Symbiotic Fungi

Symbionts.
- Association in which one organism lives with another.
There are 4 types of symbiotic fungi
1. Mycorrhizae
2. Lichens
3. Fungus-Insect Symbiosis
4. Rumen Fungi

Mycorrhizae

The symbiotic relationship is fungus-root. 95% of all plant species form mycorrhizae. There are 2 types of mycorrhizae, Ectomycorrhizae and Endomycorrhizae.

- Ectomycorrhizae.
• Presence of hyphae between cortical root cells.
• Roots are covered by sheath, mantle or fungal tissue.
• Mantle increases the surface area by absorbing roots.
• Found on woody plants from shrubs to forest trees.

- Endomycorrhizae.
• Fungus penetrates the host cell and grows within it.
• Fungus is a member of zygomycota.

Lichens

·         Symbiotic organisms with a photosynthetic partner; algae

·         Algae produces food for itself and fungus

·         Fungus provides water and minerals to algae’

·         Structure: filamentous, gelatinous, shrubby

·         Mode of reproduction: sexual

·         Uses: pollution indicator organisms

·         (from above) lichens are sensitive to manufactured pollutants

 

 

 

 

 

Xanthoparmelia cf. lavicola, a foliose lichen, on basalt.

Fungus-Insect Symbiosis

 

Rumen Fungi

- Gastro intestinal tract of herbivores is nutrient rich and oxygen poor(anaerobic)

- Chytrids

- Wide range of Enzymes

- Works with other microbes to release nutrients, minerals and vitamins to form plant material

- Degrade plant fibres during digestion

 

~ by mb0804myco on July 31, 2008.