Host-specificity of moss-associated fungal communities in the Ny-Ålesund region (Svalbard, High Arctic) as revealed by amplicon pyrosequencing

Fungal communities play a significant role in regulating ecological processes in the Arctic tundra. However, the extent to which the Arctic moss species and host types (moss, lichen and vascular plant) determine the richness, diversity, and composition of fungal communities at a local scale has not been quantitatively explored. Using 454 pyrosequencing in the current study, we characterized the fungal communities associated with six moss species (Andreaea rupestris, Bryum pseudotriquetrum, Hymenoloma crispulum, Polytrichastrum alpinum, Racomitrium lanu-ginosum, and Sanionia uncinata) and compared them with fungal communities associated with lichens and vascular plants in the Ny-angstrom lesund region (High Arctic). Host-species preference had greater explanatory power than geographical factors (longitude, latitude, elevation) in shaping moss-associated fungal communities. Fungal communities associated with mosses differed significantly from those associated with vascular plants and lichens, suggesting specificity of the fungal communities among three host types. Pairwise comparison analysis also indicated that the relative abundance of many taxonomic groups (e.g., Chaetothyriales, Leotiales, Catenulifera, Alatospora, and Toxicocladosporium) significantly differed between mosses and the other two host types. These results suggest host factors significantly affect the distribution of the fungal species associated with these moss species in the local-scale Arctic tundra.

Automated summary

Fungal communities associated with Arctic moss species are significantly influenced by host-species preference, with greater explanatory power than geographical factors. There are specific differences in fungal communities among mosses, vascular plants, and lichens in the local-scale Arctic tundra. Host factors significantly affect the distribution of fungal species associated with these moss species.