Canopy cover and leaf age affect colonization by tropical fungal endophytes: Ecological pattern and process inTheobroma cacao(Malvaceae)

• DOI: 10.1080/15572536.2004.11833083
• Publication Date: 2017-03-30T17:40:24Z
• Authors: A. Elizabeth Arnold; Edward Allen Herre
• Keywords: Endophyte; Epiphyte; Theobroma; Propagule

Fungal endophytes inhabit healthy tissues of all terrestrial plant taxa studied to date and are diverse abundant in leaves tropical woody angiosperms. Studies have demonstrated that location leaf age influence density endophyte infection forest trees. However, ecological factors underlying these observations not been explored detail. Here, we establish foliar a tree (Theobroma cacao, Malvaceae) transmitted horizontally endophyte-free seedlings can be produced for experimental manipulation by protecting aerial from surface wetting. At Barro Colorado Island, Panama, used transects determine the importance several (canopy cover, abundance epiphytic propagules, age, chemistry, toughness duration exposure viable air spora) shaping colonization endophytic fungi. Endophytes colonized T. cacao more rapidly beneath canopy than cleared sites, reflecting local propagules. The exposure, rather absolute influenced infection, whereas chemistry had no observed effect. isolated mature grew on media containing extracts other co-occurring species, suggesting interspecific differences assemblages. Together, data allow us identify patterns within this tree.