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First report and diversity analysis of endophytic fungi associated with Ulva sp. from Iran

Summary

Researchers discovered seven species of fungi living inside Ulva seaweed collected from Iran’s coast. This is the first time these fungi have been found living in this type of seaweed in Iran. The fungi were identified using both microscopy and DNA analysis. These findings help us understand the hidden relationships between fungi and marine plants in our oceans.

Background

Endophytic fungi are diverse microorganisms that colonize plants symbiotically without causing overt infections. While numerous studies have focused on terrestrial plants, there are no prior reports of endophytes associated with algae in Iran. The southern coasts of Iran bordering the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman are recognized for their rich biological resources, particularly marine macroalgae.

Objective

This study aimed to isolate, identify, and analyze the diversity of endophytic fungi associated with Ulva sp. collected from the Bandar Abbas Fishery Coast in Iran, addressing a significant gap in understanding fungal-algal symbioses in Iranian marine ecosystems.

Results

The study identified 33 fungal isolates classified into 7 species across 6 genera: Alternaria, Aspergillus, Chaetomium, Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Syncephalastrum. Aspergillus was the most abundant genus (34% of isolates), while Alternaria and Syncephalastrum were least frequent (9% each). All identified species are reported for the first time as endophytes of Ulva sp. in Iran.

Conclusion

This study provides the first report of endophytic fungi associated with Ulva sp. in Iran, revealing 7 new host-fungus associations and expanding knowledge of fungal diversity in Iranian coastal ecosystems. The findings emphasize the importance of integrative approaches combining morphology and genomics in mycological research and highlight the need for further investigation of fungal-algal interactions in marine environments.
  • Published in:Scientific Reports,
  • Study Type:Observational Study,
  • Source: PMID: 41174113, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-22071-6
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