Environmental Heterogeneity and Host Genotype Jointly Shape Endophytic Bacterial Community Composition Associated with an Endemic Chinese <i>Sphagnum</i> Species.

ABSTRACT: Peat mosses of the genus Sphagnum are keystone species in peatland ecosystems and play critical roles in carbon sequestration, nitrogen fixation, and hydrological regulation. Indeed, these ecological functions are largely mediated by endophytic bacteria associated with Sphagnum. Here, five populations of the endemic Chinese moss species, S. multifibrosum, were sampled across southern China in peatland (PH) and rock habitats (RH). High-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA and nitrogenase (nifH) genes was applied to characterize overall endophytic bacterial diversity and diazotroph diversity associated with S. multifibrosum, respectively, alongside host microsatellite genotyping. Proteobacteria was the dominant endophytic bacterial phylum. The bacterial commun

SUBMITTER: Liu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12654153 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature