All plants have a community of asymptomatic microbes inhabiting their tissue known as endophytes. Increasing evidence suggests that microbes are an extension of plant host phenotype and can ultimately help them adapt in response to stress, including drought. Additionally, stressful conditions may select for distinct endophyte taxa with specific roles mediating stress. Further understanding of how endophyte composition shifts in response to drought is an important avenue for identifying significant biotic interactions that may play a role in stress response to climate change and predicting species distribution shifts. Our overarching question asks if drought alters endophyte composition and diversity in the cut-leafed monkeyflower (Erythranthe laciniata). We sampled both roots and shoots of E. laciniata plants grown in native soil in laboratory controlled and drought conditions. Plant tissues were sampled at two time points in the plant life cycle to account for any shifts over time. All tissue was analyzed for bacterial and fungal taxa.
Results/Conclusions
We found strong differences in endophyte communities from above- and below-ground tissues, suggesting that root communities are more impacted by the effects of drought than shoot communities. Diversity and species richness are greater in the root communities than in the shoot, suggesting transmission of endophytes from their native soil. Indicator species analysis resulted in higher abundance of fungal communities known to inhabit arid rock ecosystems in the drought treatment.