Unselective Transport of Phytopathogenic Fusarium Fungi from Litter and Soil by Ground-Dwelling Arthropods Links Semi-Natural and Agricultural Habitats.

Nadja Heitmann,Marina E H Müller,Michael Glemnitz,Klaus Birkhofer

doi:10.3390/microorganisms10020335

Abstract

The dispersal of propagules, such as fungal spores or seeds by actively moving animals, connects and shapes communities. The dispersal of plant pathogens by arthropods might be a crucial mechanism in the spread of several crop diseases. Ground-dwelling arthropods are potential linkers between fungal communities in semi-natural and agricultural habitats by transporting propagules of Fusarium fungi. We compared the Fusarium communities on the body surface of ground-dwelling arthropods with litter in semi-natural and soil in agricultural habitats with a focus on the Fusarium community. We found three relatively distinct Fusarium communities with moderate overlap. We detected a higher richness of Fusarium species on the body surface of arthropods compared to litter and soil communities. The results suggest that the Fusarium community on the body surface of arthropods relates to the composition observed in litter and soil with limited filtering mechanisms between communities. Ground-dwelling arthropods are relevant agents for the distribution of Fusarium and therefore link fungal communities in adjacent habitats.

Highlights

The dispersal of propagules, such as spores or seeds by actively moving vertebrates or invertebrates, shapes ecosystems and communities in different ways, which is defined by the mobile link concept [1]
It can enhance the spread of the pathogen and the disease development, shown for the kernel rot of maize (Zea mays L.) or Fusarium head blight (FHB) in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), or the laurel wilt disease of avocados (Persea americana Mill.) [2,3,4]
These results suggest that ground-dwelling arthropods frequently interact with fungi of different taxa and that fungal propagules stay viable on the body surface of the arthropods

Summary

Introduction

The dispersal of propagules, such as spores or seeds by actively moving vertebrates or invertebrates, shapes ecosystems and communities in different ways, which is defined by the mobile link concept [1]. By moving actively within semi-natural habitats and through spillover into adjacent arable habitats, animals can introduce species or genes. Such passive dispersal links fungal communities but may promote the spread of organisms that provide ecosystem disservices, such as phytopathogenic fungi. The dispersal of propagules from plant pathogens by arthropods might be a crucial mechanism for the spread of several crop diseases. It can enhance the spread of the pathogen and the disease development, shown for the kernel rot of maize (Zea mays L.) or Fusarium head blight (FHB) in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), or the laurel wilt disease of avocados (Persea americana Mill.) [2,3,4].

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Discussion

Conclusion