RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Maternal effects and environmental filtering shape seed fungal communities in oak trees
JF bioRxiv
FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
SP 691121
DO 10.1101/691121
A1 Fort, Tania
A1 Pauvert, Charlie
A1 Zanne, Amy E.
A1 Ovaskainen, Otso
A1 Caignard, Thomas
A1 Barret, Matthieu
A1 Compant, Stéphane
A1 Hampe, Arndt
A1 Delzon, Sylvain
A1 Vacher, Corinne
YR 2019
UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2019/07/03/691121.abstract
AB Trees, as foundation species, play a pivotal role in the species interaction networks that constitute forest ecosystems. From the seed stage, they interact with microbial communities that affect their growth, health and fitness. Despite their eco-evolutionary importance, the processes shaping seed microbial communities in natural forests have received little attention.To unravel these processes, we analyzed the microbial communities of seeds collected in populations of sessile oak (Quercus petraea) growing along elevation gradients. We focused on the fungal communities as this group includes seed pathogens. Ecological processes shaping the communities were quantified using joint species distribution models.Fungi were present in all seed tissues, including the embryo. Fungal communities differed significantly among oak populations along the elevation gradients, and among mother trees within the same population. These maternal effects remained significant after seed fall, despite colonization by fungal species on the ground. Associations between tree pathogens and their antagonists were detected in the seeds.Our results demonstrate that both maternal effects and environmental filtering shape seed microbial communities of sessile oak. They provide a starting point for future research aimed at identifying the seed extended phenotypic traits that influence seed dispersal and germination, and seedling survival and growth across environments.