Environmental factors affect the distribution of two Epichloe fungal endophyte species inhabiting a common host grove bluegrass (Poa alsodes).

ABSTRACT:

Aim

The endophyte Epichloë alsodes, with known insecticidal properties, is found in a majority of Poa alsodes populations across a latitudinal gradient from North Carolina to New York. A second endophyte, E. schardlii var. pennsylvanica, with known insect-deterring effects, is limited to a few populations in Pennsylvania. We explored whether such disparate differences in distributions could be explained by selection from biotic and abiotic environmental factors.

Location

Along the Appalachian Mountains from North Carolina to New York, USA.

Taxon

Fungi.

Methods

Studied correlations of infection frequencies with abiotic and biotic environmental factors. Checked endophyte vertical transmission rates and effects on overwintering survival

SUBMITTER: Shymanovich T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6580270 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature