Hyaloscypha variabilis (Hambl. & Sigler) Vohník, Fehrer & Réblová 2018
Hyaloscypha variabilis (basionym Meliniomyces variabilis) is a common taxon found in acidic forests with the undergrowth of ericoid shrubs, most frequently reported from Europe and Asia, but also recorded in North America, the area spanning a wide range of mean annual temperature (https://globalfungi.com). Hyaloscypha variabilis forms ericoid mycorrhiza with shrubs in the Ericaceae family, often dominating the undergrowth of temperate and boreal forests (Vaccinium, Empetrum, Calluna). Its ericoid mycorrhizal ability is demonstrated by multi-authored observations of ericoid mycorrhizal coils in hair root cells (Hambleton & Sigler, 2005), beneficial effect on host plant growth and reciprocal transfer of resources, such as carbon and nitrogen, with its host in vitro (Grelet et al., 2009). Hyaloscypha variabilis also colonises ectomycorrhizal roots as an endophyte, and although it does not form typical ectomycorrhizal structures, it impacts on its host by modifying the morphology of fine root tips in a manner resembling superficially early-stages of ectomycorrhiza development (Vohnik et al., 2007). The genome-sequenced strain was isolated from Vaccinium sp. roots collected in the Maridalen valley near Oslo, Norway.
References:
- Grelet GA. et al. 2009. Reciprocal carbon and nitrogen transfer between an ericaceous dwarf shrub and fungi isolated from Piceirhiza bicolorata ectomycorrhizas. New Phytologist 182(2): 359-366.
- Hambleton S. & Sigler L. 2005. Meliniomyces, a new anamorph genus for root-associated fungi with phylogenetic affinities to Rhizoscyphus ericae (Hymenoscyphus ericae), Leotiomycetes. Studies in Mycology 53: 1-27.
- Vohník M. et al. 2007. The ascomycete Meliniomyces variabilis isolated from a sporocarp of Hydnotrya tulasnei (Pezizales) intracellularly colonises roots of ecto- and ericoid mycorrhizal host plants. Czech Mycology, 59(2): 215-226.
