Chytrid fungi infecting Arctic microphytobenthic communities under varying salinity conditions.

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to investigate the presence and diversity of fungal parasites in Arctic coastal microphytobenthic communities. These communities represent a key component in the functioning of Arctic trophic food webs. Fungal parasites, particularly Chytridiomycota (chytrids), play significant roles by controlling microalgal bloom events, impacting genetic diversity, modifying microbial interactions, and accelerating nutrient and energy transfer to higher trophic levels. In the context of rapid Arctic warming and increased glacier meltwater, which significantly affects these communities, we used high-throughput sequencing to explore fungal community composition. Our results show that chytrids dominate fungal communities in Arctic benthic habitats and that the overall fungal diversity is p

SUBMITTER: Ilicic D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11519490 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature