| Abstract Detail
Biogeography Baldassari, Dylan [1], Osmundson, Todd [2], Cathy, Cripps [3], Tom, Volk [2]. Endophytic fungal diversity in whitebark pine: links between species assemblage, biogeography, and blister rust occurrence. In recent years, studies examining the biogeography of microbes have largely shown that microbial assemblages are affected by habitat size and isolation similar to macro-organisms; however, there is still debate about the degree of importance and scale at which these biogeographic controls are relevant. In this study, we examined the foliar endophytic fungal assemblages of whitebark pine, a threatened keystone species in subalpine and treeline forests in the northern Rocky Mountains. We used high-throughput DNA sequencing to illuminate the occurrence and diversity of endophyte species across gradients of habitat size, isolation, elevation, and severity of white pine blister rust infection. We expect endophytic species richness to be a function of habitat size and isolation, and will test the hypothesis that endophytic species-area slopes resemble those previously determined for ectomycorrhizal fungi. Differences between endophyte communities of trees resistant and susceptible to white pine blister rust may guide discovery of biocontrols against this invasive and destructive fungal pathogen.
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1 - University of Wisconsin La Crosse, Biology, 817 5th Ave S, La Crosse, WI, 54601, United States
2 - University of Wisconsin La Crosse, 1725 State St, La Crosse, WI, 54601, United States
3 - Montana State University, Plant Sciences & Plant Pathology, P.O. Box 173150, Bozeman, MT, 59717-3150, USA
Keywords:
island biology
conservation
Pine
Rust Fungi
foliar fungal endophyte
Endophytes
Spruce
bass-becking
biodiversity
whitebark
keystone species
endangered species
invasive species
fungi
Dispersal
species distribution.
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: BIOGIII, BIOGEOGRAPHY III
Location: Virtual/Virtual
Date: Wednesday, July 21st, 2021
Time: 3:00 PM(EDT)
Number: BIOGIII001
Abstract ID:969
Candidate for Awards:None Canceled |
