Global population structures and demographic history of Suillus luteus , a pine co‐introduced ectomycorrhizal fungus associated with exotic forestry and invasion
Yi‐Hong Ke, Anna Bazzicalupo, Joske Ruytinx, Lotus Lofgren, Thomas Bruns, Sara Branco, Brian Looney, Dai Hirose, Leho Tedersoo, Ursula Peintner, J. Alejandro Rojas, Hui‐Ling Liao, Jonathan M. Plett, Ian C. Anderson, Anna Lipzen, Alan Kuo, Kerrie Barry, Igor Grigoriev, Jason D. Hoeksema, Peter G. Kennedy, Nhu H. Nguyen, Rytas VilgalysSummary
Human colonization since the 19th century has resulted in the global spread of pines beyond their original northern boreal distribution. Although the introduction history of pines is documented through historical records, little is known about the introduction history of their ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi, which are critical symbionts for the survival and invasion of pines.
Using
Suillus luteus
as an example, whole genomes of 208 individuals collected across native and introduced ranges were sequenced to reveal the introduction history of pine co‐introduced ECM fungi.
Population genomics analyses showed that all introductions originated from Europe. With the exception of North America, introduced populations were genetically differentiated from the European population, with varying magnitudes of population expansion in different introduced regions. Genetic variation within the native European population followed isolation by distance, but not in the introduced range, highlighting the disparity in the spatial‐genetic patterns of native vs exotic habitats.
The spread of
S. luteus
is mediated by human activities accompanying pine introductions, with its demographic history linked to forestry practices. The spatial, temporal, and demographic patterns observed in
S. luteus
offer insight into the population genetics of a widely introduced ECM fungus and are likely applicable to other pine co‐introduced ECM fungi.