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Host Specificity and Seasonal Variation in the Colonization of Tubakia sensu lato Associated with Evergreen Oak Species in Eastern Japan

  • Fungal Microbiology
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Abstract

Foliar fungal endophytes are ubiquitous and hyperdiverse, and tend to be host-specific among dominant forest tree species. The fungal genus Tubakia sensu lato is comprised of foliar pathogens and endophytes that exhibit host preference for Quercus and other Fagaceae species. To clarify interspecific differences in ecological characteristics among Tubakia species, we examined the endophyte communities of seven evergreen Quercus spp. at three sites in eastern Japan during summer and winter. Host tree species was the most significant factor affecting endophyte community composition. Tubakia species found at the study sites were divided into five specialists and three generalists according to their relative abundance in each host species and their host ranges. Specialists were dominant on their own host in summer, and their abundance declined in winter. To test the hypothesis that generalists are more widely adapted to their environment than specialists, we compared their spore germination rates at different temperatures. Spores of generalist Tubakia species were more tolerant of colder temperatures than were spores of specialist Tubakia species, supporting our hypothesis. Seasonal and site variations among Tubakia species were also consistent with our hypothesis. Host identity and ecology were significantly associated with endophyte community structure.

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Data Availability

Data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon request.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Dr. N. Matsushita of The University of Tokyo for assistance with sampling.

Funding

This work was supported by a Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) KAKENHI grant (no. JP16H06737).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Natural Environmental Science, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwa-no-ha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8563, Japan

    Emi Matsumura, Kenta Morinaga & Kenji Fukuda

  2. Department of Forest Science, Graduate School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan

    Emi Matsumura & Kenji Fukuda

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  1. Emi Matsumura
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  2. Kenta Morinaga
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  3. Kenji Fukuda
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Sample collection was performed by Kenta Morinaga. Laboratory work and data analyses were conducted by Kenta Morinaga and Emi Matsumura. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Kenta Morinaga and Emi Matsumura. Emi Matsumura and Kenji Fukuda reviewed and edited the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Emi Matsumura.

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Matsumura, E., Morinaga, K. & Fukuda, K. Host Specificity and Seasonal Variation in the Colonization of Tubakia sensu lato Associated with Evergreen Oak Species in Eastern Japan. Microb Ecol 86, 240–252 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-022-02067-9

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