Candida Pseudoglaebosa Ecology in Sarracenia Purpurea Pitcher Plants at Harvard Forest since 2021

Fungi and bacteria are common members of the microbiomes of carnivorous plants. In the pitcher plant Sarracenia purpurea these microorganisms enter carnivorous pitchers shortly after pitchers develop, and may be relevant for pitcher functioning. We are sampling pitchers repeatedly over several years to better understand the culturable diversity in this habitat, with a focus on the common pitcher yeast Candida pseudoglaebosa and fungi that have the potential to interact with it.
C. pseudoglaebosa dominates pitcher plants by arriving early in pitchers, and we are interested in how this yeast’s populations change over time and in response to other pitcher microorganisms. Between 2021 and 2023, we collected pitcher water from Tom Swamp in Harvard Forest and cultured 118 yeast and bacteria colonies from this water. We have found C. pseudoglaebosa and some other yeasts (Papiliotrema, Rhodotorula, and Sporidiobolus); microbial identification is ongoing. We are planning to investigate changes in C. pseudoglaebosa genetic diversity and changes in C. pseudoglaebosa interactions with other pitcher microorganisms over time.