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Ning Zhang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities associated with switchgrass panicum virgatum l in the acidic oligotrophic Pine Barrens ecosystem
Grass Research, 2021Co-Authors: Molly Bindell, Jing Luo, Emily Walsh, Nicole E Wagner, Stephen Miller, Guohong Cai, Stacy A Bonos, Ning ZhangAbstract:Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi contribute globally to ecosystem services and play an important role in sustainable crop production. However, it is unclear which factors contribute most to their colonization and community structure at different sites, particularly in understudied ecosystems. This study investigated the AM fungal communities associated with switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) in the understudied acidic and oligotrophic Pine Barrens ecosystem using next-generation sequencing. Switchgrass was also sampled from agroecosystems, as well as, from a native prairie for comparison. The Pine Barrens switchgrass harbored a distinct AM fungal community − Acaulospora and Ambispora were almost exclusively found in the Pine Barrens sites, and some of these species may represent undescribed taxa. Glomus was the most ubiquitous AM fungal genus recovered from all sites. This study suggests differences in the AM fungal community structure under different soil properties and land uses. This is the first sequence-based report of the AM fungal communities in the Pine Barrens ecosystem.
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root endophytic fungal communities associated with pitch Pine switchgrass and rosette grass in the Pine Barrens ecosystem
Fungal Biology, 2017Co-Authors: Jing Luo, Emily Walsh, Stephen D Miller, David Blystone, John Dighton, Ning ZhangAbstract:Almost all plants in nature harbour fungi in their roots but the knowledge on distribution and the underlying principles of assemblage is still poorly developed for the root-associated fungi. In this study we analysed the root endophytic fungal communities associated with switchgrass, rosette grass, and pitch Pine in the acidic, oligotrophic Pine Barrens ecosystem. A total of 434 fungal isolates were obtained from 600 root segments of 60 plant samples. DNA barcoding and morphological analyses identified 92 fungal species, which belong to 39 genera in six classes. Compared to other ecosystems, the Pine Barrens has a higher proportion of Leotiomycetes. The fungal community associated with pitch Pine was significantly different from those associated with the grasses, while less difference was found between those associated with the two grasses. Our results suggest that edaphic factors and host specificity play a role in shaping root endophytic fungal community. This study also corroborates our previous finding that plant roots in the Pine Barrens are a rich reservoir of novel fungi.
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Temperate Pine Barrens and Tropical Rain Forests Are Both Rich in Undescribed Fungi
2016Co-Authors: Jing Luo, Emily Walsh, Abhishek Naik, Wenying Zhuang, Keqin Zhang, Lei Cai, Ning ZhangAbstract:Most of fungal biodiversity on Earth remains unknown especially in the unexplored habitats. In this study, we compared fungi associated with grass (Poaceae) roots from two ecosystems: the temperate Pine Barrens in New Jersey, USA and tropical rain forests in Yunnan, China, using the same sampling, isolation and species identification methods. A total of 426 fungal isolates were obtained from 1600 root segments from 80 grass samples. Based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences and morphological characteristics, a total of 85 fungal species (OTUs) belonging in 45 genera, 23 families, 16 orders, and 6 classes were identified, among which the Pine Barrens had 38 and Yunnan had 56 species, with only 9 species in common. The finding that grass roots in the tropical forests harbor higher fungal species diversity supports that tropical forests are fungal biodiversity hotspots. Sordariomycetes was dominant in both places but more Leotiomycetes were found in the Pine Barrens than Yunnan, which may play a role in the acidic and oligotrophic Pine Barrens ecosystem. Equal number of undescribed fungal species were discovered from the two sampled ecosystems, although the tropical Yunnan had more known fungal species. Pine Barrens is a unique, unexplored ecosystem. Our finding suggests that sampling plants in such unexplored habitats will uncover novel fungi and that grass roots in Pine Barrens are one of the major reservoirs o
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five new pseudophialophora species from grass roots in the oligotrophic Pine Barrens ecosystem
Fungal Biology, 2015Co-Authors: Jing Luo, Emily Walsh, David Blystone, Ning ZhangAbstract:During our recent survey of fungi in the oligotrophic Pine Barrens ecosystem, five new Pseudophialophora species, Pseudophialophora angusta, P. dichanthii, P. magnispora, P. tarda, and P. whartonensis, were uncovered from the roots of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) and tapered rosette grass (Dichanthelium acuminatum). The five new fungal species are described based on morphological characteristics and DNA sequences of SSU, ITS, LSU, MCM7, RPB1, and TEF1 genes. The 6-locus phylogeny indicates that Pseudophialophora species form a monophyletic clade in Magnaporthaceae of Magnaporthales. A key for all described species in Pseudophialophora is provided, including these five and three previously published species. Distinctions among the new species and other related species are discussed. The plant-fungal interaction experiment indicates that P. angusta, Pseudophialophora eragrostis, P. magnispora, Pseudophialophora schzachyrii, P. tarda, and P. whartonensis have negative effects on the growth of switchgrass. Runner hyphae were observed from the inoculated switchgrass roots, which are typical structures of root-infecting pathogens.
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barrenia a new genus associated with roots of switchgrass and Pine in the oligotrophic Pine Barrens
Fungal Biology, 2015Co-Authors: Emily Walsh, Jing Luo, Abhishek Naik, Thomas Preteroti, Ning ZhangAbstract:A new genus Barrenia is described based on multi-gene phylogenetic analyses and phenotypic and ecological characters. Isolated from roots of switchgrass and pitch Pine in the acidic and oligotrophic New Jersey Pine Barrens in this study, Barrenia likely has a wide distribution because its internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence has high similarity with a number of GenBank sequences from various ecological studies. The majority of these matching samples were from roots of plants in acidic, nutrient-poor environments, as well as from managed sugarcane plantations. Phylogenetic analyses based on ITS, LSU, and RPB1 sequence data strongly support that Barrenia is a monophyletic clade in Helotiales, distinct from any known taxa. Barrenia is phylogenetically close to Acidomelania, Loramyces, Mollisia, and Phialocephala fortinii - Acephala applanata species complex (PAC), the dark septate endophytes. Barrenia can be distinguished from Loramyces and Mollisia by its association with living plant roots. Taxa in PAC also are root endophytes but they have complex phialid arrangements that appear to be lacking in Barrenia. Plant-fungal interaction experiments showed that Barrenia panicia and Acidomelania panicicola significantly promoted root hair growth in switchgrass. Results from this work will facilitate ecological and evolutionary studies on root-associated fungi.
Robert T. Zappalorti - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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A paradigm for information needed to protect at-risk species: northern Pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus) in the Pine Barrens as a case study.
Journal of toxicology and environmental health. Part A, 2019Co-Authors: Joanna Burger, Robert T. Zappalorti, Michael Gochfeld, Christian Jeitner, Emile Devito, Jason HowellAbstract:New methods of examining the risk to endangered, threatened and rare species are required to identify vulnerability. A paradigm for examining risk is presented that describes anthropogenic threats, species activities, and vulnerabilities, and uses Northern Pine snakes (Pituophis melanoleucus) in the New Jersey Pine Barrens as a case study. The paradigm includes (1) conceptual model of natural, anthropogenic, and interactive stressors, (2) template of the functional attributes of threats from human activities, and (3) template of effects from different human activities. Pine snake behavior throughout the year was used to examine the temporal overlap in high snake vulnerability periods and desired human activities in a shared habitat. New data on autumn behavior of Pine snakes are also provided. Passive integrated transponders (PIT tag) tracking technology indicated that the fall basking activity period is both longer in duration, and at a higher intensity than previously presumed. During the autumn, individual snakes moved in and out of dens an average of 6 times over a two-month period. Younger snakes at a small hibernaculum were more active than those at hibernacula with larger and older snakes. The high activity period of Pine snakes overlaps with the timing of preferred off-road-vehicle (ORV) use, controlled burns, and other human activities, increasing snake vulnerability, potentially causing behavioral disruptions, injury, and death. The conceptual model illustrating relationships between attributes of human activity and effects may be utilized to determine risks to other listed species, and those of special concern in different habitats. This paradigm also provides managers with template tools to assess risks to species that may also be used to provide information to the public.
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Relationship of weights and snout vent lengths for male and female Pine Snakes from the New Jersey Pine Barrens.
2018Co-Authors: Joanna Burger, Robert T. Zappalorti, Michael GochfeldAbstract:Relationship of weights and snout vent lengths for male and female Pine Snakes from the New Jersey Pine Barrens.
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Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Lead, Mercury and Selenium Concentrations in Pine Snakes (Pituophis melanoleucus) from the New Jersey Pine Barrens
Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 2017Co-Authors: Joanna Burger, Robert T. Zappalorti, Michael Gochfeld, Christian Jeitner, Taryn Pittfield, Emile DevitoAbstract:Top trophic level predators are at risk from bioaccumulation of heavy metals from their prey. Using nondestructively collected tissues as a method of assessing metal concentrations in snakes is useful for populations that are threatened or declining. This paper reports concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and selenium (Se) in tissues of Northern Pine snakes ( Pituophis melanoleucus ) from the New Jersey Pine Barrens, a relatively pristine, undisturbed habitat. We also determined if skin is an appropriate indicator of internal concentrations and identified the factors (tissue, year of collection, length, sex) that might explain variations in metal concentrations. Because they can grow to 2-m long and live for 25 years, we suggest that these snakes might accumulate heavy metals. Multiple regression models were significant, explaining 16% (lead) to 61% (mercury) of variation by tissue type. For mercury and chromium, size also was significant. The highest concentrations were in liver and kidney for all metals, except chromium and lead. Mercury concentrations in tissues were within the range reported for other snakes and were below effects concentrations in reptiles. The concentrations in skin were correlated with all internal tissues for mercury and for all internal tissues except heart for cadmium. These data show that shed skin can be used as an indicator of metals in Pine snakes and that, at present, concentrations of heavy metals in this population are within the range of those found in other snake species from uncontaminated sites.
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Fidelity of Northern Pine Snakes (Pituophis m. melanoleucus) to Natural and Artificial Hibernation Sites in the New Jersey Pine Barrens
Journal of toxicology and environmental health. Part A, 2014Co-Authors: Robert T. Zappalorti, Joanna Burger, David W. Burkett, David W. Schneider, Matthew P. Mccort, David M. GoldenAbstract:Environmental managers require information on whether human-made hibernacula are used by rare snakes before constructing large numbers of them as mitigation measures. Fidelity of northern Pine snakes (Pituophis m. melanoleucus) was examined in a 6-year study in the New Jersey Pine Barrens to determine whether they used natural and artificial hibernacula equally. Pine snakes used both artificial (human-made) and natural (snake-adapted) hibernacula. Most natural hibernacula were in abandoned burrows of large mammals. Occupancy rates were similar between natural and artificial hibernacula. Only 6 of 27 radio-tracked snakes did not shift hibernacula between years, whereas 78% shifted sites at least once, and fidelity from one year to the next was 42%. For snakes that switched hibernacula (n = 21), one switched among artificial hibernacula, 14 (65%) switched among natural hibernacula, and 6 (29%) switched from artificial to natural hibernacula. Data indicate that most Pine snakes switch among hibernacula, mainly selecting natural hibernacula, suggesting that artificial dens are used, but protecting natural hibernacula should be a higher conservation priority.
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Philopatry and nesting phenology of Pine snakes Pituophis melanoleucus in the New Jersey Pine Barrens
Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 1992Co-Authors: J. Burger, Robert T. ZappalortiAbstract:We studied nesting behavior of Pine snakes Pituophis melanoleucus from 1977 to 1989. Female Pine snakes in the New Jersey Pine Barrens excavate tunnels and a nest chamber for egg deposition. Over 70% of all nests had old, hatched shells remaining in the nests from previous years. The presence of hatched shells and the incidence of recaptured females in the same nest indicates nest site tenacity for some females. From 1977 to 1988 we branded 98 females and 45 were recaptured in the same general nesting area. All 45 recaptured females were recaptured one to four times at the same nest site; two of these snakes were captured in three years at the same site and in one year at a different site. We conclude that females show a high degree of nest site philopatry. We suggest that high nest site philopatry is selected for because it promotes location of sites that are safe from predators (buried, hatched shells) and contain suitable temperature conditions.
Joanna Burger - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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A paradigm for information needed to protect at-risk species: northern Pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus) in the Pine Barrens as a case study.
Journal of toxicology and environmental health. Part A, 2019Co-Authors: Joanna Burger, Robert T. Zappalorti, Michael Gochfeld, Christian Jeitner, Emile Devito, Jason HowellAbstract:New methods of examining the risk to endangered, threatened and rare species are required to identify vulnerability. A paradigm for examining risk is presented that describes anthropogenic threats, species activities, and vulnerabilities, and uses Northern Pine snakes (Pituophis melanoleucus) in the New Jersey Pine Barrens as a case study. The paradigm includes (1) conceptual model of natural, anthropogenic, and interactive stressors, (2) template of the functional attributes of threats from human activities, and (3) template of effects from different human activities. Pine snake behavior throughout the year was used to examine the temporal overlap in high snake vulnerability periods and desired human activities in a shared habitat. New data on autumn behavior of Pine snakes are also provided. Passive integrated transponders (PIT tag) tracking technology indicated that the fall basking activity period is both longer in duration, and at a higher intensity than previously presumed. During the autumn, individual snakes moved in and out of dens an average of 6 times over a two-month period. Younger snakes at a small hibernaculum were more active than those at hibernacula with larger and older snakes. The high activity period of Pine snakes overlaps with the timing of preferred off-road-vehicle (ORV) use, controlled burns, and other human activities, increasing snake vulnerability, potentially causing behavioral disruptions, injury, and death. The conceptual model illustrating relationships between attributes of human activity and effects may be utilized to determine risks to other listed species, and those of special concern in different habitats. This paradigm also provides managers with template tools to assess risks to species that may also be used to provide information to the public.
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Relationship of weights and snout vent lengths for male and female Pine Snakes from the New Jersey Pine Barrens.
2018Co-Authors: Joanna Burger, Robert T. Zappalorti, Michael GochfeldAbstract:Relationship of weights and snout vent lengths for male and female Pine Snakes from the New Jersey Pine Barrens.
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Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Lead, Mercury and Selenium Concentrations in Pine Snakes (Pituophis melanoleucus) from the New Jersey Pine Barrens
Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 2017Co-Authors: Joanna Burger, Robert T. Zappalorti, Michael Gochfeld, Christian Jeitner, Taryn Pittfield, Emile DevitoAbstract:Top trophic level predators are at risk from bioaccumulation of heavy metals from their prey. Using nondestructively collected tissues as a method of assessing metal concentrations in snakes is useful for populations that are threatened or declining. This paper reports concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and selenium (Se) in tissues of Northern Pine snakes ( Pituophis melanoleucus ) from the New Jersey Pine Barrens, a relatively pristine, undisturbed habitat. We also determined if skin is an appropriate indicator of internal concentrations and identified the factors (tissue, year of collection, length, sex) that might explain variations in metal concentrations. Because they can grow to 2-m long and live for 25 years, we suggest that these snakes might accumulate heavy metals. Multiple regression models were significant, explaining 16% (lead) to 61% (mercury) of variation by tissue type. For mercury and chromium, size also was significant. The highest concentrations were in liver and kidney for all metals, except chromium and lead. Mercury concentrations in tissues were within the range reported for other snakes and were below effects concentrations in reptiles. The concentrations in skin were correlated with all internal tissues for mercury and for all internal tissues except heart for cadmium. These data show that shed skin can be used as an indicator of metals in Pine snakes and that, at present, concentrations of heavy metals in this population are within the range of those found in other snake species from uncontaminated sites.
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Fidelity of Northern Pine Snakes (Pituophis m. melanoleucus) to Natural and Artificial Hibernation Sites in the New Jersey Pine Barrens
Journal of toxicology and environmental health. Part A, 2014Co-Authors: Robert T. Zappalorti, Joanna Burger, David W. Burkett, David W. Schneider, Matthew P. Mccort, David M. GoldenAbstract:Environmental managers require information on whether human-made hibernacula are used by rare snakes before constructing large numbers of them as mitigation measures. Fidelity of northern Pine snakes (Pituophis m. melanoleucus) was examined in a 6-year study in the New Jersey Pine Barrens to determine whether they used natural and artificial hibernacula equally. Pine snakes used both artificial (human-made) and natural (snake-adapted) hibernacula. Most natural hibernacula were in abandoned burrows of large mammals. Occupancy rates were similar between natural and artificial hibernacula. Only 6 of 27 radio-tracked snakes did not shift hibernacula between years, whereas 78% shifted sites at least once, and fidelity from one year to the next was 42%. For snakes that switched hibernacula (n = 21), one switched among artificial hibernacula, 14 (65%) switched among natural hibernacula, and 6 (29%) switched from artificial to natural hibernacula. Data indicate that most Pine snakes switch among hibernacula, mainly selecting natural hibernacula, suggesting that artificial dens are used, but protecting natural hibernacula should be a higher conservation priority.
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Nesting Behavior of Pine Snakes (Pituophis m. melanoleucus) in the New Jersey Pine Barrens
Journal of Herpetology, 1991Co-Authors: Joanna Burger, Robert T. ZappalortiAbstract:We studied the excavation and nesting behavior of Pine snakes (Pituophis m. melanoleucus) in the New Jersey Pine Barrens from 1977-1989. Females excavate a tunnel and nest chamber for egg laying. Females initially make slight depressions in the sand (pre-test holes, 22%), then construct small test holes (16%), and finally excavate long tunnels leading to nest burrows (62%). Test holes and nests did not differ in most external characteristics (dump pile size, entrance size), although they did differ in soil moisture at the end of the tunnel, mean tunnel length, and number of turns. Mean clutch size was 9.5 ? 0.3 (range 4-16), and was related to female snout-vent length (r = 0.60, P < 0.001). Female vertebrates exert control over the growth, development, and survival of embryos either by having internal development (i.e., most mammals), impregnable eggs (i.e., most birds),
Jing Luo - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities associated with switchgrass panicum virgatum l in the acidic oligotrophic Pine Barrens ecosystem
Grass Research, 2021Co-Authors: Molly Bindell, Jing Luo, Emily Walsh, Nicole E Wagner, Stephen Miller, Guohong Cai, Stacy A Bonos, Ning ZhangAbstract:Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi contribute globally to ecosystem services and play an important role in sustainable crop production. However, it is unclear which factors contribute most to their colonization and community structure at different sites, particularly in understudied ecosystems. This study investigated the AM fungal communities associated with switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) in the understudied acidic and oligotrophic Pine Barrens ecosystem using next-generation sequencing. Switchgrass was also sampled from agroecosystems, as well as, from a native prairie for comparison. The Pine Barrens switchgrass harbored a distinct AM fungal community − Acaulospora and Ambispora were almost exclusively found in the Pine Barrens sites, and some of these species may represent undescribed taxa. Glomus was the most ubiquitous AM fungal genus recovered from all sites. This study suggests differences in the AM fungal community structure under different soil properties and land uses. This is the first sequence-based report of the AM fungal communities in the Pine Barrens ecosystem.
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root endophytic fungal communities associated with pitch Pine switchgrass and rosette grass in the Pine Barrens ecosystem
Fungal Biology, 2017Co-Authors: Jing Luo, Emily Walsh, Stephen D Miller, David Blystone, John Dighton, Ning ZhangAbstract:Almost all plants in nature harbour fungi in their roots but the knowledge on distribution and the underlying principles of assemblage is still poorly developed for the root-associated fungi. In this study we analysed the root endophytic fungal communities associated with switchgrass, rosette grass, and pitch Pine in the acidic, oligotrophic Pine Barrens ecosystem. A total of 434 fungal isolates were obtained from 600 root segments of 60 plant samples. DNA barcoding and morphological analyses identified 92 fungal species, which belong to 39 genera in six classes. Compared to other ecosystems, the Pine Barrens has a higher proportion of Leotiomycetes. The fungal community associated with pitch Pine was significantly different from those associated with the grasses, while less difference was found between those associated with the two grasses. Our results suggest that edaphic factors and host specificity play a role in shaping root endophytic fungal community. This study also corroborates our previous finding that plant roots in the Pine Barrens are a rich reservoir of novel fungi.
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Temperate Pine Barrens and Tropical Rain Forests Are Both Rich in Undescribed Fungi
2016Co-Authors: Jing Luo, Emily Walsh, Abhishek Naik, Wenying Zhuang, Keqin Zhang, Lei Cai, Ning ZhangAbstract:Most of fungal biodiversity on Earth remains unknown especially in the unexplored habitats. In this study, we compared fungi associated with grass (Poaceae) roots from two ecosystems: the temperate Pine Barrens in New Jersey, USA and tropical rain forests in Yunnan, China, using the same sampling, isolation and species identification methods. A total of 426 fungal isolates were obtained from 1600 root segments from 80 grass samples. Based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences and morphological characteristics, a total of 85 fungal species (OTUs) belonging in 45 genera, 23 families, 16 orders, and 6 classes were identified, among which the Pine Barrens had 38 and Yunnan had 56 species, with only 9 species in common. The finding that grass roots in the tropical forests harbor higher fungal species diversity supports that tropical forests are fungal biodiversity hotspots. Sordariomycetes was dominant in both places but more Leotiomycetes were found in the Pine Barrens than Yunnan, which may play a role in the acidic and oligotrophic Pine Barrens ecosystem. Equal number of undescribed fungal species were discovered from the two sampled ecosystems, although the tropical Yunnan had more known fungal species. Pine Barrens is a unique, unexplored ecosystem. Our finding suggests that sampling plants in such unexplored habitats will uncover novel fungi and that grass roots in Pine Barrens are one of the major reservoirs o
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five new pseudophialophora species from grass roots in the oligotrophic Pine Barrens ecosystem
Fungal Biology, 2015Co-Authors: Jing Luo, Emily Walsh, David Blystone, Ning ZhangAbstract:During our recent survey of fungi in the oligotrophic Pine Barrens ecosystem, five new Pseudophialophora species, Pseudophialophora angusta, P. dichanthii, P. magnispora, P. tarda, and P. whartonensis, were uncovered from the roots of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) and tapered rosette grass (Dichanthelium acuminatum). The five new fungal species are described based on morphological characteristics and DNA sequences of SSU, ITS, LSU, MCM7, RPB1, and TEF1 genes. The 6-locus phylogeny indicates that Pseudophialophora species form a monophyletic clade in Magnaporthaceae of Magnaporthales. A key for all described species in Pseudophialophora is provided, including these five and three previously published species. Distinctions among the new species and other related species are discussed. The plant-fungal interaction experiment indicates that P. angusta, Pseudophialophora eragrostis, P. magnispora, Pseudophialophora schzachyrii, P. tarda, and P. whartonensis have negative effects on the growth of switchgrass. Runner hyphae were observed from the inoculated switchgrass roots, which are typical structures of root-infecting pathogens.
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barrenia a new genus associated with roots of switchgrass and Pine in the oligotrophic Pine Barrens
Fungal Biology, 2015Co-Authors: Emily Walsh, Jing Luo, Abhishek Naik, Thomas Preteroti, Ning ZhangAbstract:A new genus Barrenia is described based on multi-gene phylogenetic analyses and phenotypic and ecological characters. Isolated from roots of switchgrass and pitch Pine in the acidic and oligotrophic New Jersey Pine Barrens in this study, Barrenia likely has a wide distribution because its internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence has high similarity with a number of GenBank sequences from various ecological studies. The majority of these matching samples were from roots of plants in acidic, nutrient-poor environments, as well as from managed sugarcane plantations. Phylogenetic analyses based on ITS, LSU, and RPB1 sequence data strongly support that Barrenia is a monophyletic clade in Helotiales, distinct from any known taxa. Barrenia is phylogenetically close to Acidomelania, Loramyces, Mollisia, and Phialocephala fortinii - Acephala applanata species complex (PAC), the dark septate endophytes. Barrenia can be distinguished from Loramyces and Mollisia by its association with living plant roots. Taxa in PAC also are root endophytes but they have complex phialid arrangements that appear to be lacking in Barrenia. Plant-fungal interaction experiments showed that Barrenia panicia and Acidomelania panicicola significantly promoted root hair growth in switchgrass. Results from this work will facilitate ecological and evolutionary studies on root-associated fungi.
Emily Moriarty Lemmon - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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geographic variation in the Pine Barrens treefrog hyla andersonii concordance of genetic morphometric and acoustic signal data
Molecular Ecology, 2015Co-Authors: Alexa Warwick, Joseph Travis, Emily Moriarty LemmonAbstract:Delimiting species is important to every subfield in biology. Templeton's cohesion species concept uses genetic and ecological exchangeability to identify sets of populations that ought to be considered as the same species, and the lack of exchangeability helps determine which populations can be grouped as evolutionarily significant units (ESU) in conservation science. However, previous work assessing genetic and ecological interchangeability among populations has been limited in scope. Here, we provide a method for assessing exchangeability that incorporates multiple, independent lines of multivariate evidence in genetic, behavioural and morphological data. We use this approach to assess exchangeability across three disjunct groups of populations of the Pine Barrens Treefrog (Hyla andersonii) from the eastern United States. This species is considered threatened by each state in which it occurs and conservation management of this taxon requires a clearer understanding of how populations in these three regions may differ from one another. We find a strikingly concordant pattern in which the first axis of variation for each of the three types of data distinguishes populations along a latitudinal gradient and the second axis distinguishes the set of populations occurring in the Carolinas from those occurring in the New Jersey and Florida/Alabama regions. We know of no comparable data set that displays such concordance among different types of data across so large a geographic range. The overlap in trait values (i.e. exchangeability) between neighbouring regions, however, is substantial in all three types of data, which supports continued consideration of this taxon as a single species.
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development and characterization of 21 microsatellite loci for the Pine Barrens treefrog hyla andersonii
Conservation Genetics Resources, 2014Co-Authors: Alexa Warwick, Emily Moriarty LemmonAbstract:Twenty-one polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed and characterized for the rare Pine Barrens treefrog (Hyla andersonii). This species is found in three disjunct regions of the eastern United States and is con- sidered threatened by each state in which it occurs. In order to elucidate population structure and identify possible declines in this treefrog we designed primers that amplify across all three regions. Loci were isolated from a genomic library enriched for a variety of repetitive elements. The number of alleles ranged from 2 to 15, the observed het- erozygosity ranged from 0.17 to 0.93, and the expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.38 to 0.95 using only 15 individuals. These microsatellite markers will address a deficiency of genetic data for H. andersonii by assessing differences among the three regions and describing popu- lation structure within each region in order to inform conservation efforts.