Glomeromycota Flashcards
Who are Glomeromycota?
root-symbiotic fungi that form arbuscular (endomycorrhizal) mycorrhizae with plant roots
Where are they found?
only in terrestrial soils
What are some morphological characteristics?
no septa in hyphae
large resting spores
few unique characteristics make them difficult to distinguish
What lifestyles do they have?
obligate endosymbionts - cannot grow without host but may survive as resting spore
Do they undergo both sexual and asexual reproduction?
only asexual reproduction has been observed
How is this species studied?
it can be cultured easily in a lab with the right fungal-plant combination
What are the defining features of this taxon?
vesicles
spores
arbuscules
these are all associated with the ability to form mycorrhizal associations with plant roots and are UNIQUE to this group
Describe the vesicles and their purpose
swollen segments of hyphae inside the host tissue functions to store nutrients
Describe the resting spores of this taxon and their function
they are very large (Sometimes called chlamydospores) and can exist outside of the host in the soil
function likely to persist through poor soil conditions
Describe arbuscules and their function
modified hyphae that grow within root tissues likely for nutrient transfer between host and fungus
Give an example of Glomeromycota species
Rhizophagus irregularis - commonly used as a soil inoculant
What are 2 ways this phylum can be studied? discuss their pros and cons
1: pot culture with entire host in a greenhouse:
- pros: easy?
- cons: contamination and disease, space and resource needs high
2: transformed root-organ culture:
- common practice
- transform plant roots with root pathogen (soil bacterium)
- pros:
- does not require entire host plant (just roots)
- success with many host species
- sterile, no contaminants
- less space and resource intensive
- large scale spore production
- versatile
- cons: expensive? requires DNA transformations
