Foliar fungal endophytes associated with Cornus (dogwood) species in Japan and North America
S. J. MILLER (1), H. Masuya (2), J. Luo (1), N. Zhang (1). (1) Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, U.S.A.; (2) Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, Matsunosato, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
Fungal endophytes are ubiquitous in nature, yet their diversity and ecology remain poorly understood. <i>Cornus</i> species (dogwoods) are common ornamental trees and are important components of natural forest ecosystems. In this study we analyzed the year-to-year diversity between fungal endophytes associated with <i>Cornus</i> species in North America and Japan. Samples were collected in 2010 and 2012 from the same areas. In 2010, 258 out of 940 surface-disinfected leaf tissue segments produced mycelium. A total of 121 distinct OTUs were revealed based on the DNA sequence data from the ITS and partial LSU rDNA. Ascomycota represented the majority of taxa discovered, but Basidiomycota was also observed. The dominant orders for N. America and Japan in 2010 were Diaporthales, Xylariales, and Eurotiales. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) indicated that N. American and Japan fungal communities are similar in composition. In 2012, a total of 234 of 930 surface-disinfected leaf tissue segments produced mycelium which represents 107 OTUs. Diaporthales and Glomerellales were found to be the dominant orders in 2012.
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