Invasive Prosopis juliflora harbours arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities distinct from its native congener P. cineraria

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) promote plant invasions through enhanced colonization of invasive species in introduced ranges compared to their native ranges or native species or congeners in the introduced range. Quantitative differences in AMF communities have been observed between roots of invasive and native plant species, but data on qualitative differences in AMF communities between roots of invasive and its native congeneric species is lacking. Here, we generate empirical evidence to propose a hypothesis that invasive species harbour host-specific AMF phylotypes that are distinct from native congeners. We compared AMF communities in roots of the global invader Prosopis juliflora and its native congener P. cineraria at two geographically separated sites in India. The aim was to determine whether invasive species host AMF communities distinct from native congeners in introduced ranges. Root AMF communities were analysed by amplifying a 550 bp portion of the AMF 18S small subunit rDNA. Soils from rhizospheres of P. juliflora and P. cineraria at the two sites were analyzed for pH, organic matter, NH4+ and PO4 3−. No site-specific divergence in root AMF communities of the congeners was observed, but a significant host-specific divergence in root AMF communities of both Prosopis species was detected.