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

本项目包括一系列的野外和实验室观察和实验，以研究内生真菌在阻止亚利桑那羊茅的食草性和增强其与其他植物物种的竞争能力方面的作用。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（在生殖适应性方面）的成本。研究人员还研究了内生菌的母体（垂直）传播对种子采集蚂蚁捕食和传播种子的影响。本研究结果对微生物在植物-动物相互作用动力学和植物群落组织中的作用具有重要意义。研究结果在保护生物学、牧场管理和复垦生态学等领域具有应用价值。在垦殖和牧场管理中，与内生菌的关系可能会严重影响原生草的恢复。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.