Looping Network Meetings

#42 May 12, 2023

Monday, 15:00 CET

Corentin Bisot

Dynamics of network architecture and flows reveal a traveling-wave strategy for plant-mycorrhizal trade

Abstract:
The plant-mycorrhizal symbiosis is fundamental to terrestrial ecosystems. Yet, the physical network topology of mycorrhizal fungi – and flows within their microscopic hyphae – have never been quantified across space and time. Using branching random walks, growing AM fungal networks implement a morphological program best described as a traveling wave. Imaging flows within the network behind the wave front revealed highly dynamic intra-hyphal nutrient streams (on average 5-10um/sec, but as high as 80 um/sec) in two directions simultaneously, enabling carbon transport to growing tips and spores while sending other nutrients back to the root. Moreover, flow speeds correlated in time with spore growth demand, and in space with centrality of hyphal edges within the network graph. Our findings suggest that symbiotic trade network morphology is shaped by a tight balance between resource export to the plant with dispersal and exploration for new trade opportunities, and provide the first direct evidence for network-level control of flow dynamics in response to growth and trade demands.

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