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Interactions between mammals and ectomycorrhiza fungi
Many ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi produce fruit-bodies below ground and rely on animals, especially mammals, for dispersal of spores. Mammals may therefore play an important role in the maintenance of mycorrhizal symbiosis and biodiversity of ECM fungi in many forest ecosystems. Given the pivotal role played by mycorrhizal fungi In the nutrition of their plant hosts and, possibly, in the determination of plant community structure, the ecological significance of mycophagous mammals may extend to the productivity and diversity of plant communities. Mycologists and mammalogists have been aware of the interaction between their study organisms for many years, but recent research has produced new insights Into the evolution of mammal-vectored spore dispersal among ECM fungi, the ecological importance of mycophagy to small mammals, and the effectiveness of mammals as spore-dispersal agents.
History
Publication title
Trends in Ecology & EvolutionVolume
11Issue
12Pagination
503-507ISSN
0169-5347Department/School
School of Natural SciencesPublisher
Elsevier Science LtdPlace of publication
United KingdomRights statement
Copyright 1996 Elsevier Science LtdRepository Status
- Restricted