Spatial and temporal differences in the community structure of endophytic fungi in the carnivorous plant Pinguicula moranensis (Lentibulariaceae)

Abstract

According to our hypothesis, temporal heterogeneity due to seasonality (summer rosette vs. winter rosette) instead of spatial heterogeneity, showed higher influence on both the community and the infection rate of endophytes present in the carnivorous plant Pinguicula moranensis . In addition, the infection rate of endophytic fungi isolated from roots was higher than that observed in leaves although the endophytic community was similar between both tissues. Overall, we isolated endophytic fungi members of Dothideomycetes, Leotimocyetes, Eurotiomycetes and Sordariomycetes. P. moranensis harbors at least 10 genera, seven of them ( Astrocystis sp., Bipolaris sp., Cercospora sp., Coniochaeta sp., Ijuhya sp., Neomollisia sp. and Ochroconis sp.) reported for the first time in carnivorous plants. We advanced some implications about the role that these endophytes could be playing in this carnivorous plant, illustrating a certain level of specificity in the endophytic community of fungi present in leaves and roots. • Environmental heterogeneity shapes ecological interactions. • Interaction between carnivorous plants and endophytic fungi has been neglected. • We evaluated the community structure of endophytic fungi in a carnivorous plant. • We reported some endophytic fungi for the first time in carnivorous plants. • Temporal and no spatial heterogeneity affected composition of endophytic fungi.