RUSSULACEOUS ECTOMYCORRHIZAE OF ABIES-LASIOCARPA AND PICEA-ENGELMANNII

During a 3-year study of the ectomycorrhizal fungi of subalpine forest s in the Front Ranges of the Canadian Rockies, species of Russula and Lactarius were conspicuous mycobionts of both erect and krummholz form s of Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt. and Picea engelmannii Parry. Morph ological identifications of Russulaceous mycorrhizae were confirmed by comparing polymerase chain reaction amplified ribosomal DNA (internal transcribed spacer region) with that of sporocarp tissue. Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis using AluI, HhaI, HinfI, and Rs aI gave a distinctive profile for each of 14 Russulaceous sporocarps a nd facilitated the identification of five mycorrhizae. Mantles formed by Lactarii (Lactarius alnicola, Lactarius caespitosus, and Lactarius deliciosus var. areolatus) exhibit characteristic laticifers and pigme nts comparable to the associated sporocarp. Those formed by species of Russula (R. brevipes and R. silvicola) bear distinctive cystidia or s ulphovanillin-reactive cells.