Glomerospores of this species are globose to subglobose, small (less than 60 µm diam), pale yellow to golden yellow and usually formed in sporocarps; presence of a peridium has been reported but is is not common. Glomus microcarpum is the type species of Glomus and was described by Tul. & C. Tul., in 1844.

Due to the several records worldwide, we suggest this species to be categorized as Least Concern (LC).

This species has a worldwide distribution, with records in more than 20 countries in different continents (North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania).

It is believed that with more studies in different habitats, this species will increase its occurrence number.

In Brazil, this species is registered in different biomes, such as Amazon rainforest, Cerrado, Atlantic rainforest and Caatinga

As mandatory symbionts, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi pass a part of the life cycle associated with a host (plant). Thus, the main threats related to these fungi are the loss of vegetation and soil disturbances.

Soil microorganisms, especially arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, receive little attention in the field of conservation biology, although they play a crucial role in the production of fundamental ecosystem services, such as fertility, soil formation and maintenance, nutrient cycling and plant community dynamics , among others. For the conservation of these fungi, in addition to the soil, it is also necessary to preserve associated hosts.

In a future scenario, it is important to develop an information system that can predict the degree to which plants depend on mycorrhizal fungi and the effects of this association for both symbionts. In this perspective, understanding more about the evolutionary history and ecological aspects of these fungi, can help to understand the variation in functional attributes between species and even predict the result of interactions between the fungus and the host.

MAIA, Leonor Costa et al. Species diversity of Glomeromycota in Brazilian biomes. Sydowia, v. 72, p. 181-205, 2020.
http://www.zor.zut.edu.pl/Glomeromycota/Glomus microcarpum.html