Molecular phylogeny, taxonomy & evolution of Glomeromycota

The arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are exceptionally important mutualists, forming a symbiosis with 80% of all terrestrial plants. In the last decade it turned out that morphological identification of AMF is often misleading. Furthermore, species recognition in roots based on morphology is not possible. Molecular data gave insights into many new and unexpected phylogenetic relationships, but were still scattered regarding used molecular markers and taxon sampling, hampering molecular ecological studies. The focus of this study was to elaborate a robust molecular phylogeny as a base for natural systematics and as data baseline for molecular characterization and detection of AMF with newly designed AMF specific primers for in-field community analyses. The baseline data developed in this study will improve future molecular biodiversity and ecological studies and the uncovering of functional diversity and evolutionary aspects of AMF.