Mycobiome of Fraxinus excelsior With Different Phenotypic Susceptibility to Ash Dieback

For the last two decades, large-scale population decline of European ash ( Fraxinus excelsior) has occurred in Europe because introduction alien fungal pathogen, Hymenoscyphus fraxineus , from East Asia. Since is a keystone species having critical importance for biodiversity, and only small percentage appears to show some tolerance against loss trees means that other associated organisms, especially those with high or obligate associations ash, are at risk further declines. In this study, we used throughput DNA sequencing multivariate analysis characterize: (i) mycobiome aerial tissues (i.e., leaf, bark, xylem) showing different phenotypic response dieback, (ii) temporal variation communities across growing season, (iii) similarity community structure between common may serve as an ecological niche substitute microfungi. Results showed differed among three tissue types, susceptibility classes, time sites. Trophic functional groups using FUNGuild tool indicated higher presence pathotrophic fungi leaves than bark xylem. The share increased along gradient low disease both xylem tissue, while proportion symbiotrophic correspondingly decreased types. Neighboring, alternative host did not all found however, most microfungi uniquely study generalists strictly specific. progressive disappearance on landscape imposes extinction Red-listed macrofungal species, breeding resistance dieback should help sustain important biodiversity ash. Microfungal diversity though be less prone such demise since ash-associated endophytes appear occur broad range species.