Host and environmental determinants of microbial community structure in the marine phyllosphere.

ABSTRACT: Although seagrasses are economically and ecologically critical species, little is known about their blade surface microbial communities and how these communities relate to the plant host. To determine microbial community composition and diversity on seagrass blade surfaces and in the surrounding seawater,16S rRNA gene sequencing (iTag) was used for samples collected at five sites along a gradient of freshwater input in the northern Gulf of Mexico on three separate sampling dates. Additionally, seagrass surveys were performed and environmental parameters were measured to characterize host characteristics and the abiotic conditions at each site. Results showed that Thalassia testudinum (turtle grass) blades hosted unique microbial communities that were distinct in composition and diversity f

SUBMITTER: Vogel MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7332025 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature