Abstract
Community persistence was investigated in the yeast assemblage inhabiting patches of necrotic stem tissue of the columnar cactus Stenocereus gummosus (pitaya agria). Two surveys, conducted in 1981 and 1996, were compared. The variation in species occurrence in a spatial hierarchy within neuroses, among plants within a location, and among locations, was persistent across the 15-yr time span. The core species had a community similarity coefficient of 0.75, and the rank of their variability was significantly correlated for the two surveys. The physiological potential of the yeasts was distributed in the same manner in 1996 and 1981. Likewise, the rank order of physiological potentials both within plant and between plants was significantly correlated. These results indicate a microbial community that persists regionally, even though individual necroses routinely experience extinction and colonization. The role of an insect vector, Drosophila mojavensis, in community persistence is discussed.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
