Hindawi Publishing Corporation International Journal of Biodiversity Volume 2013, Article ID 196527, 7 pages http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/196527 Research Article Seasonal Diversity of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Mangroves of Goa, India James D’Souza and Bernard Felinov Rodrigues Department of Botany, Goa University, Taleigao, Goa 403 206, India Correspondence should be addressed to James D’Souza; james2442@gmail.com Received 27 September 2012; Revised 24 November 2012; Accepted 31 December 2012 Academic Editor: Curtis C. Daehler Copyright © 2013 J. D’Souza and B. F. Rodrigues. is is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Seasonal dynamics of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal community composition in three common mangrove plant species, namely, Acanthus ilicifolius, Excoecaria agallocha, and Rhizophora mucronata, from two sites in Goa, India, were investigated. In all three species variation in AM fungal spore density was observed. Maximum spore density and AM species richness were recorded in the premonsoon season, while minimum spore density and richness were observed during monsoon season at both sites. A total of 11 AM fungal species representing �ve genera were recorded. Acaulospora laevis was recorded in all seasons at both sites. Multivariate analysis revealed that season and host coaffected AM spore density and species richness with the former having greater in�uence than the latter. 1. Introduction Mangroves are a type of coastal woody vegetation that fringes muddy saline shores and estuaries in tropical and subtropical regions [1]. ey are characterized by high levels of productivity and ful�ll essential ecological functions, harbouring precious natural resources [2]. Mangroves have become the center of many conservation and environmental issues because of the bene�cial effects they have on the coastal environment. Recent evidence suggests that growth of man- groves is limited primarily by phosphorus (P) availability as it is adsorbed and coprecipitated within carbonate-dominated environments [3]. Phosphate solubilizers, N �xers, and AM fungi are known to interact in the rhizosphere soils [4] where hyphae of AM fungi assist in accessing nutrients by extending beyond the root depletion zone [5]. ese fungi also alleviate salt stress and aid physiological processes such as osmotic adjustment via accumulation of soluble sugars in root cells [6] and contribute to the nutritional status of plants [7]. ey play a crucial role in determining plant diversity, production, and species composition [8]. e seasons are a result of the tilt of Earth’s axis that causes variation in environmental conditions and spore density, and community composition of AM fungi are in�uenced by these changes. To understand the ecology and function of plant-fungus associations in natural ecosystems, it is necessary to clarify seasonal diversity of AM fungi, providing insight into the factors and processes regulating ecosystem development [9]. Studies on the occurrence and diversity of AM fungi from different mangrove plants have been documented [2, 10]. However, no studies have been reported on the seasonal dynamics of AM fungi in mangroves. In this paper, spore density and species richness pattern of AM fungi in relation to seasons have been elucidated. 2. Methodology 2.1. Study Sites and Sample Collection. Two study sites, name- ly, Terekhol (15 ∘ 72 ′ 28 ′′ N and 73 ∘ 72 ′ 99 ′′ E) with a stretch of 28 Km and Zuari (15 ∘ 32 ′ 56 ′′ N and 73 ∘ 89 ′ 71 ′′ E) hav- ing 67 Km, were selected for the study. ree dominant plant species, namely, Acanthus ilicifolius L. (Acanthaceae), Excoecaria agallocha L. (Euphorbiaceae), and Rhizophora mucronata Poir. (Rhizophoraceae), common to the two sites, were undertaken for the study. e tropical environment at both sites is warm and humid, with marshy soils. Mean temperature range is 22–35 ∘ C and average annual rainfall