Examination of host-taxon, environment, and distance effects on leaf fungal endophytes in the dominant woody genus, Metrosideros, on OModified Letter Turned Commaahu

Fungal endophyte (FE) communities can be shaped by environmental conditions and/or host-plant affinities. HawaiModified Letter Turned Commai's landscape-dominant woody genus Metrosideros (Myrtaceae) comprises several vegetatively distinct taxa that are non-randomly distributed across environments, and their FE communities are poorly known. We examined the relative importance of Metrosideros taxon and environment (elevation) on FE communities on OModified Letter Turned Commaahu. ITS1 rDNA barcoding and sequencing of 113 trees detected a richness of 1,637 FEs representing 5 phyla, 223 genera, and 200 species. Variation in FE diversity was significantly explained by host taxon and site with considerable overlap in FE communities among taxa. FE communities did not vary between pubescent and glabrous taxa or across elevations, possibly due to the relatively narrow range of environmental conditions represented on OModified Letter Turned Commaahu relative to taller islands. A significant pattern of isolation by distance in FE composition was detected both among and within sites, consistent with restricted dispersal of FEs across the island.

Automated summary

The study revealed the influence of environmental conditions and host plants on FE communities of Metrosideros in Hawaii, indicating that FE diversity is influenced by host taxa and sites, with considerable overlap between different taxa. There was no variation in FE communities between pubescent and glabrous taxa or across elevations on the island, possibly due to the relatively narrow range of environmental conditions represented.