Molecular detection of bacteria associated with Serendipita sp., a mycorrhizal fungus from the orchid Stanhopea connata Klotzsch in southern Ecuador

Abstract

We examined the bacterial community associated with an orchid mycorrhizal fungus from the Neotropical region. Living hyphae of Serendipita sp., isolated from roots of Stanhopea connata, were screened using molecular tools to identify associated prokaryotes. In total, nine distinctive bacterial OTUs were detected belonging to phyla Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria. Within Firmicutes the genera Bacillus, Gemella, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus were detected. Other genera such as Paracoccus, Achromobacter from Proteobacteria and Acidobacter from Acidobacteria were also revealed. Additionally, one OTU with close similarity to Neisseriaceae of the Betaproteobacteria was detected. Further investigations, eg fluorescent or electron microscopy, are necessary to determine whether the uncovered bacteria are situated inside or outside the fungal hyphae.