Fungal Endophytes: Mediation of Plant-Herbivore, Plant- Plant and Plant-Seed Predator/Disperser Interactions

费思 该项目包括一系列的现场和实验室的观察和实验，以检查内生真菌的作用，阻止草食动物对亚利桑那羊茅和提高其对其他植物物种的竞争能力。 研究人员还确定了在各种环境条件下与内生真菌的关系对植物的成本（就繁殖适合度而言）。 研究人员还在研究内生菌的母体（垂直）传播对种子捕食和种子传播的影响。 这项研究的结果具有重要意义的作用，微生物在植物-动物相互作用的动力学和植物群落的组织。 这项研究的结果在保护生物学，牧场管理和开垦生态学中有应用。 与内生菌的关系可能会严重影响在开垦和牧场管理工作的本地草的重建。 这些关系也可能影响本地有蹄类动物和引进的牲畜。

Faeth This project comprises a series of field and laboratory observations and experiments to examine the role of endophytic fungi in deterring herbivory on Arizona fescue and enhancing its competitive ability against other plant species. The investigators are also determining the costs to the plant (in terms of reproductive fitness) of the relationship with endophytic fungi under various environmental conditions. The investigators are also examining the effects of maternal (vertical) transmission of the endophytes on seed predation and seed dispersal by seed-harvesting ants. The results of this research have important implications for the role of microorganisms in dynamics of plant-animal interactions and the organization of plant communities. The results of this research have applications in conservation biology, rangeland management, and reclamation ecology. The re-establishment of native grasses in reclamation and range management efforts may be seriously affected by relationships with endophytes. These relationships may also affect native ungulates and introduced livestock.