Root-Associated Endophytic and Mycorrhizal Fungi from the Epiphytic Orchid <i>Maxillaria acuminata</i> in a Tropical Montane Forest in Southern Ecuador
In natural environments, it has been shown that orchids interact with multiple microorganisms including various species of fungi that colonize their tissues. The diversity of these fungi associated with orchid roots is still being described along with the ecological role they play when interacting w...
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MDPI AG
2022-06-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/14/6/478 |
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| author | Stefania Cevallos Paulo Herrera Johanna Vélez Juan Pablo Suárez |
| author_facet | Stefania Cevallos Paulo Herrera Johanna Vélez Juan Pablo Suárez |
| author_sort | Stefania Cevallos |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In natural environments, it has been shown that orchids interact with multiple microorganisms including various species of fungi that colonize their tissues. The diversity of these fungi associated with orchid roots is still being described along with the ecological role they play when interacting with the orchids. In this study, we evaluated the richness and diversity of the endophytic and mycorrhizal fungi associated with the roots of <i>Maxillaria acuminata</i>, a common epiphytic orchid species from a tropical montane forest in southern Ecuador. We characterized the fungal communities by sequencing the ITS2 region of the nrDNA with Illumina MiSeq technology. In total, 843 fungal OTUs were uncovered using a 97% sequence similarity. The highest percentage of OTUs belonged to the Agaricomycetes class, Basidiomycota. Interestingly, the most frequent trophic guild from the analyzed OTUs was assigned as saprophytic. Also, some groups of orchid mycorrhizal-forming fungi were detected, including members within the families Ceratobasidicaceae, Serendipitaceae, Tulasnellaceae, and in the order Atractiellales. We discuss the potential influence of this diverse group of root-associated endophytic fungi on the development and survival of <i>M. acuminata</i> in the tropical forests of southern Ecuador. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T23:58:02Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-12cc9e201efd40bbaa22994a102672e9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1424-2818 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T23:58:02Z |
| publishDate | 2022-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| spelling | doaj.art-12cc9e201efd40bbaa22994a102672e92023-11-23T16:20:44ZengMDPI AGDiversity1424-28182022-06-0114647810.3390/d14060478Root-Associated Endophytic and Mycorrhizal Fungi from the Epiphytic Orchid <i>Maxillaria acuminata</i> in a Tropical Montane Forest in Southern EcuadorStefania Cevallos0Paulo Herrera1Johanna Vélez2Juan Pablo Suárez3Microbial Systems Ecology and Evolution (MS2E) Research Group, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, San Cayetano Alto s/n., C.P., Loja 1101608, EcuadorMicrobial Systems Ecology and Evolution (MS2E) Research Group, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, San Cayetano Alto s/n., C.P., Loja 1101608, EcuadorCarrera de Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja 1101608, EcuadorMicrobial Systems Ecology and Evolution (MS2E) Research Group, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, San Cayetano Alto s/n., C.P., Loja 1101608, EcuadorIn natural environments, it has been shown that orchids interact with multiple microorganisms including various species of fungi that colonize their tissues. The diversity of these fungi associated with orchid roots is still being described along with the ecological role they play when interacting with the orchids. In this study, we evaluated the richness and diversity of the endophytic and mycorrhizal fungi associated with the roots of <i>Maxillaria acuminata</i>, a common epiphytic orchid species from a tropical montane forest in southern Ecuador. We characterized the fungal communities by sequencing the ITS2 region of the nrDNA with Illumina MiSeq technology. In total, 843 fungal OTUs were uncovered using a 97% sequence similarity. The highest percentage of OTUs belonged to the Agaricomycetes class, Basidiomycota. Interestingly, the most frequent trophic guild from the analyzed OTUs was assigned as saprophytic. Also, some groups of orchid mycorrhizal-forming fungi were detected, including members within the families Ceratobasidicaceae, Serendipitaceae, Tulasnellaceae, and in the order Atractiellales. We discuss the potential influence of this diverse group of root-associated endophytic fungi on the development and survival of <i>M. acuminata</i> in the tropical forests of southern Ecuador.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/14/6/478mycorrhizal fungiIllumina MiSeqepiphytic orchidsOTUsecological role |
| spellingShingle | Stefania Cevallos Paulo Herrera Johanna Vélez Juan Pablo Suárez Root-Associated Endophytic and Mycorrhizal Fungi from the Epiphytic Orchid <i>Maxillaria acuminata</i> in a Tropical Montane Forest in Southern Ecuador Diversity mycorrhizal fungi Illumina MiSeq epiphytic orchids OTUs ecological role |
| title | Root-Associated Endophytic and Mycorrhizal Fungi from the Epiphytic Orchid <i>Maxillaria acuminata</i> in a Tropical Montane Forest in Southern Ecuador |
| title_full | Root-Associated Endophytic and Mycorrhizal Fungi from the Epiphytic Orchid <i>Maxillaria acuminata</i> in a Tropical Montane Forest in Southern Ecuador |
| title_fullStr | Root-Associated Endophytic and Mycorrhizal Fungi from the Epiphytic Orchid <i>Maxillaria acuminata</i> in a Tropical Montane Forest in Southern Ecuador |
| title_full_unstemmed | Root-Associated Endophytic and Mycorrhizal Fungi from the Epiphytic Orchid <i>Maxillaria acuminata</i> in a Tropical Montane Forest in Southern Ecuador |
| title_short | Root-Associated Endophytic and Mycorrhizal Fungi from the Epiphytic Orchid <i>Maxillaria acuminata</i> in a Tropical Montane Forest in Southern Ecuador |
| title_sort | root associated endophytic and mycorrhizal fungi from the epiphytic orchid i maxillaria acuminata i in a tropical montane forest in southern ecuador |
| topic | mycorrhizal fungi Illumina MiSeq epiphytic orchids OTUs ecological role |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/14/6/478 |
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