Diverse fungal communities associated with the roots of isoetid plants are structured by host plant identity. (June 2020) - Sudová, Radka
Abstract: We examined fungi associated with roots of isoetid plants collected from six Norwegian lakes. The composition of the diverse fungal communities was shaped mainly by host identity, while abiotic factors had negligible effects. The communities associated with roots of Subularia aquatica, Isoëtes echinospora and Isoëtes lacustris were dominated by Ascomycota, Chytridiomycota, and Basidiomycota while Glomeromycota were infrequent and the proportion of unidentified fungal taxa was relatively high. In contrast, Lobelia dortmanna and Littorella uniflora roots associated mainly with Glomeromycota, Ascomycota, and Basidiomycota. Chytridiomycota and unidentified fungi were rare. Glomeromycota comprised 39 phylotypes spanning nine families, with the second most abundant phylotype belonging to a yet undescribed sister lineage to the family Archaeosporaceae, repeatedly reported from aquatic environments. Our results indicate that fungal communities in roots of aquatic plants might be diverse as in terrestrial plants, and that they comprise a high proportion of yet undescribed taxa. Highlights: Roots of submerged isoetids were inhabited by diverse fungal communities. Fungal communities associated with isoetids were mainly shaped by host identity. Unidentified taxa were more abundant than is usual in terrestrial environments. Isoëtes roots associated mainly with Ascomycota and Chytridiomycota. Glomeromycota and Ascomycota dominated in Lobelia and Littorella roots.