Climate and seasonality drive the richness and composition of tropical fungal endophytes at a landscape scale

AbstractUnderstanding how species-rich communities persist is a foundational question in ecology. In tropical forests, tree diversity is structured by edaphic factors, climate, and biotic interactions, with seasonality playing an essential role at landscape scales: wetter and less seasonal forests typically harbor higher tree diversity than more seasonal forests. We posited that the abiotic factors shaping tree diversity extend to hyperdiverse symbionts in leaves—fungal endophytes—that influence plant health, function, and resilience to stress. Through surveys in forests across Panama that considered climate, seasonality, and covarying biotic factors, we demonstrate that endophyte richness varies negatively with temperature seasonality. Endophyte community structure and taxonomic composition reflect both temperature seasonality and climate (mean annual temperature and precipitation). Overall our findings highlight the vital role of climate-related factors in shaping the hyperdiversity of these important and little-known symbionts of the trees that, in turn, form the foundations of tropical forest biodiversity.

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The origins and Paleogene history of modern plant communities

The Paleontological Society Special Publications ◽

10.1017/s2475262200006730 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

pp. 113-113

Author(s):

David R. Greenwood ◽

Margaret E. Collinson

Keyword(s):

Plant Communities ◽

Large Scale ◽

Middle Eocene ◽

Abiotic Factors ◽

Biotic Interactions ◽

Middle Latitude ◽

Biogeographic Patterns ◽

Middle Latitudes ◽

History Of ◽

Temperature Seasonality

Modern plant communities define global Biomes by their structure, floristics and physiognomy. The modern distribution and character of plant communities is determined by climate, large-scale biotic interactions and abiotic factors such as fire and other disturbance history. Biogeographic patterns also reflect past continental movements, dispersal, extinction and speciation events. The past distribution and history of the principal modern plant communities can be traced using key taxa and associations of taxa, and the foliar physiognomy of the biomal communities.The antecedents of many modern types of vegetation can be found in the mixed plant communities of the Cretaceous and earlier. Late Cretaceous angiosperm radiation and K/T extinctions substantially altered these plant communities, setting preconditions for subsequent evolution and the floristic character of terrestrial plant communities. Paleocene vegetation appears intermediate, and the main phase of floristic modernisation appears to have been during the Eocene.Tropical rainforests and deciduous forests of a modern aspect are well represented in Eocene macrofloras at middle and higher palaeolatitudes respectively, in North America, Europe and Australia. These forests partly reflected present day phytogeographic provincialism but many taxa exhibited past cosmopolitanism, having much reduced modern ranges. The presence of “tropical” forests at middle latitudes, well outside their present day latitudinal extent, reflects the Early to Middle Eocene thermal maximum with widespread equable, humid and subhumid climates. At higher latitudes macrofloras reflect deciduous angiosperm vegetation of lower diversity than the middle latitude rainforests. Deciduousness in these forests was probably an adaptation to seasonal darkness beyond the palaeo-Arctic circle, but at intermediate latitudes may have reflected adaptation to greater temperature seasonality. Coniferous forests are represented in Eocene macrofloras from high latitudes and from uplands in the middle latitudes. Grasses are present in some Eocene macrofloras, but grasslands do not appear in the fossil record until the Oligocene or later. They seem to be a response to climatic deterioration and an evolving mammalian biota. Forested and herbaceous wetland communities may have been more diverse and latitudinally more uniform in the Palaeogene than today, but are otherwise quite modern. Post Oligocene history of most plant communities is that of climate altered distribution and floristic extinction.

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Tree Diversity Reduces Fungal Endophyte Richness and Diversity in a Large-Scale Temperate Forest Experiment

Diversity ◽

10.3390/d11120234 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (12) ◽

pp. 234 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Eric A. Griffin ◽

Joshua G. Harrison ◽

Melissa K. McCormick ◽

Karin T. Burghardt ◽

John D. Parker

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Diversity ◽

Large Scale ◽

High Throughput Sequencing ◽

Spatial Scales ◽

Fungal Endophytes ◽

Fungal Endophyte ◽

Tree Diversity ◽

Trophic Levels ◽

Community Diversity ◽

And Function

Although decades of research have typically demonstrated a positive correlation between biodiversity of primary producers and associated trophic levels, the ecological drivers of this association are poorly understood. Recent evidence suggests that the plant microbiome, or the fungi and bacteria found on and inside plant hosts, may be cryptic yet important drivers of important processes, including primary production and trophic interactions. Here, using high-throughput sequencing, we characterized foliar fungal community diversity, composition, and function from 15 broadleaved tree species (N = 545) in a recently established, large-scale temperate tree diversity experiment using over 17,000 seedlings. Specifically, we tested whether increases in tree richness and phylogenetic diversity would increase fungal endophyte diversity (the “Diversity Begets Diversity” hypothesis), as well as alter community composition (the “Tree Diversity–Endophyte Community” hypothesis) and function (the “Tree Diversity–Endophyte Function” hypothesis) at different spatial scales. We demonstrated that increasing tree richness and phylogenetic diversity decreased fungal species and functional guild richness and diversity, including pathogens, saprotrophs, and parasites, within the first three years of a forest diversity experiment. These patterns were consistent at the neighborhood and tree plot scale. Our results suggest that fungal endophytes, unlike other trophic levels (e.g., herbivores as well as epiphytic bacteria), respond negatively to increasing plant diversity.

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Identifying appropriate sampling and modelling approaches for analysing distributional patterns of Antarctic terrestrial arthropods along the Victoria Land latitudinal gradient

Antarctic Science ◽

10.1017/s095410201000043x ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 22 (6) ◽

pp. 742-748 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Tancredi Caruso ◽

Ian D. Hogg ◽

Roberto Bargagli

Keyword(s):

Abiotic Factors ◽

Relevant Literature ◽

Biotic Interactions ◽

Terrestrial Ecosystems ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Trophic Levels ◽

Terrestrial Arthropods ◽

Victoria Land ◽

Dispersal Capability ◽

Modelling Techniques

AbstractBiotic communities in Antarctic terrestrial ecosystems are relatively simple and often lack higher trophic levels (e.g. predators); thus, it is often assumed that species’ distributions are mainly affected by abiotic factors such as climatic conditions, which change with increasing latitude, altitude and/or distance from the coast. However, it is becoming increasingly apparent that factors other than geographical gradients affect the distribution of organisms with low dispersal capability such as the terrestrial arthropods. In Victoria Land (East Antarctica) the distribution of springtail (Collembola) and mite (Acari) species vary at scales that range from a few square centimetres to regional and continental. Different species show different scales of variation that relate to factors such as local geological and glaciological history, and biotic interactions, but only weakly with latitudinal/altitudinal gradients. Here, we review the relevant literature and outline more appropriate sampling designs as well as suitable modelling techniques (e.g. linear mixed models and eigenvector mapping), that will more adequately address and identify the range of factors responsible for the distribution of terrestrial arthropods in Antarctica.

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Environmental–biomechanical reciprocity and the evolution of plant material properties

Journal of Experimental Botany ◽

10.1093/jxb/erab411 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Karl J Niklas ◽

Frank W Telewski

Keyword(s):

Physical Environment ◽

Structural Changes ◽

Abiotic Factors ◽

Biotic Interactions ◽

Cellular Solids ◽

Form And Function ◽

Evolutionary Innovation ◽

Plant Form ◽

And Function ◽

Abiotic Environmental Factors

Abstract Abiotic–biotic interactions have shaped organic evolution since life first began. Abiotic factors influence growth, survival, and reproductive success, whereas biotic responses to abiotic factors have changed the physical environment (and indeed created new environments). This reciprocity is well illustrated by land plants who begin and end their existence in the same location while growing in size over the course of years or even millennia, during which environment factors change over many orders of magnitude. A biomechanical, ecological, and evolutionary perspective reveals that plants are (i) composed of materials (cells and tissues) that function as cellular solids (i.e. materials composed of one or more solid and fluid phases); (ii) that have evolved greater rigidity (as a consequence of chemical and structural changes in their solid phases); (iii) allowing for increases in body size and (iv) permitting acclimation to more physiologically and ecologically diverse and challenging habitats; which (v) have profoundly altered biotic as well as abiotic environmental factors (e.g. the creation of soils, carbon sequestration, and water cycles). A critical component of this evolutionary innovation is the extent to which mechanical perturbations have shaped plant form and function and how form and function have shaped ecological dynamics over the course of evolution.

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Spatial Patterns and Drivers of Soil Chemical Properties in a Typical Hickory Plantation

10.21203/rs.3.rs-845777/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Mengjiao Sun ◽

Enqing Hou ◽

Jiasen Wu ◽

Jianqin Huang ◽

Xingzhao Huang

Keyword(s):

Random Forest ◽

Soil Nutrients ◽

Spatial Patterns ◽

Abiotic Factors ◽

Soil Nutrient ◽

Parent Material ◽

Mean Annual Precipitation ◽

Nutrient Concentrations ◽

Available Phosphorus ◽

Mean Annual Temperature

Abstract Background: Soil nutrients play critical roles in regulating and improving the sustainable development of economic forests. Consequently, an elucidation of the spatial patterns and drivers of soil nutrients in these forests is fundamental to their management. For this study, we collected 314 composite soils at a 0-30 cm depth from a typical hickory plantation in Lin 'an, Zhejiang Province, China. We determined the concentrations of macronutrients (i.e., soil organic carbon, hydrolyzed nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium) and micronutrients (i.e., iron, manganese, zinc, and copper.) of the soils. We employed random forest analysis to quantify the relative importance of soil-forming factors to predict the soil nutrient concentrations, which could then be extrapolated to the entire hickory region. Results: Random forest models explained 61%–88% of the variations in soil nutrient concentrations. The mean annual temperature and mean annual precipitation were the most important predictor of soil macronutrient and micronutrient concentrations. Moreover, parent material was another key predictor of soil available phosphorus and micronutrient concentrations. Mapping results demonstrated the importance of climate in controlling the spatial distribution of soil nutrient concentrations at finer scales, as well as the effect of parent material, topography, stand structure, and management measures of hickory plantations. Conclusions: Our study highlights the biotic factors, abiotic factors, and management factors control over soil macronutrient and micronutrient concentrations, which have significant implications for the sustainability of soil nutrients in forest plantations.

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Effects of Abiotic Factors on HIPV-Mediated Interactions between Plants and Parasitoids

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2015/342982 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-18 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Christine Becker ◽

Nicolas Desneux ◽

Lucie Monticelli ◽

Xavier Fernandez ◽

Thomas Michel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plant Volatiles ◽

Global Climate ◽

Abiotic Factors ◽

Biotic Interactions ◽

Green Leaf Volatiles ◽

Limited Attention ◽

Emission Rates ◽

Leaf Volatiles ◽

Parasitic Hymenoptera ◽

Growing Conditions

In contrast to constitutively emitted plant volatiles (PV), herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPV) are specifically emitted by plants when afflicted with herbivores. HIPV can be perceived by parasitoids and predators which parasitize or prey on the respective herbivores, including parasitic hymenoptera. HIPV act as signals and facilitate host/prey detection. They comprise a blend of compounds: main constituents are terpenoids and “green leaf volatiles.” Constitutive emission of PV is well known to be influenced by abiotic factors like temperature, light intensity, water, and nutrient availability. HIPV share biosynthetic pathways with constitutively emitted PV and might therefore likewise be affected by abiotic conditions. However, the effects of abiotic factors on HIPV-mediated biotic interactions have received only limited attention to date. HIPV being influenced by the plant’s growing conditions could have major implications for pest management. Quantitative and qualitative changes in HIPV blends may improve or impair biocontrol. Enhanced emission of HIPV may attract a larger number of natural enemies. Reduced emission rates or altered compositions, however, may render blends imperceptible to parasitoides and predators. Predicting the outcome of these changes is highly important for food production and for ecosystems affected by global climate change.

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First report on cyanobacterial flora from Masirah Island, Sultanate of Oman

Algologia ◽

10.15407/alg30.04.440 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (4) ◽

pp. 440-451

Author(s):

M. Shamina ◽

Keyword(s):

Environmental Conditions ◽

Food Industry ◽

Vital Role ◽

Taxonomic Composition ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Taxonomic Classification ◽

Biofuel Production ◽

Sultanate Of Oman ◽

First Report ◽

First Time

Cyanobacteria are organisms which play a vital role in various molecular and biotechnological aspects in food industry, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, neutraceuticals, biofuel production, etc., it is necessary to understand its adaptability to various environmental conditions. Furthermore it is equally important to discover new cyanobacterial taxa and with it occasional changes in taxonomic classification, thus the author set out to study cyanobacteria in extreme climatic conditions of desert, where temperatures are mostly above 45 oC. The taxonomic composition of cyanobacteria of Masirah Island, Sultanate of Oman, was studied for the first time. The studied samples were collected during the period of 2017–2019. The ten samples belonged to two orders: Oscillatoriales Schaffner and Synechococcales L.Hoffmann, Komárek & J.Kastovsky. All of them were filamentous non-heterocyst forms. Three species belonged to the genus Leptolyngbya Anagn. & Komárek, the genera Oscillatoria Vaucher ex Gomont and Lyngbya C.Agardh ex Gomont were represented by two species each, while the genera Pseudanabena Lauterborn, Planktolyngbya Anagn. & Komárek and Geitlerinema (Anagn. & Komárek) Anagn. were one species.

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Meiobenthos as indicator of gaseous hydrocarbons reservoirs existing under the seabed of the Black Sea

10.5194/egusphere-egu21-963 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Valentina Yanko ◽

Anna Kravchuk ◽

Irina Kulakova ◽

Tatiana Kondariuk

Keyword(s):

Black Sea ◽

Abiotic Factors ◽

Taxonomic Composition ◽

The Black Sea ◽

Northwestern Part ◽

Hydrocarbon Gases ◽

The Sustainable Development ◽

Dual Analysis ◽

Gaseous Hydrocarbons ◽

Physical And Chemical

<p>This <span>presentation</span> represents a case study that reviews research into the relationship between meiobenthos distribution and concentrations of hydrocarbon gases (HG), primarily methane, in the sediments of the northwestern part of the Black Sea, including gases released by mud volcanoes and gas seeps. Evidence forming the basis of this research comes from meiobenthos here represented by 29 species of benthic foraminifers, 7 species of ostracods, and 44 species of nematodes. The potential use of these meiobenthic organisms as indicators of gaseous hydrocarbons reservoirs existing under the seabed is evaluated according to two linked axes, namely the dual analysis of abiotic factors (physical and chemical parameters of the water column, gasmetrical, geochemical, lithological, and mineralogical properties of the sediments) and biotic characteristics (quantitative and taxonomic composition of foraminifers, nematodes, and ostracods). Studies of this kind have been directed toward developing interdisciplinary methods to improve the search for HG accumulations, especially methane, under the seabed. Development of such methods might have substantial socio-economic importance for the economy of Ukraine as well as that of other Black Sea countries, and such methods might also contribute to the sustainable development of Black Sea ecosystems.</p>

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Testing Seven Hypotheses to Determine What Explains the Current Planthopper (Fulgoridae) Geographical and Species Richness Patterns in China

Insects ◽

10.3390/insects11120892 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (12) ◽

pp. 892

Author(s):

Zheng-Xue Zhao ◽

Lin Yang ◽

Jian-Kun Long ◽

Zhi-Min Chang ◽

Zheng-Xiang Zhou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Large Scale ◽

Net Primary Productivity ◽

Model Averaging ◽

Ordinary Least Squares ◽

Environmental Variable ◽

Vital Role ◽

Mean Annual Temperature ◽

Spatial Error ◽

Richness Patterns

Although many hypotheses have been proposed to understand the mechanisms underlying large-scale richness patterns, the environmental determinants are still poorly understood, particularly in insects. Here, we tested the relative contributions of seven hypotheses previously proposed to explain planthopper richness patterns in China. The richness patterns were visualized at a 1° × 1° grid size, using 14,722 distribution records for 1335 planthoppers. We used ordinary least squares and spatial error simultaneous autoregressive models to examine the relationships between richness and single environmental variables and employed model averaging to assess the environmental variable relative roles. Species richness was unevenly distributed, with high species numbers occurring in the central and southern mountainous areas. The mean annual temperature change since the Last Glacial Maximum was the most important factor for richness patterns, followed by mean annual temperature and net primary productivity. Therefore, historical climate stability, ambient energy, and productivity hypotheses were supported strongly, but orogenic processes and geological isolation may also play a vital role.

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Effects of Environmental Stress on Primate Populations

Annual Review of Anthropology ◽

10.1146/annurev-anthro-102317-045949 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 47 (1) ◽

pp. 417-434 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Jason M. Kamilar ◽

Lydia Beaudrot

Keyword(s):

Environmental Stress ◽

Life History Traits ◽

Abiotic Factors ◽

Scale Up ◽

Biotic Interactions ◽

Camera Traps ◽

Ranging Behavior ◽

Temperature And Precipitation ◽

Macro Scale ◽

Physiological Demands

Environmental stress on primate populations can take many forms. Abiotic factors, such as temperature and precipitation, may directly influence the behavior of primates owing to physiological demands of thermoregulation or through indirect influences on vegetation that primates rely on for food. These effects can also scale up to the macro scale, impacting primate distributions and evolution. Primates also encounter stress during interactions within and between species (i.e., biotic interactions). For example, selective pressure from male-perpetrated infanticide can drive the development of female counterstrategies and can impact life-history traits. Predation on primates can modify group size, ranging behavior, and habitat use. Finally, humans have influenced primate populations for millennia. More recently, hunting, habitat disturbance, disease, and climate change have increased in frequency and severity with detrimental impacts on primate populations worldwide. These effects and recent evidence from camera traps emphasize the importance of maintaining protected areas for conserving primate populations.

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