A first Ascomycete genus (Picoa sp.) record for the fungi flora of Iran.

In this research, according to macroscopic and microscopic characteristics Picoa sp. a member of Ascomycete was recorded for the first time from Iran.

Foliar and fungal 15N:14N ratios reflect development of mycorrhizae and nitrogen supply during primary succession: testing analytical models.

Nitrogen isotopes (15N/14N ratios, expressed as delta15N values) are useful markers of the mycorrhizal role in plant nitrogen supply because discrimination against 15N during creation of transfer compounds within mycorrhizal fungi decreases the 15N/14N in plants (low delta15N) and increases the 15N/14N of the fungi (high delta15N). Analytical models of 15N distribution would be helpful in interpreting delta15N patterns in fungi and plants. To compare different analytical models, we measured nitrogen isotope patterns in soils, saprotrophic fungi, ectomycorrhizal fungi, and plants with different mycorrhizal habits on a glacier foreland exposed during the last 100 years of glacial retreat and on adjacent non-glaciated terrain.

Ecosystem properties and microbial community changes in primary succession on a glacier forefront.

We studied microbial community composition in a primary successional chronosequence on the forefront of Lyman Glacier, Washington, United States. We sampled microbial communities in soil from nonvegetated areas and under the canopies of mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal plants from 20- to 80-year-old zones along the successional gradient. Three independent measures of microbial biomass were used: substrate-induced respiration (SIR), phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis, and direct microscopic counts.