Russula Brevipes Research Articles

Comparison of Bacterial Communities in Five Ectomycorrhizal Fungi Mycosphere Soil.

Ectomycorrhizal fungi have huge potential value, both nutritionally and economically, but most of them cannot be cultivated artificially. To better understand the influence of abiotic and biotic factors upon the growth of ectomycorrhizal fungi, mycosphere soil and bulk soil of five ectomycorrhizal fungi (Calvatia candida, Russula brevipes, Leucopaxillus laterarius, Leucopaxillus giganteus, and Lepista panaeola) were used as research objects for this study. Illumina MiSeq sequencing technology was used to analyze the community structure of the mycosphere and bulk soil bacteria of the five ectomycorrhizal fungi, and a comprehensive analysis was conducted based on soil physicochemical properties. Our results show that the mycosphere soil bacteria of the five ectomycorrhizal fungi are slightly different. Escherichia, Usitatibacter, and Bradyrhizobium are potential mycorrhizal-helper bacteria of distinct ectomycorrhizal fungi. Soil water content, soil pH, and available potassium are the main factors shaping the soil bacterial community of the studied ectomycorrhizal fungi. Moreover, from the KEGG functional prediction and LEfSe analysis, there are significant functional differences not only between the mycosphere soil and bulk soil. 'Biosynthesis of terpenoidsand steroids', 'alpha-Linolenic acid metabolism', 'Longevity regulating pathway-multiple species', 'D-Arginine and D-ornithine metabolism', 'Nitrotoluene degradation' and other functions were significantly different in mycosphere soil. These findings have pivotal implications for the sustainable utilization of ectomycorrhizal fungi, the expansion of edible fungus cultivation in forest environments, and the enhancement of derived economic benefits.

Revealing the 1H-NMR Profiling of Six Edible Mushrooms Consumed in the Northeastern Highlands of Puebla, Mexico.

The 1H-NMR metabolomics profiling of six edible mushrooms consumed in the northeastern highlands of Puebla, Mexico is presented. These fungi were morpho- and molecularly identified as Infundibulicybe squamulosa, Amanita jacksonii, Lepista nuda, Russula delica, Russula brevipes, and Lactarius indigo. The chemical profiling confirmed the presence of eight essential amino acids and their derivatives, six organic acids, six nucleosides, low amounts of reducing sugars, and valuable nutraceuticals such as betaine, carnitine, glycero-3-phosphocholine and O-acetylcarnitine which were differentially determined and quantified in the six mushrooms by qNMR. Principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal projections to latent structures discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) generated four different groups. Two of these groups were constituted by fungal species with phylogenic relationships whereas non-phylogenetic related species were separated from each other. The potential use of 1H-NMR metabolomics and chemometrics to group macromycetes and determine the nutritional and nutraceutical potential of these local foods is demonstrated.

Insights into the Chemistry and Functional Properties of Edible Mushrooms Cropped in the Northeastern Highlands of Puebla, Mexico

Herein, we present an integrative investigation of the nutritional and nutraceutical potential of Lactarius indigo, Clitocybe nuda, Clitocybe subclavipes, Russula delica, Russula brevipes, Clitocybe squamulosa, and Amanita jacksonii, which are edible mushrooms consumed in the northeastern highlands of Puebla, Mexico. The content of protein oscillated from 4.8 to 10.9 g 100 g−1 fresh weight (FW) whereas that of fiber ranged from 8.8 to 19.7 g 100 g−1 FW. The edible species presented low amounts of fat (1.5–3.4 g 100 g−1 FW) and reducing sugars (0.8–2.9 g 100 g−1 FW), whereas the content of vitamin C oscillated from 6.5 to 84.8 mg 100 g−1 dry weight (DW). In addition, four vitamins of B complex (thiamine, riboflavin, vitamin B6, and folate) were determined in different concentrations. A high abundance of potassium (92.3–294.3 mg 100 g−1 DW), calcium (139.1–446.9 mg 100 g−1 DW), and magnesium (81.3–339.1 mg 100 g−1 DW) was determined in most of the edible mushrooms, as well as detectable levels of p-hydroxybenzoic acid (2.2–48.7 mg 100 g−1 DW), protocatechuic acid (0.5–50.8 mg 100 g−1 DW), oleic acid (14.2–98.3 mg 100 g−1 DW), linoleic acid (748–1549.6 mg 100 g−1 DW), and linolenic acid (from 9.1 to 83.6 mg 100 g−1 DW). The total phenol content and antioxidant capacity significantly (p < 0.05) varied among the studied species, and their capacity to inhibit enzymes involved in glucose, lipid, and polyamine metabolism. Nevertheless, the hydroalcoholic extracts from A. jacksonii and L. indigo efficiently inhibited alpha-glucosidase and ornithine decarboxylase (IC50 < 50 µg mL−1), respectively. The evaluation of the same extracts on microorganisms associated with the gastrointestinal tract showed negligible toxicity on probiotics (MIC > 500 µg mL−1) and moderate toxicity against pathogenic bacteria (MIC < 400 µg mL−1). Based on the studied parameters, principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis clustered these edible mushrooms into two main groups with similar biological or chemical properties.

A fungal functionalized magnetized solid phase extractor for preconcentrations of Pb(II), Mn(II), and Co(II) from real samples

Due to increasing industrialization and overpopulation, the amount of toxic metals is increasing in the environment, including air, soil, water, and food. Solid phase extraction is an efficient and ideal technique to preconcentrate the toxic metals before their measurements by analytical instruments. Russula brevipes was immobilized on γ-Fe2O3 magnetic nanoparticles and employed as a SPE sorbent to preconcentrate the trace level of Pb(II), Mn(II), and Co(II). To investigate the extraction conditions, significant experimental parameters were examined in details. LODs were calculated as 0.022, 0.015, and 0.024 ng mL−1 for Pb(II), Mn(II), and Co(II), respectively. The biosorption capacities of R. brevipes immobilized γ-Fe2O3 were calculated as 43.1 mg g−1 for Pb(II), 54.9 mg g−1 for Mn(II), and 49.7 mg g−1 for Co(II). Pb(II), Mn(II), and Co(II) in food samples at trace levels were preconcentrated by applying the developed method.

Basic Red 18 and Remazol Brilliant Blue R biosorption using Russula brevipes, Agaricus augustus, Fomes fomentarius

Abstract In this study, the adsorption abilities of Russula brevipes (RB), Agaricus augustus (AA), and Fomes fomentarius (FF) were evaluated in Basic Red 18 (BR18) and Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR) biosorption from textile effluent. The adsorbents were characterized via Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (SEM-EDS), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT/IR). Fomes fomentarius presented a low sorption capacity contrary to the two other fungi (RB and AA). RB and AA were selected as potential adsorbents for BR18 and RBBR, respectively. The maximum BR18 removal efficiencies for 10, 25, and 50 mg/L were obtained after 60 min to be 90, 88, and 86%, respectively. The RBBR adsorption efficiencies were 96.4, 96, and 90% for dye concentrations of 10, 25, and 50 mg/L. The adsorption of BR18 onto the RB biomass followed the Freundlich isotherm, while Langmuir is the best isotherm for RBBR sorption's elucidation onto AA fungus biomass. The removal of BR18 by BR biomass was found to follow the pseudo-second order. In contrast, the adsorption of RBBR onto the AA biomass followed Lagergren's pseudo-first order. For both adsorbents, the adsorption was exothermic, feasible, and spontaneous in nature. Finally, the dyes' biosorption process was perfectly achieved onto fungi biomass via physisorption.

Effects of spore inoculation of edible mycorrhizal fungi on the morphological development ofPinus hartwegii seedlings

Pinus hartwegii forests have several fungal species with high economic and ecological value; however, the fungus-plant interactionsinvolve in plant’s morphological development, are unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the morphological attributesof P. hartwegii seedlings, inoculated with ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMCF) spore’s solution on greenhouse, and know its effect on thisforest specie development. Seedlings were inoculated at four and eight months using three ECMF spore solution in separatedtreatments: Russula brevipes, Russula emetica and Lactarius deliciosus. After 18 months, seedlings were evaluated throughdasometric variables such as height, stem, and crown diameter. Also, biomass was obtained in three structural components (stem,foliage, and root) through dry weight. Additionally, chlorophyll concentration (α and β), carotenes and mortality rate were measured(based on the formula of Trigueros-Bañuelos et al., 2009). Root architecture (number and length of roots) was measured with theEZ-Rhizo program. Dasometric variables showed differences (p=0.05) between fungal treatments, but plant biomass did not showdifferences between treatments. Correlation between direct variables (stem diameter, height, and crown diameter) and indirectvariables (stem, foliage, and root) showed a strong relationship between stem diameter (r = 0.97) and foliage (r =0.96). Chlorophyllsand carotenes showed no significant relationship between fungal treatments. The annual mortality rate was significantly high (80%)in the three treatments. Roots in L. deliciosus treatment showed a maximum length of 364.93 cm. ECMF are important in P.hartwegii’s development, the greatest efficiency was observed in R. emetica and L. deliciosus treatment

Morphotaxonomy and comparative mycochemical study and antioxidant activity of hydromethanol, infusion and decoction extracts from Russula brevipes Peck

Nature has bestowed Jammu and Kashmir with extraordinary climatic conditions, apt for different mushroom varieties. In the view of inventorization of macrofungal flora of the state, a recent expedition was carried out in Kishtwar High Altitude National Park resulting isolation of several wild edible specimens. One of those collected taxa was identified as Russula brevipes Peck based on morpho-taxonomical features that has been described herein. The research was further extended to register its bioactive compounds as well as pharmacological prospect and for that different extraction conditions were used. Comparatively, decoction and infusion presented better radical scavenging and metal ion chelating activity respectively than that of hydro-methanol formulation. The finding could be justified by the presence of phenolics in higher extent suggesting water in high temperature facilitates leaching of therapeutics in superior amount from solid matrices. Overall study highlights consideration of R. brevipes as a natural source of valuable compounds with potency to reduce oxidative stress.

Etnomicología y venta de hongos en un mercado del Noroeste del estado de Puebla, México

Antecedentes: La recolección de hongos silvestres en la sierra norte del estado de Puebla se remonta a los pueblos prehispánicos. Los actores sociales involucrados en su recolección y comercialización implica comprender la relación entre el ser humano y los hongos útiles.Objetivo: Registrar las especies de hongos silvestres comercializadas y el papel social que desempeñan los miembros de las familias que los recolectan.Métodos: Se aplicó de junio de 2016 a 2017 un cuestionario etnomicológico a 38 comerciantes de hongos y entrevistas abiertas a colaboradores claves en el mercado principal de Zaragoza, PueblaResultados y conclusiones: Se presenta un listado de 21 especies de macromicetos silvestres de las cuales cinco son las más vendidas:Russula brevipes; Ampulloclitocybe clavipes; Armillariella mellea; Boletus edulis y Lactarius indigo; quienes las comercializan son en un 92.1% del sexo femenino. La experiencia mostrada por las mujeres en el uso, manejo y comercialización de los macromicetos silvestres es reproducida de generación en generación a través de la recolección colectiva con varios miembros de sus familias.

DNA distribution pattern and metabolite profile of wild edible lobster mushroom (Hypomyces lactifluorum/Russula brevipes).

Lobster mushroom is a wild edible mushroom with potential commercial value. It is the product resulting of the infection, most commonly of Russula brevipes, by Hypomyces lactifluorum. This study undertook quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis of tissues sampled at different infection stages to investigate R. brevipes - H. lactifluorum interaction. We followed the colonization of R. brevipes sporocarps by H. lactifluorum that leads to the edible lobster mushrooms. In parallel, metabolomics analysis was performed to detect differences in metabolite profile among non-infected R. brevipes sporocarp and lobster mushroom. The results show that H. lactifluorum DNA is not restricted to the margin but is distributed relatively evenly across the sporocarp of the lobster mushroom. Russula brevipes DNA was also present throughout the sporocarp but was less abundant at the margins and increased inwards. Russula brevipes DNA also declined as the infection progressed. Metabolomics analysis revealed that the flesh of lobster mushroom, which remains identical in appearance to the flesh of the host, undergoes transformation that alters its metabolite profile, most notably of lipids and terpene compounds. These results define a parasitic relationship between the two species that entails a decline of R. brevipes DNA and a modification of its metabolite profile.

Molecular Identification of Mycorrhizae of Cymbidium kanran (Orchidaceae) on Jeju Island, Korea

A fungal internal transcribed spacer region was used to identify the mycorrhizae of Cymbidium kanran. The family Russulaceae was found to be the most frequently occurring group in both root and soil samples. In phylogenetic analyses, the majority of the Russulaceae clones were clustered with Russula brevipes and R. cyanoxantha. Therefore, C. kanran may form symbiotic relationships with the genus Russula.

Antioxidant Capacity and Total Phenolics Content of the Fruiting Bodies and Submerged Cultured Mycelia of Sixteen Higher Basidiomycetes Mushrooms from India.

The fruiting bodies and the submerged cultured mycelia of 16 higher Basidiomycetes mushrooms- Agaricus bisporus, Armillaria mellea, Auricularia auricula-judae, Ganoderma applanatum, G. lucidum, Laetiporus sulphureus, Lentinus tigrinus, Lycoperdon pyriforme, Phellinus linteus, Pleurotus ostreatus, P. sajor-caju, Polyporus arcularius, Russula brevipes, Schizophyllum commune, Sparassis crispa, and Spongipellis unicolor-from different taxonomic groups were examined for their antioxidant capacity (AOXC) and total phenolics content (TPC). Extraction of the freeze-dried and pulverized fruiting bodies and mycelia with methanol and water (8:2, v/v), followed by evaporation of the solvent under a vacuum, created their extracts, which were analyzed for their AOXC and TPC using a DPPH· scavenging assay and the Folin-Ciocalteu method, respectively. The fruiting bodies and the culture mycelia of all the mushroom species exhibited varied antioxidant capacity; however, the fruiting bodies had more potent DPPH· scavenging than the corresponding mycelia irrespective of the mushroom species, as evident by the effective concentrations of extract that scavenges 50% of DPPH· (EC50) of the former (0.56-1.24 mg mL-1) being lower than those of the latter (2.51-8.39 mg mL-1). TPC in the fruiting bodies (6.08-24.85 mg gallic acid equivalent [GAE] g-1) were higher than those in the mycelia (4.17-13.34 mg GAE g-1). AOXC of the fruiting bodies (r = -0.755) and the culture mycelia (r = -0.903) also was correlated to their TPC. Among the cultured mycelia, A. bisporus, A. mellea, L. tigrinus, P. ostreatus, and S. crispa were highly promising in terms of their highest TPC (10.55, 13.34, 11.00, 10.37, and 10.19 mg GAE g-1, respectively) and the lowest EC50 values (3.33, 2.85, 2.51, 3.65, and 3.17 mg mL-1, respectively) as they relate to the development of antioxidants.

Macrofungal diversity and habitat specificity: a case study

The diversity of macrofungi in the lateritic region of West Bengal was explored and 120 species, one subgenus and a variety, having eight ecological functions, were found to grow among three types of habitats, i.e. natural forests, plantation forests and villages. Yate’s corrected chi-square (χ2) test statistic was performed upon the 2 × 2 table (contingency table) and testing the null hypotheses of independence of observed cell frequencies of the presence/absence of a species in a given habitat type. Various degrees of specificities of macrofungi to their habitats were observed, i.e. Amanita vaginata, Astraeus hygrometricus, Laccaria laccata, Lactarius zonarius, Porphyrellus malaccensis, Russula brevipes, Russula delica, Russula emetica and Russula laurocerasi were absolutely specific for natural forests; Pisolithus arhizus and Ramaria fumigata were absolutely specific for plantation forests; Auricularia auricula, Schizophyllum commune and Termitomyces clypeatus (only association coefficient 100%) were found to absolutely specific for village habitat. MS Excel-based formulas for calculation of association/specificity of species to habitat and species to species as well as other diversity indices are provided. Local and tribal populations used 19 species of macrofungi during their fruiting period, of which 17 had culinary values and four were locally considered medicinal. This study is a first of its kind, and has various applications to allied disciplines in understanding diversity, ecology and biological prospects of the macrofungal realm.

Abies religiosa forests harbor the highest species density and sporocarp productivity of wild edible mushrooms among five different vegetation types in a neotropical temperate forest region

More than 300 wild edible mushrooms are consumed in Mexico. They have been reported mainly from temperate forests in the center and southeast of the country. However, these valuable non-timber forest products are under-utilized because a lack of knowledge on their ecology and productivity. The objectives of this work were to compare the richness and fruit body production of wild edible mushrooms in temperate forests with a distinct vegetation composition in Amanalco, to describe species availability, and to test a new sampling approach in a heterogeneous environmental context. We designed a sampling method with random transects rather than traditional fixed sampling sites. Our method permits the acquisition of data from the highest number of environmental conditions. In 2009 and 2010, we collected and counted mushrooms in 248 transects distributed in five vegetation types (Abies, Abies–Pinus, Pinus, Pinus–Quercus and Quercus). We calculated the ecological importance value of each species as a function of its relative abundance and relative spatial frequency and relative temporal frequency. Abies religiosa pure stands and A. religiosa–Pinus forests had the greatest richness of edible fungi (43.1 and 21.3 species ha−1, respectively) and produced most of the fruit bodies (1,160 and 820 ha−1, respectively). The most abundant species in Amanalco region (combining all the vegetation types), Clavulina cinerea, Clitocybe gibba and Russula brevipes, also had the highest ecological importance value (0.2312, 0.1709 and 0.1516, respectively). These temperate forests maintain a considerable diversity of valuable wild edible mushrooms that are heterogeneously distributed according to the type of vegetation.

한라산 구상나무(Abies koreana)의 외생균근의 다양성

This study was conducted to investigate colonization of ectomycorrhizal fungi(ECM) in roots of Abies koreana which is an endemic and endangered species in Korea. Roots of A. koreana were collected at Mt. Halla. ECM root tips were classified using morphotyping and identified using sequences of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the fungal rDNA. Total 8 species of ECM fungi were identified from roots of 11 seedlings of A. koreana : Cenococum geophilum, Russula brevipes, 2 species of Russula, 2 species of Thelephora, Cortinarius camphorates and 2 species of Helotiales. These species were known to be typical ectomycorrhizal fungi found in coniferous mature forests.

Effects of clearcut logging and tree species composition on the diversity and community composition of epigeous fruit bodies formed by ectomycorrhizal fungi

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of stand age and tree species composition on the abundance, diversity, and community composition of epigeous fruit bodies formed by ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi in the Interior Cedar Hemlock zone of British Columbia. Fruit bodies were collected and identified in May, June, August, September, and October of 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999 from transects located in new (5 year old) plantations and mature (75–125 year old) wild forests composed of relatively pure Betula papyrifera Marsh. (paper birch), relatively pure Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca (Beissn.) Franco (interior Douglas-fir), and mixtures of the two tree species. A total of 187 fungal taxa were collected during the study, of which 185 occurred in mature forests and only 17 occurred in the plantations. Thirty-four taxa were unique to mature predominantly birch forests, 35 were unique to mature predominantly Douglas-fir forests, 17 were unique to mixed mature forests, and 68 taxa were found in all three mature forest types. The abundance of fruit bodies in mature forests varied widely among sampling years and generally increased with annual precipitation. ECM species richness differed between stand ages but not among forest compositions in both plantations and mature forests. Lactarius glyciosmus , Hygrophorus eburneus var. eburneus , and Cortinarius armillatus were more abundant in mature birch than mature Douglas-fir forests. Lactarius torminosus , Leccinum scabrum var. scabrum , and Rozites caperatus were also found predominantly in mature birch and mixed forests, whereas Gomphidius subroseus was more abundant in Douglas-fir forests than in birch and mixed mature forests. Russula brevipes was also found predominantly in mature Douglas-fir and mixed forests. Our results indicate that clearcutting has a profound effect on abundance and composition of ECM fruit bodies, and that changes in forest tree species composition may lead to shifts in ECM fungal community composition.

No evidence of population structure across three isolated subpopulations of Russula brevipes in an oak/pine woodland

Russula brevipes is common ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungus that is associated with several hosts across temperate forest ecosystems. A previous study has demonstrated that substructuring across large geographic distances (1500 km) occurs in the western USA. To examine genetic structure over a more localized scale, basidiocarps of Russula brevipes from three subpopulations, separated by distances of 230-1090 m, were collected over two consecutive years in an oak/pine woodland. Microsatellite loci were used to test for population differentiation both among subpopulations and by year. No significant population differentiation was detected between subpopulations (theta(ST) = 0.01) or between years (theta(ST) = 0.01). Most loci were consistent with a Hardy-Weinburg equilibrium and 82% of the genets between seasons from similar sampling localities constituted new genotypes. These results indicate that R. brevipes constitutes a randomly mating population with no genetic differentiation between locations or across successive fruiting seasons.

Inefficient photosynthesis in the Mediterranean orchid Limodorum abortivum is mirrored by specific association to ectomycorrhizal Russulaceae

Among European Neottieae, Limodorum abortivum is a common Mediterranean orchid. It forms small populations with a patchy distribution in woodlands, and is characterized by much reduced leaves, suggesting a partial mycoheterotrophy. We have investigated both the photosynthetic abilities of L. abortivum adult plants and the diversity of mycorrhizal fungi in Limodorum plants growing in different environments and plant communities (coniferous and broadleaf forests) over a wide geographical and altitudinal range. Despite the presence of photosynthetic pigments, CO2 fixation was found to be insufficient to compensate for respiration in adult plants. Fungal diversity was assessed by morphological and molecular methods in L. abortivum as well as in the related rare species Limodorum trabutianum and Limodorum brulloi. Phylogenetic analyses of the fungal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences, obtained from root samples of about 80 plants, revealed a tendency to associate predominantly with fungal symbionts of the genus Russula. Based on sequence similarities with known species, most root endophytes could be ascribed to the species complex encompassing Russula delica, Russula chloroides, and Russula brevipes. Few sequences clustered in separate groups nested within Russula, a genus of ectomycorrhizal fungi. The morphotypes of ectomycorrhizal root tips of surrounding trees yielded sequences similar or identical to those obtained from L. abortivum. These results demonstrate that Limodorum species with inefficient photosynthesis specifically associate with ectomycorrhizal fungi, and appear to have adopted a nutrition strategy similar to that known from achlorophyllous orchids.

Microsatellite loci from Russula brevipes, a common ectomycorrhizal associate of several tree species in North America

AbstractSix microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized from genomic libraries enriched for (CA)n (GA)n (ATG)n, and (CAG)n, microsatellite motifs from Russula brevipes, a common ectomycorrhizal fungus that forms mutualisms with several species of trees in North America. The polymerase chain reaction primers were tested on 27 sporocarps of R. brevipes sampled in Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), grey pine (Pinus sabiniana), and Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) stands. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to 14 with expected heterozygosity values from 0.00 to 0.92 within populations. These are the first six microsatellite loci characterized from Russula brevipes that can be used for estimating genotypic diversity and population structure.

Size, distribution, and persistence of genets in local populations of the late-stage ectomycorrhizal basidiomycete, Russula brevipes.

• The spatial mapping of genets from sporocarps allows determination of the primary modes of reproduction of ectomycorrhizal fungi. The goals of this research were to determine the relative size, density, and persistence of genets of Russula brevipes , a late successional basidiomycete, in mature stands of lodgepole pine ( Pinus contorta ) and Sitka spruce ( Picea sitchensis ). • Sporocarps were mapped and genets were identified using species-specific hypervariable microsatellite markers. • Most of the sporocarps sampled in clumped aggregations were the same genet and occupied areas less than 3m. The largest distance measured between two sporocarps of the same genet was 18m. In local populations of R. brevipes associated with Sitka spruce, genets were comprised of largely related individuals, whereas in lodgepole pine, most genets appeared unrelated. • High genotypic diversity in Sitka spruce stands suggests frequent mating and recombination between local inhabitants from primary establishment of basidiospores. In lodgepole pine, fewer, unrelated genotypes of R. brevipes indicates that multiple sources of colonization arose from infrequent, long distance spore dispersal events.

Community structure of ectomycorrhizal fungi in a Pinus muricata forest: minimal overlap between the mature forest and resistant propagule communities.

We have investigated colonization strategies by comparing the abundance and frequency of ectomycorrhizal fungal species on roots in a mature Pinus muricata forest with those present as resistant propagules colonizing potted seedlings grown in the same soil samples. Thirty-seven fungal species were distinguished by internal transcribed spacer (ITS) restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs); most were identified to species level by sporocarp RFLP matches or to genus/family level by using sequence databases for the mitochondrial and nuclear large-subunit rRNA genes. The below-ground fungal community found in the mature forest contrasted markedly with the resistant propagule community, as only four species were found in both communities. The dominant species in the mature forest were members of the Russulaceae, Thelephorales and Amanitaceae. In contrast, the resistant propagule community was dominated by Rhizopogon species and by species of the Ascomycota. Only one species, Tomentella sublilacina (Thelephorales), was common in both communities. The spatial distribution of mycorrhizae on mature roots and propagules in the soil differed among the dominant species. For example, T. sublilacina mycorrhizae exhibited a unique bias toward the organic horizons, Russula brevipes mycorrhizae were denser and more clumped than those of other species and Cenococcum propagules were localized, whereas R. subcaerulescens propagules were evenly distributed. We suggest that species differences in resource preferences and colonization strategies, such as those documented here, contribute to the maintenance of species richness in the ectomycorrhizal community.