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Factors determining distribution of mycotrophic plants
Novák, František ; Ponert, Jan (advisor) ; Kolaříková, Zuzana (referee)
Myco-heterotrophic plants acquire carbon from fungi. They are distributed all around the world except Antarctica. Despite wide distribution these plants are rare. The aim of this review is to find factors important for their distribution. They can be found only in places where their host fungi occur, but not at all places where the host fungi grow. Typical environment where we can find these plants are shady and moist sites in forest understoreys where competition of autotrophic plants is not so high. Their dust seeds are dispersed by wind, water or animals. However, air movement is usually limited in forest understoreys and dispersal by water is also limited in a layer of leaf litter, likely restricting distribution of the plants. Suitable sites apart from being moist, shady and containing host fungi, should also meet specific soil nutrient requirements. These plants usually occur on soils with low amount of available inorganic forms of nitrogen and phosphorus. In these environments autotrophic plants likely need mycorrhizal fungi to obtain nutrients, so they feed them with enough carbon that can be subsequently transported to myco-heterotrophic plants. Myco-heterotrophic plants can be observed only during flowering and fruiting so proper timing is necessary for observation. Understanding of interactions...
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Interactions of microscopic fungi and testate amoebae in Norway spruce litter
Konvalinková, Tereza ; Koukol, Ondřej (advisor) ; Nováková, Alena (referee)
Both testate amoebae and fungi are common inhabitants of coniferous litter. Their interactions in this environment were rarely studied, although they reach high biodiversity and can play a significant role in nutrient cycling in this environment. In this study, a cultivation of litter needles in the damp chambers was used to investigate interactions between fungi and testate amoebae. Observation of spruce litter needles in environmental scanning electron microscope was used to better characterize testate amoebae communities directly on the needles. Additionally, two experiments changing the biotic conditions in the microcosm were used to follow a principle of the interactions. Three species of testate amoebae from litter needles were able to colonize the filter paper on the bottom of the damp chambers. Occurrence of Phryganella acropodia and Assulina muscorum on the filter paper was significantly fuelled by the presence of mycelium. Assulina muscorum was associated with the fungal spores and Arcella discoides was attracted by sporulating colonies of Cladosporium spp. in the damp chambers. By contrast, no association of putatively mycophagous Phryganella acropodia with fungal spores was observed. Arcella discoides was attracted both by live and death mycelium in additional experiment. Interestingly, the...
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Interactions of microscopic fungi and testate amoebae in Norway spruce litter
Konvalinková, Tereza ; Koukol, Ondřej (advisor) ; Nováková, Alena (referee)
Both testate amoebae and fungi are common inhabitants of coniferous litter. Their interactions in this environment were rarely studied, although they reach high biodiversity and can play a significant role in nutrient cycling in this environment. In this study, a cultivation of litter needles in the damp chambers was used to investigate interactions between fungi and testate amoebae. Observation of spruce litter needles in environmental scanning electron microscope was used to better characterize testate amoebae communities directly on the needles. Additionally, two experiments changing the biotic conditions in the microcosm were used to follow a principle of the interactions. Three species of testate amoebae from litter needles were able to colonize the filter paper on the bottom of the damp chambers. Occurrence of Phryganella acropodia and Assulina muscorum on the filter paper was significantly fuelled by the presence of mycelium. Assulina muscorum was associated with the fungal spores and Arcella discoides was attracted by sporulating colonies of Cladosporium spp. in the damp chambers. By contrast, no association of putatively mycophagous Phryganella acropodia with fungal spores was observed. Arcella discoides was attracted both by live and death mycelium in additional experiment. Interestingly, the...
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