Abstract
Abstract Traditional strict separation of fungi into ecological niches as mutualist, parasite or saprotroph is increasingly called into question. Sequences of assumed saprotrophs have been amplified from plant root interiors, and several saprotrophic genera can invade and interact with host plants in laboratory growth experiments. However, it is uncertain if root invasion by saprotrophic fungi is a widespread phenomenon and if laboratory interactions mirror field conditions. Here, we focused on the widespread and speciose saprotrophic genus Mycena and performed (1) a systematic survey of their occurrences (in ITS1/ITS2 datasets) in mycorrhizal roots of 10 plant species, and (2) an analysis of natural abundances of 13 C/ 15 N stable isotope signatures of Mycena basidiocarps from five field locations to examine their trophic status. We found that Mycena was the only saprotrophic genus consistently found in 9 out of 10 plant host roots, with no indication that the host roots were senescent or otherwise vulnerable. Furthermore, Mycena basidiocarps displayed isotopic signatures consistent with published 13 C/ 15 N profiles of both saprotrophic and mutualistic lifestyles, supporting earlier laboratory‐based studies. We argue that Mycena are widespread latent invaders of healthy plant roots and that Mycena species may form a spectrum of interactions besides saprotrophy also in the field.
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Claims 4
Claim · model-written summary
Mycena occurred consistently in nine of ten plant host roots.
MycenaOrganisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Mycena was the only saprotrophic genus consistently found in 9 out of 10 plant host roots”
Claim · model-written summary
The host roots showed no indication of senescence or vulnerability.
Verbatim
e0“with no indication that the host roots were senescent or otherwise vulnerable”
Claim · model-written summary
Mycena isotopic signatures matched both saprotrophic and mutualistic profiles.
- Outcome
- isotopic signaturese0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Mycena basidiocarps displayed isotopic signatures consistent with published 13 C/ 15 N profiles of both saprotrophic and mutualistic lifestyles”
Claim · model-written summary
The authors infer that Mycena are widespread latent invaders of healthy roots and have varied field interactions.
Verbatim
e0“Mycena are widespread latent invaders of healthy plant roots and that Mycena species may form a spectrum of interactions besides saprotrophy also in the field”