Glomus claroideum forms an arbuscular mycorrhiza-like symbiosis with the hornwort Anthoceros punctatus

Glomus claroideum

(Schenck & Smith emend. Walker & Vestberg) were investigated for ability to form arbuscular mycorrhiza-like symbioses with the hornwort Anthoceros punctatus (L.). Spores were transferred to a cellulose acetate filter on water agar and a small portion of an Anthoceros thallus was placed directly upon the spores. Light-microscope observations 20 days after inoculation revealed branched hyphae growing within the thallus. After 45 days, arbuscules and vesicles were studied by light- and electron-microscopy. After 60 days in water agar culture, the colonised Anthoceros thalli were transferred to a low-nutrient medium agar. Hyphae spread in the agar and newly formed spores were observed 5 weeks after the transfer. After 4 months, about 1000 spores were formed in each Petri dish. This is the first report of an experimentally established arbuscular mycorrhiza-like symbiosis between an identified fungus belonging to the Glomales and a bryophyte.