NEW RECORD OF ARBuSCuLAR MyCORRHIzA IN ASTERELLA CHILENSIS (AyTONIACEAE, MARCHANTIOPHyTA), PATAGONIA, ARGENTINA

Background and aims: The associations that are established between arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) and bryophytes (Anthocerotophyta, Bryophyta and Marchantiophyta) play an important role in the development of this group of plants. In particular, the relationship between AM and Marchantiophyta has been studied previously in different species and regions of the world and, among other things, it is mentioned that colonization by fungi can differ in abundance and occurrence even in species of the same genus. The objective of this study is to present and characterize for the first time the colonization of AM in Asterella chilensis (Aytoniaceae). M&M: The examined material comes from collections made in steppe environments of Patagonia, Argentina. The plants were conditioned, stained and analyzed according to specific techniques for bryophytes. Results: The mycorrhizal association in A. chilensis is described for the first time. A brief description and photographs of the characteristic structures of the AM are presented. The colonization percentage ranges from 35 to 38% and the AM corresponds to the Paris type, characterized by the presence of aseptate hyphae forming intracellular arbusculate coils. Conclusions: The association between AM and a livewort A. chilensis, described here, provides information of this type of associations in taxa and in harsh and little known environments.