Yang Jiho, Woo Jung-Jae, Kim Wonyong, Oh Seung-Yoon, Hur Jae-Seoun
Korean Lichen Research Institute, Sunchon National University, 255 Jungang-ro, Suncheon, 57922, South Korea.
Department of Biology and Chemistry, Changwon National University, 20 Changwondaehak-ro, Changwon, 51140, South Korea.
Environ Microbiome. 2023 Oct 27;18(1):79. doi: 10.1186/s40793-023-00535-4.
Lichens are symbiotic organisms composed of a fungus and a photosynthetic partner, which are key ecological bioindicators due to their sensitivity to environmental changes. The endolichenic fungi (ELF) living inside lichen thalli, are an important but understudied component of playing crucial ecological roles such as nutrient cycling and protection against environmental stressors. Therefore ELF community investigation is vital for fostering sustainable ecosystems and leveraging their ecological benefits. Deciphering the intricate relationships between ELF and their lichen hosts, alongside the influence of environmental factors on these communities, presents a significant challenge in pinpointing the underlying drivers of community structure and diversity.
Our research demonstrated that locational factors were the main drivers of the ELF community structure, rather than host haplotype. Several climatic factors affected the diversity of the ELF community and contributed to the prevalence of different types of fungal residents within the ELF community. A decrease in isothermality was associated with a greater prevalence of pathotrophic and saprotrophic fungi within the ELF community, resulting in an overall increase in community diversity. By conducting a structural equation modeling analysis, we identified a robust link between climatic variables, fungal trophic mode abundance, and the species diversity of the ELF community.
This study's discoveries emphasize the significance of examining climate-related factors when investigating ELF's structure and function. The connection between fungi and climate is intricate and complex, and can be influenced by various other factors. Investigating the potential for ELF to adapt to changing climatic conditions, as well as the potential effects of changes in ELF communities on lichen function, would be valuable research areas. We anticipate that our research results will establish a basis for numerous future ELF research projects and have a significant impact on the field.
地衣是由一种真菌和一个光合伙伴组成的共生生物，由于它们对环境变化敏感，是关键的生态生物指示物。生活在地衣叶状体内部的内生真菌（ELF）是发挥营养循环和抵御环境压力等关键生态作用的重要但未被充分研究的组成部分。因此，对ELF群落的调查对于促进可持续生态系统和利用其生态效益至关重要。解读ELF与其地衣宿主之间的复杂关系，以及环境因素对这些群落的影响，在确定群落结构和多样性的潜在驱动因素方面面临重大挑战。
我们的研究表明，位置因素是ELF群落结构的主要驱动因素，而非宿主单倍型。若干气候因素影响了ELF群落的多样性，并促成了ELF群落内不同类型真菌居民的盛行。等温性的降低与ELF群落内致病营养型和腐生营养型真菌的更高盛行率相关，导致群落多样性总体增加。通过进行结构方程模型分析，我们确定了气候变量、真菌营养模式丰度与ELF群落物种多样性之间的紧密联系。
本研究的发现强调了在调查ELF的结构和功能时审视与气候相关因素的重要性。真菌与气候之间的联系错综复杂，且可能受到各种其他因素的影响。研究ELF适应不断变化的气候条件的潜力，以及ELF群落变化对其地衣功能的潜在影响，将是有价值的研究领域。我们预计我们的研究结果将为众多未来的ELF研究项目奠定基础，并对该领域产生重大影响。
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