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3546520 
Journal Article 
Ericoid fungal diversity: Challenges and opportunities for mycorrhizal research 
Leopold, DR 
2016 
1 
Fungal Ecology
ISSN: 1754-5048
EISSN: 1878-0083 
ELSEVIER SCI LTD 
OXFORD 
24 
114-123 
WOS:000389165300003 
Ericoid mycorrhiza occur only within the plant family
Ericaceae, yet are globally widespread and contribute to carbon and nutrient cycling in many
habitats where harsh conditions limit decomposition and plant nutrient uptake. An increasingly
diverse range of fungi are recognized as ericoid symbionts and patterns in the distribution of
ericoid taxa are beginning to emerge across scales. However, the true diversity of ericoid
mycorrhizal fungi remains unresolved due to limited sampling from some regions and challenges
associated with delineating mycorrhizal taxa from the broader fungal community associated with
ericoid plants. Interpreting patterns in the diversity and distributions of ericoid mycorrhizal
fungi will ultimately require improved understanding of their functional ecology and functional
diversity, which is currently limited to a few well studied species. Fortunately, many ericoid
taxa are amenable to experimental manipulation and continued ericoid mycorrhizal research
promises to improve general understanding of the ecology and evolution of mycorrhizal symbioses.
(C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd and British Mycological Society. All rights reserved. 
Biogeography; Community assembly; Diversity; Ericaceae; Ericoid mycorrhiza; Mycorrhizal fungi; Mycorrhizal research; Plant-fungal symbioses 
8th International Conference on Mycorrhizas (ICOM) 
Flagstaff, AZ