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Fairy ring disease affects epiphytic algal assemblages associated with the moss Sanionia uncinata (Hedw.) Loeske (Bryophyta) on King George Island, Antarctica

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Abstract

Since the nineteenth century, a ring-forming disease attacking Antarctic mosses has been reported. However, to date, only the effects on the mosses themselves are known. In this study, we used DNA metabarcoding to investigate the effects on the moss epiphytic algal community at different stages of disease progression. As the disease progressed, algal species richness decreased, although overall abundance was not significantly affected. Prasiolales appeared unaffected, whereas Ulotrichales were more sensitive. Trebouxiales dominated the advanced disease stage, suggesting a possible benefit from the disease, either through the elimination of competition or creation of new niches. Infection is responsible for moss death, leading to habitat loss for other organisms, but pathogenic effects on algae cannot be ruled out. Our data indicate that the disease not only impacts mosses but also other groups, potentially resulting in loss of Antarctic biodiversity. This study provides the first report of the disease effects on epiphytic algal communities of Antarctic bryophytes.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the Brazilian Antarctic Program (PROANTAR), the Brazilian Navy, Brazilian Congresswoman Jô Moraes, and Instituto de Ciências Biológicas at University of Brasilia for their support for this research.

Funding

This work is supported by CNPq, PROANTAR, INCT Criosfera 2. P. Convey is supported by NERC core funding to the British Antarctic Survey’s ‘Biodiversity, Evolution and Adaptation’ Team.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Botânica, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil

    Paulo E. A. S. Câmara & Micheline Carvalho-Silva

  2. Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso, Campus Alta Floresta, Alta Floresta, Brazil

    Pedro V. Eisenlohr

  3. Departamento de Microbiologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil

    Lívia C. Coelho & Luiz Henrique Rosa

  4. Centro Nacional de Conservação da Flora, Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro (CNCFlora/JBRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    Eduardo T. Amorim

  5. British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge, UK

    Peter Convey

  6. Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, South Africa

    Peter Convey

  7. Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil

    Otavio H. B. Pinto

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  1. Paulo E. A. S. Câmara
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Contributions

PEASC, LHR, LCC, PC, and MCS designed the study. PVE and ETA performed ecological analyses; OHBP and PEASC performed bioinformatics. PEASC, LHR, and MCS secured funds, and all authors worked on the text production. ETA produced the map.

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Correspondence to Paulo E. A. S. Câmara.

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Câmara, P.E.A.S., Eisenlohr, P.V., Coelho, L.C. et al. Fairy ring disease affects epiphytic algal assemblages associated with the moss Sanionia uncinata (Hedw.) Loeske (Bryophyta) on King George Island, Antarctica. Extremophiles 25, 501–512 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00792-021-01246-9

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