root-associated microbes on invasive maples

In this study, we examined the community composition of three microbial groups (bacteria, fungi and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF)) on the roots of the invasive Norway maple and native sugar maple. We showed that the bacterial and fungal communities varied between the two species, but no differences were found with AMF. Given that plant-associated microbial communities can affect host fitness and function in many ways; the observed differences suggest a possibility that biotic interactions can influence the dynamics between native and invasive species.

本研究针对入侵种挪威枫（Norway maple）与本土种糖枫（sugar maple）的根系，探究了三类微生物类群——细菌、真菌以及丛枝菌根真菌（arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi，AMF）的群落组成。研究结果表明，两种宿主植物的细菌与真菌群落结构存在显著差异，但丛枝菌根真菌群落未观测到类似差异。鉴于植物共生微生物群落可通过多种途径影响宿主的适合度与功能，本次发现的群落差异提示，生物相互作用或可调控本土与入侵植物物种间的种群动态。