Diversity and abundance variation of endophytic fungi in the island and continental populations of Epidendrum fulgens (Orchidaceae)

• Grant number: 23/17832-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2024
• End date: July 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Botany - Phytogeography
• Principal Investigator: Fábio Pinheiro
• Grantee: Giovana Narezi Trotta
• Supervisor: Salvatore Cozzolino
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Università degli Studi di Napoli Frederico II (UNINA), Italy
• Associated to the scholarship: 23/15411-8 - Variation in the diversity and abundance of endophytic and mycorrhizal fungi between island and continental populations of Epidendrum fulgens (Orchidaceae), BP.IC

Abstract

Most of land plants associate with fungi and their interactions constitute an important part of several ecosystem processes. The taxonomic composition and fungal diversity show spatiotemporal variation, changing over time and along environmental conditions. Variations in fungal communities associated with orchids may impact their abundance, distribution, and coexistence with other species in the environment. Depending on the conditions of where a population is, the same orchid species may be colonized by different mycorrhizal and endophytic fungi in distinct habitats. Epidendrum fulgens (Orchidaceae) has populations that inhabit locations with different environmental conditions, impacting both their morphology and genetics. Thus, the objective of this project is to analyze the effects of island geographic isolation and different environmental conditions on the diversity and population composition of endophytic fungi of E. fulgens, which occupies restingas on the mainland and rocky outcrops in the Alcatrazes Archipelago (SP). Our hypotheses are: 1) The fungal diversity in the population from Alcatrazes Island is lower than in continental populations and 2) The populations of fungi colonizing orchids on Alcatrazes Island are distinct from the continental ones, due to different environmental conditions. Through this project, it will be possible to elucidate some of the mechanisms operating in ongoing speciation processes, focusing on the factors that contribute to the generation of diversity found in naturally fragmented environments, such as marine islands. Through this understanding, tools can be created for conservation and restoration practices, essential for the current scenario of climate change and anthropic changes, whose impact is significant in rich regions such as the Neotropics.