PCR-RFLP analysis of ectomycorrhiza from a 3 ha study site in Eucalyptus marginata forest revealed the presence of 150 basidiomycete fungal taxa. An additional 95 species have been recorded as sporocarps from this site but have not yet been found on roots. Members of the Russulaceae, Amanitaceae and Cortinariaceae but not the Thelephoraceae are prominent as root associates in this forest type. Molecular analysis of sporocarps from this small area showed a high level of intraspecific variation in nrDNA ITS and mtLSU sequences.
Fire history affects the presence and abundance of some species and sub-species.
Intraspecific variation may represent taxonomic complexes in some groups, particularly the Russulaceae and Cortinariaceae. Sampling of more than one collection of each morpho-species is therefore a necessity, with the retention of good collections and vouchers. Using molecular analyses of sporocarps and roots, we are currently investigating the variation among a series of forest areas with a range of understorey vegetation types, and also the development of ectomycorrhizal communities in minesites rehabilitated with forest vegetation.