be a previously unrecognized universal hidden force in plant ecosystems.
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