Danielle Karla Alves da Silva

Intraornatosporaceae ( Gigasporales ), a new family with two new genera and two new species

A new family (Intraornatosporaceae), two new genera (Intraornatospora, Paradentiscutata), two new species (P. bahiana, P. maritima), and a new combination (I. intraornata) are presented in the Gigasporales. The genera, both with diagnostic introverted ornamentations on the spore wall, are distinguished by spore wall structure and germ shield characteristics. The new species, detected in NE Brazil, can be differentiated by their projections on the outer spore surface. Partial sequences of the LSU rRNA gene place both species next to I. intraornata in a monophyletic major clade related to Gigasporaceae and Dentiscutataceae.

Diversity of Brazilian Fungi

Ate 2010, o conhecimento sobre a diversidade de fungos do Brasil estava registrado em publicacoes esparsas de taxonomia e ecologia e em algumas poucas listas de especies. Com a publicacao do Catalogo de Plantas e Fungos do Brasil, e a disponibilizacao da lista online, tem sido possivel agregar o conhecimento disperso. A versao ora apresentada acrescenta 2.111 nomes de especies aos 3.608 listados em 2010. Sao citadas 5.719 especies de fungos distribuidas em 1.246 generos, 102 ordens e 13 divisoes, consistindo em consideravel aumento em relacao a 2010, quando estavam registrados 924 generos e 78 ordens. Predominam os Basidiomycota (2.741 especies, em 22 ordens) e Ascomycota (1.881 especies, em 41 ordens). A Mata Atlântica possui a maior quantidade de registros, com 3.017 especies, seguido pela Amazonia (1.050), Caatinga (999), Cerrado (638) e Pampa e Pantanal com 84 e 35 especies, respectivamente. A regiao Nordeste tem a maior riqueza (2.617 especies), seguida pelo Sudeste (2.252), Sul (1.995), Norte (1.301) e Centro Oeste (488 especies). Em relacao aos Estados da Federacao, Sao Paulo (1.846 especies), Pernambuco (1.611) e Rio Grande do Sul (1.377) sao os mais diversos.

Seasonal differences in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities in two woody species dominating semiarid caatinga forests

Tropical dry forests are strongly affected by seasonality, but its effects on belowground communities are poorly studied. Thus, the objective of this study was to reveal the effect of the season (dry versus wet) on the mycorrhizal status of roots and their potential colonization, and to determine the composition and abundance of spore-based communities of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in rhizospheric soil of two dominant woody species in caatinga communities (tropical dry forest of the Brazilian Northeast). Soil and root samples were taken four times in each season (dry and wet). In the cases of the number of glomerospores and the number of infective propagules of AMF, there were significant differences between the hosts, with greater values observed in the rhizosphere of Commiphora leptophloeos than Mimosa tenuiflora. Mycorrhizal colonization and the number of infective propagules of AMF differed also between the seasons, being higher in the dry than the wet season. In total, fourteen AMF species were found in the rhizosphere of C. leptophloeos and twelve species were associated with M. tenuiflora. There was a predominance of the fungal genus Acaulospora, with seven species, followed by Gigaspora and Glomus. The species studied and the seasons differ in the composition and structure of the AMF community in the rhizosphere of the plants. The ecological significance of those differences needs to be examined further.

Patterns of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Distribution on Mainland and Island Sandy Coastal Plain Ecosystems in Brazil

Although sandy coastal plains are important buffer zones to protect the coast line and maintain biological diversity and ecosystem services, these ecosystems have been endangered by anthropogenic activities. Thus, information on coastal biodiversity and forces shaping coastal biological diversity are extremely important for effective conservation strategies. In this study, we aimed to compare arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal communities from soil samples collected on the mainland and nearby islands located in Brazilian sandy coastal plain ecosystems (Restingas) to get information about AM fungal biogeography and identify factors shaping these communities. Soil samples were collected in 2013 and 2014 on the beachfront of the tropical sandy coastal plain at six sites (three island and three mainland locations) across the northeast, southeast, and south regions of Brazil. Overall, we recorded 53 AM fungal species from field and trap culture samples. The richness and diversity of AM fungal species did not differ between mainland and island locations, but AM fungal community assemblages were different between mainland and island environments and among most sites sampled. Glomeromycota communities registered from island samples showed higher heterogeneity than communities from mainland samples. Sandy coastal plains harbor diverse AM fungal communities structured by climatic, edaphic, and spatial factors, while the distance from the colonizing source (mainland environments) does not strongly affect the AM fungal communities in Brazilian coastal environments.

Arbuscular Mycorrhizae in Coastal Areas

Coastal areas are multifunctional ecosystems that present diversity of biotic and abiotic components, constituting biological areas highly valuable. However, these areas have been severely affected by anthropogenic activities, resulting in loss of important habitats. In this context, the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play an important role in the establishment and survival of plants inhabiting coastal areas, with several studies about the benefits provided for the symbiosis reported around the world. Furthermore, studies conducted in coastal dunes located in tropical regions have allowed verify that they are an important source of AMF species with a high AMF diversity associated with the coastal vegetation, which reinforce the importance of broadening the AMF studies in the tropical coastal areas.

Mycorrhizal benefits on native plants of the Caatinga, a Brazilian dry tropical forest

In the terrestrial ecosystems, soil is an important component, characterized by holding high diversity of microorganisms which play a key role for productivity and vegetal composition. The group of symbionts microorganisms stands out for contributing directly to the growth and plant nutrition, and among them, the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi form one of the oldest and well established associations. In order to increase the knowledge and contribute for further research with AMF and plants of Caatinga, in this review we compile data from previous studies on the effects of symbiosis between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and plants of the Caatinga, a type of dry tropical forest found in the northeast of Brazil. These studies collected data under various experimental conditions, emphasizing fungal efficiency and host responsiveness in soils with varied fertility. From our analysis we conclude that in general the symbiotic efficiency on these plants depends on many factors, such as the plant-fungi combination, fertility and soil type. Furthermore, in leguminosae the impact of a joint inoculation with nitrogen fixing bacteria must be taken into account. Claroideoglomus etunicatum was the most tested AMF species benefiting almost all plants tested. Approximately 30 plant species were studied regarding possible benefits provided by AMF and of these only Hymenea courbaril and Aspidosperma pyrifolium did not respond to mycorrhization. Higher efficiency of the mycorrhizal symbiosis can be obtained in soils with low P levels, emphasizing the essential role of these microorganisms in the growth and survival of plant species from the Caatinga biome.