eukarootides

Eukarootides is a provisional name for a clade of eukaryotic microorganisms reported to associate with plant roots. The term emerged from analyses of root microbiomes that recovered multiple lineages with convergent traits linked to root colonization. Because the group has not been formally circumscribed, eukarootides remains a tentative taxon and its monophyly and internal relationships are subjects of ongoing discussion.

Phylogeny and classification of eukarootides are unsettled. Analyses have placed related lineages in diverse positions within the eukaryotic tree, including fungal-like, amoeboid, and photosynthetic groups. Some researchers propose that eukarootides represents a functional guild rather than a single lineage, consisting of several distinct lineages that independently evolved root-colonization capabilities.

Morphology and life history within eukarootides are varied. Members range from unicellular to filamentous forms and are typically small, often well under 20 micrometers in diameter. They colonize root surfaces, the epidermis, or the cortical tissues and may develop interface structures that facilitate interaction with plant cells. Reproductive modes, when known, vary widely and include both asexual and sexual strategies.

Ecology and interactions with hosts are diverse. Eukarootides spp. inhabit the rhizosphere and endoroot spaces, frequently forming networks or interfaces with plant tissues. They can influence nutrient exchange, potentially affecting phosphorus or nitrogen availability, and may modulate plant hormone signaling. Interactions with other soil microbes shape outcomes, rendering effects on plant fitness context-dependent and sometimes variable.

Distribution and research status indicate that eukarootides has been detected in soils across temperate and tropical regions, including agricultural and natural ecosystems. Most evidence derives from environmental DNA and metagenomic approaches; cultured representatives are rare. Further work is needed to define robust criteria for delimitation, obtain isolates, and clarify ecological roles.