Xerotolerant foliar endophytic fungi of Populus euphratica from the Tarim River basin, Central China are conspecific to endophytic ITS phylotypes of Populus tremula from temperate Europe

摘要: Fungal research on non-lichenized taxa in xeric and other unusual habitats for fungi is comparatively scarce but constantly reveal an enormous ecological functional adaptiveness of these organisms to extremes. This holds true the topmost forest canopies as well marine, arctic, antarctic or desert habitats. In present study dried leaves Populus euphratica from a continental area Central China were investigated endophytic 6 weeks after sampling by cultivation small leaf fragments. Thirty-five species, many them well-known extreme environments, delimitated few 58 isolates combined analysis morphotypes, micromorphology ITS sequences. Meta-analyses revealed pronounced conspecificity endophytes tremula leaves, significant differences foliar assemblages Pinus monticola Fagus sylvatica. The deduced high similarity communities both species compared with that suggests fungal phyllosphere show well-pronounced host preference, at least their stages. addition, it demonstrates leaving microhabitat might provide similar conditions such relative humidity, regardless surrounding climatic conditions. evolution extremotolerance be particular importance retaining competitiveness deciduous trees loss pathogenicity.