Diversity of endophytic fungi in Taxus species and their potential Relation with taxol biosynthesis

In the present study, the diversity of endophytic fungi in the twigs of three different Taxus species was analyzed. A total of 271 Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) were obtained, grouping into 2 phyla, 8 classes, 16 orders, 19 families, and 19 genera. A total of 271 OTUs representing 19 genera of fungi were detected in three library groups. Alpha and beta diversity analysis of the raw data suggested significant differences in endophytic fungi among different Taxus trees. Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were identified as the dominant phyla in the three Taxus trees. As common classes in all Taxus trees, Dothideomycetes and Eurotiomycetes might play an important role in the high latitude adaptability of Taxus trees. At the genus level, two low temperature and high-altitude adaptability-related fungi genus Alternaria and Davidiella were mainly identified in T. mairei and T. media, respectively. Secondary metabolism-related fungi genus Lophiostoma occupied a great proportion in T. cuspidate. Taking advantage of two previous published datasets, a Pearson correlation analysis was performed, predicting a number of taxol biosynthesis-related fungi genus. Our findings will provide a basis for advancing in the production and utilization of Taxus, and help to screen taxol production-related endophytic fungi.