Biodiversity and Ecology of Soil Fauna in Relation to Truffle

Abstract

The interactions between fungi and soil fauna are still not well known, but these complex relationships are worthy of attention because both groups are really important as trophic and functional groups in the soil food web. Some studies suggested that soil fauna play an important role in the ecology of fungi and fungi represent an important food resource for some soil animals such as earthworms, nematodes, springtails, beetles and others. Soil fauna can act positively or negatively on fungal growth, dispersion and fruit body production. Grazing on fungal mycelium, many animals may alter fungal morphology and physiology. These effects can alter the fungal fitness and then their combativeness in interaction with other soil microorganisms, including fungi. Various aspects related to the relationships between true truffles (Tuber sp.) and soil fauna and the role that soil animals may play in the ecology of truffles are taken into account in this chapter.