Trait Differentiation within the Fungus-Feeding (Mycophagous) Bacterial Genus Collimonas.

ABSTRACT: The genus Collimonas consists of facultative, fungus-feeding (mycophagous) bacteria. To date, 3 species (C. fungivorans, C. pratensis and C. arenae) have been described and over 100 strains have been isolated from different habitats. Functional traits of Collimonas bacteria that are potentially involved in interactions with soil fungi mostly negatively (fungal inhibition e.g.), but also positively (mineral weathering e.g.), affect fungal fitness. We hypothesized that variation in such traits between Collimonas strains leads to different mycophagous bacterial feeding patterns. We investigated a) whether phylogenetically closely related Collimonas strains possess similar traits, b) how far phylogenetic resolution influences the detection of phylogenetic signal (possession of similar traits b

SUBMITTER: Ballhausen MB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4911057 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature