Characterization of dark and white sterile mycelia associated with plants with different mycorrhizal status in Mediterranean ecosystems|Caratterizzazione di miceli sterili demaziacei e moniliacei associati a piante a diverso status micorrizico in ambiente mediterraneo

Sterile mycelia associated with the roots of neighboring, healthy individuals of pairs of hosts with different mycorrhizal status in two areas in Liguria were investigated. ITS sequence analyses have revealed in both cases novel spectra of taxa, distinct from those so far recognized in related hosts in other habitats. The consistent association with the host plants in nature and mycorrhizal abilities revealed in resynthesis trials in axenic conditions outline different kinds of interactions among the hosts, possibly leading to facilitation of secondary successions and dynamics of Mediterranean vegetation.