The role of small mammals in the dispersal of mycorrhiza fungal spores in mountainous forests
Abstract
Mycorrhizae, the mutualistic symbiosis of mycorrhizal fungi and plants occur in a wide range of habitats and in many plant families all over the world. Mycorrhizal fungi may spread via their external hyphal matrix, rhizomorphs and spores. These spores may be transported by animal vectors (e.g. ground dwelling small mammals, squirrels or ungulates) or by abiotic factors (e. g. water). Most ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi form distinct hypogeous fruiting bodies. Fruiting underground is derived from fruiting aboveground, so endozoochory seems to be a successful way of spore dispersal. Major advantages from mycophagy for the fungus are the pelleting of spores in nutrient rich packages and the visit of favourable habitats by fungivorous animals. As most commercially valuable conifers and broadleaf trees form symbioses with ECM-fungi, mycophagy is crucial for sustaining such a healthy forest. This mechanism is especially important in forest regeneration, because ECM-fungi (neither spores nor hyphae) can not survive in the soil for longer periods of time without a host plant. So small mammals play an important role in spreading spores of these fungi into fungi free environments and so also help to maintain a diverse fungal community. The intended project will be the first trying to shed light both on the degree of mycophagy of small mammals (Rodentia, Soricidae) and on the inoculation potential of digested mycorrhiza fungal spores under controlled as well as under natural conditions and thus on more than one part of the relationship between fungi, small mammals and forest trees. The proposed project incorporates new and established methods for research into this tripartite interrelationship. Therefore small ground-dwelling mammals will be live trapped and the fecal pellets collected from the traps. These will be microscopically examined and used for inoculation experiments under laboratory conditions. To test the vector potential of small mammals in fungi free environments, sterile substrate will be used (simulating large scale disturbances or early successional habitats) and access for small mammals will be provided or prohibited, thus analysing spread of fungal spores. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of seedling roots (macroscopic, microscopic, molecular investigation) will provide results on the amount of mycophagy of different small mammals species, the species of mycorrhizal fungi consumed, on the inoculation potential of small mammals feces as they occur naturally and on vector function of small mammals in fungi free environments. New insights into the complex role of small mammals in the forest floor community and the "wood wide web" can be obtained and so a considerable gap in the biology of small mammals and their connections to the forest can be filled.
Publikationen
Small mammals as vectors for spores of mycorrhizal fungi
Autoren: Schickmann, S., Urban, A., Nopp-Mayr, U., Hackländer, K. Jahr: 2007
Journal articles
Small mammal mycophagy in mountainous forests in Austria
Autoren: Kräutler, K., Schickmann, S., Nopp-Mayr, U., Urban, A., Hackländer, K. Jahr: 2008
Journal articles
Small mammals as vectors for mycorrhizal fungi in Central European mountain forests
Autoren: Schickmann, S., Kräutler, K., Urban, A., Nopp-Mayr, U., Hackländer, K. Jahr: 2009
Journal articles
Project staff
Klaus Hackländer
Univ.Prof. Dipl.-Biol. Dr.rer.nat. Klaus Hackländer
klaus.hacklaender@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-83211
Project Leader
01.07.2006 - 30.06.2009
Ursula Nopp-Mayr
Assoc. Prof. Priv.-Doz. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.nat.techn. Ursula Nopp-Mayr
ursula.nopp-mayr@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-83001, 83227
Sub Projectleader
01.07.2006 - 30.06.2009
BOKU partners
External partners
University of Wienna, Institute of Botany
Dr. Alexander Urban
partner