Ecology Amylostereum

amylostereum laevigatum on fallen juniper

amylostereaceae infest dead or cut down conifer wood. 3 species – a. areolatum, a. laevigatum , a. chailletii – may establish symbiosis wood wasps (siricidae), beside freshly logged trees infest living trees , infect them fungi. symbioses have been recorded several species: sirex noctilio, s. juvencus, s. nitobei, s. cyaneus, s. edwarsii, s. nitidus, and, in japan, urocerus antennatus , xoanon matsumurae. wasps of genera sirex , urocerus store oidia (the hypha of fungi split spores) in special abdominal organs. wood wasps infect trees splashing phytotoxic secretion below bark , @ same time injecting fungal spores hole. secretion weakens tree , temporarily diminishes immune system, whereby fungus can spread along xylem. infection amylostereaceae fulfill 2 functions wasps: provides larvae food, because white rot softens wood; @ same time, mycelia of fungi serves food larvae. after larvae pupate, absorbs mycelia of amylostereaceae body oviposit eggs. fungus benefits symbiosis spreads faster , more through airborne spores , furthermore not need develop fruit bodies. a. ferreum amylosterum species has not been associated woodwasps.

host spectrum

red-streakiness , wood wasp larvae in pinewood, infested a. areolatum

the host spectrum of amylostereaceae comprises several, partially different genera of coniferae. a. chailletii infests pinaceae such firs (abies) , spruces (picea), cedars (cedrus) , douglas firs (pseudotsuga). a. areolatum has similar host spectrum, uses firs, japanese cedars (cryptomeria), larches (larix), spruces, pines (pinus) , douglas firs hosts. while spruces dominate hosts in native habitat, species more common in pines on other locations. host spectrum of a. laevigatum comprises cupressaceae such junipers (juniperus) or cypresses (cupressus) , english yew (taxus baccata). a. ferreum is, however, common on neotropic yellowwoods (podocarpus).

symptoms of infestation

the amylostereaceae white rot pathogens. disintegrate lignin of host wood, whereby infested wood parts become less stable , take fibrous structure. wood bleaches fungal enzymes break down , remove brown-pigmented lignin. distribution in wood takes place along transport channels in xylem. if wood crosscut, red rot vertically positioned, on bleached, infested areas contrast intact wood. symptoms of infestion symbiotic partner—wood wasps—include circular exit holes in crust , acute stress through dryness, common in hanging, falling or tanning needles.