Selfish or Sharing: Fungal Nutrients in the Intemperate Rainforest
Date
2025
Authors
Furlonger, David Douglas
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Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University Of Victoria
Abstract
We investigated nutrients calcium, magnesium, and potassium between evolutionary analogous fungal guilds which have diverged in respect to life history strategies — one guild which forms symbiotic relationships with plants (ectomycorrhizal), and one guild which does not form symbiosis (saprotrophic). In comparing these two guilds, we can compare fungi in the presence and in the absence of a host while minimising the species effect within the guilds. From this analysis average nutrient constraints can be compared, and degree of nutrient sharing between ectomycorrhizal fungi and its host can be investigated. Additional host effects can be indirectly investigated in the saprotrophic guild under various host species. We found no evidence of host effects on saprotrophic fungi. However, nutrients calcium, magnesium and potassium were significantly higher within the ectomycorrhizal guild, demonstrating possible significant nutrient transfer between symbiont and host.
Description
Keywords
fungi, conifers, mushrooms, mycorrhizal, saprotrophic, ectomycorrhizal