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Leaves as islands for microbes.

L L Kinkel1, J H Andrews1, F M Berbee1

  • 1Department of Plant Pathology, Univeristy of Wisconsin, 53706, Madison, WI, USA.

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|March 18, 2017
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Fungal colonization of apple leaves reached an equilibrium number of species, demonstrating turnover but lacking a species-area relationship. This partially supports island biogeography theory for microbial communities.

Keywords:
FungiIsland biogeographyLeaf surfaceMicrobial ecologyPhylloplane

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Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Microbiology
  • Island Biogeography Theory

Background:

  • The equilibrium theory of island biogeography (ETIB) offers a model for understanding species colonization and extinction on isolated habitats.
  • Applying ETIB to microbial communities on ephemeral substrates like leaves presents unique ecological challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the applicability of the equilibrium theory of island biogeography to filamentous fungal colonization on apple leaves.
  • To determine if fungal communities on leaves exhibit equilibrium dynamics and a species-area relationship.

Main Methods:

  • Living apple leaves were surface-sterilized in situ using hydrogen peroxide to initiate observation.
  • Filamentous fungal colonization was monitored from its inception, with species numbers recorded over time.
  • Leaf area was measured, and species composition was analyzed for turnover at equilibrium.

Main Results:

  • Fungal species numbers per leaf fluctuated between 6 and 21 within the first two weeks.
  • An equilibrium of approximately 12 fungal species per leaf was reached by the third week.
  • Species composition showed turnover at equilibrium, but the equilibrium number of species was not correlated with leaf area.

Conclusions:

  • The observed equilibrium and turnover of fungal species on apple leaves align with key principles of island biogeography theory.
  • The absence of a species-area relationship contradicts a fundamental aspect of the classic island model, suggesting modifications are needed for microbial systems.