Hidden complexity: exploring the biogeography of dune grass root fungi with next generation sequencing
- Author
- Johansen RB
- Year
- 2016
- Journal / Source
- PhD
- Publisher / Organisation
- University of Auckland
- Keywords
- spinifex, marram
- Summary
- The biogeography of cryptic fungal communities in natural systems is poorly understood, as are the causal factors underlying biogeographic variation. I used next generation sequencing (NGS) to determine the fungal communities associated with the roots of coastal dune grasses. Their biogeography was examined at global, regional, and local spatial scales, to seek evidence of dispersal limitation and environmental filtering. The impact of host plant species on these communities was also considered.