Subterranean Desert Rodents (Genus Ctenomys) Create Soil Patches Enriched in Root Endophytic Fungal Propagules.

Subterranean rodents are considered major soil engineers, as they can locally modify soil properties by their burrowing activities. In this study, the effect of a subterranean rodent of the genus Ctenomys on soil properties and root endophytic fungal propagules in a shrub desert of northwest Argentina was examined. Our main goal was to include among root endophytic fungi not only arbuscular mycorrhiza but also the dark septate endophytes.

Sugary secretions of wasp galls: a want-to-be extrafloral nectar?

Background And Aims: The most widespread form of protective mutualisms is represented by plants bearing extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) that attract ants and other arthropods for indirect defence. Another, but less common, form of sugary secretion for indirect defence occurs in galls induced by cynipid wasps. Until now, such galls have been reported only for cynipid wasps that infest oak trees in the northern hemisphere.

The thalloid liverwort Plagiochasma rupestre supports arbuscular mycorrhiza-like symbiosis in vitro.

In the present study, we obtained in vitro dual cultures between the liverwort Plagiochasma rupestre and two arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi: Glomus intraradices and Glomus clarum. Four agarized culture media were tested for optimal growth of P. rupestre.