Foliar Fungal Endophyte Communities of Scottish Plantation Pines

The diversity of foliar fungal endophyte communities was examined in three economically and ecologically important pine species in Scotland: Scots pine, Corsican pine and lodgepole pine. Two plantation sites comprising all three species were selected in climatically contrasting parts of Scotland and were sampled in late spring by collecting healthy needles from two age classes. Surface sterilisation was carried out before obtaining cultures of fungal isolates, and representatives of common sterile morphotypes were sequenced to determine taxonomic placement. Overall relative proportions of the dominant taxa across sites, tree species and needle age classes were as follows: Anthostomella spp. (52%), Lophodermium seditiosum (17%) and Desmazierella acicola (7%). Many other less frequent taxa were recovered. The results agreed with previous endophyte studies in that the combined effects of site and tree species produced unique endophytic fungal assemblages. Phylogenetic analyses revealed potential sub-species variation associated with site in Anthostomella pinea. Our findings point to the potential naturalisation of European fungal endophytic species (e.g., Anthostomella spp.) in Scottish pine plantations, particularly in association with Corsican pine.