MOLECULAR ECOLOGY OF ECTOMYCORRHIZAL FUNGI

Abstract

This review was done to evaluate the impact of molecular biology techniques for ecological studies of mycorrhizal fungi. The usefulness
of different genes and molecular techniques used in the identification of mycorrhizal fungi living in the roots of their hosts and in soil is
described. Such techniques are also used in evolution and phylogeny studies to gain insights in the origin of symbionts and the impact that it represents in plant ecology. It describes the use of highly conserved ribosomal genes (rDNA) and its intergenic spacers (IGS and ITS)
(hypervariable regions), that in recent years have been reliable and useful tools for taxonomists and ecologists. The review approaches the use of mitochondrial, microsatelites and RAPD sequences, as well as the identification based on ectomycorrhizal morphotypes. The later
according to morphological changes induced in the root during the ectomycorrhizal association, which have been helpful to evidence the
root fungal association and to identify fungal species present in specific symbiosis. Genetic transformation of the ectomycorrhizal fungi
and the effect of their transformation are discussed in relation to their symbiosis. In the near future this can be useful to develop fungal strains with specific characteristics capable of a better stimulation of ectomycorrhizal symbiosis.