Arbuscular mycorrhizal and dark septate fungi are not common in roots of epiphytic pteridophytes of a transitional forest area in South Brazil

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and dark septate (DSF) are symbionts that associated with the roots of plants, including epiphytic lycophytes ferns. Paris-type mycorrhiza glomoid structures most common forms colonization in these plants. This work aimed to evaluate occurrence ferns as well diversity AMF spores recovered from substrate eleven species. Roots Asplenium gastonis, Campyloneurum aglaolepis, C. nitidum, Niphidium crassifolium, Pecluma pectinatiformis, Phlegmariurus mandiocanus, Pleopeltis hirsutissima, P. pleopeltifolia andSelaginella microphyllahad hyphae vesicles typical colonization, but not arbuscules.Campyloneurum Selaginella melanized microsclerotia DSF. All species colonized by DSF were also AMF. Seventeen spore morphotypes identified, which six acaulosporoid glomoid. Glomus aff. formosanum andAcaulospora lacunosa abundant frequent Epiphytic host concurrently is scanty their roots. For first time, intraradical reported for this group