Diversity and host preference of fungi co-inhabiting Cenococcum mycorrhizae

• We investigated fungal communities associated with Cenococcum mycorrhizae.
• Fungal species and diversity were determined by culture independent methods.
• We detected 50 different endophytes, ecto- and ericoid mycorrhizal fungi.
• Species composition and diversity differed significantly among the three hosts.
• Differences in root associated fungal communities may impact host ecology.

Diverse fungal assemblages colonize the fine feeder roots of woody plants, including mycorrhizal fungi, fungal root endophytes and soil saprotrophs. The fungi co-inhabiting Cenococcum geophilum ectomycorrhizae (ECM) of Abies balsamea, Betula papyrifera and Picea glauca were studied at two boreal forest sites in Eastern Canada by direct PCR of ITS rDNA. 50 non-Cenococcum fungal sequence types were detected, including several potentially mycorrhizal species as well as fungal root endophytes. Non-melanized ascomycetes dominated, in contrast to the dark septate endophytes (DSE) reported in most culture dependent studies. The results demonstrate significant differences in root associated fungal assemblages among the host species studied. Fungal diversity was also host dependent, with P. glauca roots supporting a more diverse community than A. balsamea. Differences in root associated fungal communities may well influence ecological interactions among host plant species.