Co-invasive exotic pines and their ectomycorrhizal symbionts show capabilities for wide distance and altitudinal range expansion

URCELAY, C; LONGO MS; GEML J; TECCO, PA; NOUHRA, E

FUNGAL ECOLOGY

ELSEVIER SCI LTD

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2017 vol. 25 p. 50 - 58

1754-5048

We asked if exotic Pinus elliotti seedlings can survive and form ectomycorrhizas at higher elevations andlong distances from their current range, and which ECM partners disperse to these soils. We selectedthree plots at four grassland sites along an altitudinal gradient (900, 1600, 2200, and 2700 m asl)established at c. 110, 3000, 6000, and 9000 m from the closest pine plantation, respectively. We combinedfield experiments with glasshouse assays to assess survival and ECM fungi in roots and soils. A pineplantation close to the lowest site was also selected for DNA metabarcoding of soils. Pine seedlingssurvived at all altitudes but not all formed mycorrhizas. They formed mycorrhizas with Suillus granulatusat 900, 1600, and 2200 m asl (i.e. up to 6000 m from the closest pine plantation), and with Rhizopogonpseudoroseolus and Thelephora terrestris at lower altitudes and distances. Twelve ECM fungal OTUs werefound in grasslands and 34 were detected in the pine plantation. Although richness and abundance ofECM fungi decreased with increasing distance from the pine plantation, there was at least one non-nativeECM fungal species present in each sampling site, even at 2700 masl and 9000 m distance from theclosest plantation. This study provides evidence that the availability of suitable fungal symbionts mightconstrain but not hinder the expansion of a pine species over wide distances and altitudinal zones evenin areas with no native ECM fungi