VA mycorrhizae in strand vegetation of Hawaii: evidence for long- distance codispersal of plants and fungi

Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (VAMF) were a nearly constant component of the coastal strand of the Hawaiian Islands, occurring in beach sand, driftline debris, in roots of 23 of 31 species of vascular plants examined, and in association with rhizomes of 2 native species, Sporobolus virginicus and Jacquemontia sandwicensis. Mycorrhizae were most frequent and intensity of VAM development was greatest in endemic plants, less in indigenous species, and least in alien species. Spores of VAMF were produced in abundance between the rhizome and the leaf sheaths of Sporobolus. Codispersal of fungus and plant may explain the high frequency of mycotrophy in stand species in the tropical Pacific. -from Author