Utilizing herbarium specimens to quantify historical mycorrhizal communities

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Mycology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Mycorrhizal fungi are vital for ecosystem health, but historical data on their belowground roles is scarce.
• Global change impacts necessitate understanding long-term ecological shifts, requiring historical ecological data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of extracting arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) DNA from historical herbarium specimens.
• To explore the potential of herbarium collections for reconstructing past AMF communities.

Main Methods:

• Roots from herbarium specimens of four forest plant species (1881-2008) were analyzed.
• Molecular techniques, including T-RFLP and sequencing, were used to identify AMF communities.
• Contamination was assessed to ensure data reliability.

Main Results:

• Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) DNA was successfully amplified from 44% of root samples, with negligible contamination.
• Significant differences in AMF composition were observed among plant species.
• No temporal shifts in AMF communities were detected, potentially due to sample size and amplification success rates.

Conclusions:

• Herbarium specimens are a valuable resource for historical belowground microbial data, enabling studies across scales.
• Methodological advancements will enhance the utility of herbaria for ecological research.
• Further research is needed to optimize curatorial practices for microbial DNA preservation.