The fungus produces colored globe-like, pear-shaped spores averaging 0.2 mm in diameter on or just under the soil surface (substratum) in fruiting bodies (sporocarps) of one to 20 spores or individually or in small clusters in the substratum.Spores arise from hyphae attached to the spore base, called subtending hyphae.A curved septum separates the hyphae and spore (Schüßler and Walker, 2010). The base of the spore is typically funnel shaped, giving rise to the name ‘funneliformis’.A thin network of loosely interwoven clear (hyaline) septate hyphae, called a peridium, sometimes enclose the spores (Gerdemann and Trappe, 1974).
Young spores are pale cream yellow, darkening with age to a light brown.Up to two hyaline outer membranes encloses the darker, yellow-brown inner layer.The outermost layer often sloughs off with age, and the presence of a middle layer varies among isolates.(West Virginia University, 2014).A network of vacuoles can be seen in both the spores and hyphae (Gerdemann and Trappe, 1974).
Germ tubes emerge from the remnants of subtending hyphae (Mosse and Bowen, 1968).
Figure 1.Close up of spore, showing funnel-shaped base with curved septum and subtending hyphae. http://www.dal.ca/content/dam/dalhousie/pdf/faculty/agriculture/oacc/en/osc2/researcher-q%26a-2015/OSCII-researcher-interview-Hamel-short-2015.pdf
Figure 2.Juvenile spores. http://invam.wvu.edu/the-fungi/classification/glomaceae/funneliformis/mosseae
Figure 3. Mature spores with perideum. http://invam.wvu.edu/thefungi/classification/glomaceae/funneliformis/mosseae
No major threats. However addition of fertilizers (especially phosphorus) to soils suppresses colonization of roots and growth (Verbruggen et al, 2012).
Hyphae are found “running” alongside the host’s exterior root surface and infect the host by entering between epidermal cells.The hyphae spread from this ‘infection point’ intercellularly through the root cortex.Hypha branching off from the intercellular hyphae or from an adjacent host cell enters the intracellular space of the cortical cell, forming arbuscules (finely branched hyphae similar to haustoria) which is the site of nutrient exchange. (Cox and Sanders, 1974).
World-wide distribution, reported on all continents except Antarctica, generally in association with arable land used in agriculture (Rosendahl et al, 2009).
Most terrestrial ecosystems including soils from rangelands, agricultural farm land, sand dunes, deserts, and other natural habitat (Al-Qarawi et al, 2013).
Not endangered.
Funneliformis mosseae is an arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus in the family Glomeraceae (order Glomerales, phylum Glomeromycota) which forms an intimate, obligate symbiosis with the roots of many land plants, many of which are cultivated commercially, such as onion. (Schüßler and Walker, 2010; Tacon et al., 1983; Cox and Sanders, 1974).It has a world-wide distribution and is considered one of the most important and most commonly occurring plant-associated fungi in many parts of the world (Al-Qarawi et al., 2013).
Originally described by Mosse and Bowen (1968), the fungus was placed in the genus Endogone byNicolson & Gerd and named Endogone mosseae in 1968 in the phylum Zygomycete.It was later moved to Glomus mosseae in 1974 (Gerd. & Trappe).In 2001, its phylum was moved to Glomeromycota when Walker et al. erected a new fungal phylum based on phylogenetic molecular analyses of small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene sequences.Further analyses prompted Schüßler and Walker to erect a new genus, Funneliformis, in 2010.
In a Polish study of 76 plant species in 21 families, Blaszkowski (1993) found F. mosseae spores on 59.5% of all cultivated plants and 18.9% of wild plants. F. mosseae has been shown to prefer cultivated land (Mosse and Bowen, 1968) and this preference may explain its widespread, worldwide distribution (Rosendahl et al., 2009).
The fungus aids in the uptake of slow release nutrients and water (improving drought tolerance and aiding plant establishment in harsh climates) and receives carbon from the host in return, which is used for energy.The positive effects of AM association is evident especially in soils naturally low in phosphorus (Al-Qawari et al., 2013).
One of the most commonly occurring plant-associated fungi in many parts of the world (Al-Qarawi et al., 2013).
Reported on the following crops: onion, Coprosma, Liquidambar, Coleus, Fuchsia, clover, strawberry, apple, tomato, bean, pea, cucumber, Nardus, rye grass, tobacco, soybean, citrus, maize, Aesculus indica and barley (Mosse, 1973).
Blaszkowski (1993) found F. mosseae spores on 59.5% of all cultivated plants and 18.9% of wild plants in a Polish study of 76 plant species.
Kingdom: Fungi
Phylum: Glomeromycota
Class:Glomeromycetes
Order: Glomerales
Family: Glomeraceae
Genus: Funneliformis
Species: mosseae
Al-Qarawi A. A., Mridha M. A. U. and Dhar P.P. 2013. Report on Funneliformis mosseae (Nicol. & Gerd) Gerd. And Trappe from Rangeland Soil of Saudi Arabia. Research Jour. Of Biotech. 8:1.
Blaszkowski, J. 1993. Comparative studies of the occurrence of arbuscular fungi and mycorrhizae (Glomales) in cultivated and uncultivated soils of Poland.Acta Myco. 208: 93-140.
Cox, G and F. Sanders. 1974.Ultrastructure of the host-fungus interface in a vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza. New Phytol. 73:901-912.
Gerdemann, J.W. and J.M. Trappe.1974.The Endogonaceae in the Pacific Northwest.New York Botanical Garden, NY, NY.
Mosse, B. and G.D. Bowen.1968.A key to the recognition of some endogone spore types.Brit. Mycol. Soc. 51:
Mosse, B. 1973.Advances in the study of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza.Annu. Rev. Phytopathol. 11:171-196.
Rosendahl, S., P. McGee, J.B.Morton. 2009. Lack of global population genetic differentiation in the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus mosseae suggests a recent range expansion which may have coincided with the spread of agriculture. Molecular Ecology. 18: 4316–4329.
Schüßler A., D. Schwarzott and C. Walker. 2001.A new fungal phylum, the Glomeromycota: phylogeny and evolution.Mycol. Res. 105: 1413 - 1421.
Schüßler A. and Walker C. 2010. The Glomeromycota, A species list with new families and new genera. Gloucester, UK, 58
Tacon, F.L., F. A. Skinner and B. Mosse.1983.Spore germination and hyphal growth of a vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, Glomus mosseae (Gerdemann and Trappe), under decreased oxygen and increased carbon dioxide concentrations. Can. J. Microbiol. Vol 29.
Verbruggen, E., M.G.A. Van der Heijden, M. C. Rillig and E. T. Kiers. 2012. Mycorrhizal fungal establishment in agricultural soils: factors determining inoculation success. New Phytologist. 197: 1104-1109.
West Virginia University.2014.International culture collection of (vesicular) arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi; Funneliformis mosseae. http://invam.wvu.edu/the-fungi/classification/glomaceae/funneliformis/mosseae
Funneliformis mosseae is a species of fungus in the family Glomeraceae, which is an arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi that forms symbiotic relationships with plant roots. Funneliformis mosseae has a wide distribution worldwide, and can be found in North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia.[1] Funneliformis are characterized by having an easily visible septum in the area of the spore base and are often cylindrical or funnel-shaped. Funneliformis mosseae similarly resembles Glomus caledonium, however the spore wall of Funneliformis mosseae contains three layers, whereas Gl. caledonium spore walls are composed of four layers.[2] Funneliformis is an easily cultivated species which multiplies well in trap culture, along with its high distribution, F. mosseae is not considered endangered and is often used for experimental purposes when combined with another host.[1]
The morphology of Funneliformis mosseae can be varied depending on location and generation.
The spores of Funneliformis mosseae are yellow to golden yellow in color and are globose or subglobose (80-)185(-280) µm diameter, with one subtending hypha. The spore wall is made up of three layers all with distinct phenotypes. The first layer is hyaline and mucilogenous and is approximately 1.4-2.5 µm thick (mean = 2.1 µm). This layer is found in the juvenile spores of F. mosseae, and degrades as the spore matures and goes through sloughing, producing a granular appearance. The second layer of the spore wall is also hyaline and is a thickness of 0.8-1.6 µm thick (mean = 1.2 µm). This layer is often observed as sliver-like or partially decomposed fragments as it separates from the third layer of the spore wall. The second layer is variable in appearance between various spores, but must be firmly attached to the laminae as it forms small pits and irregular shape which causes parts of the layer to break away when under pressure. The third layer is a pale yellow to yellow brown, laminate, and is 3.2-6.4 µm thick (mean of 4.7 µm).
The Funneliformis mosseae species has a subtending hypha, a characteristic of AM fungi, which is the hyphae that the spores are produced from. The hyphae structure tends to be flask shaped and a yellow to yellow brown in color. In juvenile spores, the walls of the subtending hyphae are made up of three layers that are continuous with the layers of the spore walls. As the spores mature, oftentimes the hyphal wall will become one to two layers thick.
The germ tube in Funneliformis mosseae emerges from the spore wall and originates from the recurved septum. After the hypha emerges, extensive branching and growth of the germ tubes is able to occur.
Funneliformis mosseae is a hypogenous fungi, that is commonly found in loose aggregate soils. It has been found in a wide range of locations, and can be collected throughout the year, in all seasons. It is widespread in the Pacific Northwest, Midwest, Hawaii, England, Scotland, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and Pakistan.[3] F. mosseae can withstand conditions ranging from coastal dune sands, mountain forests, and semi-arid zones; especially in alkaline flats, road banks, fields and forest clearings.
Funneliformis mosseae is a fungi that falls into the category of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), which are fungi that form symbiotic relationships with most terrestrial plants.[4] The relationship is mutualistic, meaning that both the plant and fungi have benefits in forming these interactions with one another.[5] Arbuscules are the site of entrance into the cells for the fungi, and a large hyphal network is formed, which allows for nutrient exchanges between the plant and fungi. Plants can often benefit greatly from these mutualistic interactions with certain fungi, such as increased nutrient absorption, resistance to varying environmental conditions, and resistance to some plant pathogens.[6]
One of the common uses of Funneliformis mosseae is in scientific research to study the ways in which AM fungi interact with their plant hosts. Many of these studies aim to determine the ways in which AM fungus relationships to plants can alter the conditions of the environment for growth. In previous studies using Funneliformis mosseae have shown to increase resistance to plant pathogens,[7] increased resistance to heavy metal toxicity,[8] increase resistance to drought and poor soil conditions,[9][10] increased nutrient absorption,[11] and has shown to increase root and shoot biomass in inoculated plants.[12]
Funneliformis mosseae is a species of fungus in the family Glomeraceae, which is an arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi that forms symbiotic relationships with plant roots. Funneliformis mosseae has a wide distribution worldwide, and can be found in North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. Funneliformis are characterized by having an easily visible septum in the area of the spore base and are often cylindrical or funnel-shaped. Funneliformis mosseae similarly resembles Glomus caledonium, however the spore wall of Funneliformis mosseae contains three layers, whereas Gl. caledonium spore walls are composed of four layers. Funneliformis is an easily cultivated species which multiplies well in trap culture, along with its high distribution, F. mosseae is not considered endangered and is often used for experimental purposes when combined with another host.
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