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Comparative Analysis of the Mycobiomes of Two Terrestrial Isopods, Armadillidium vulgare and Spherillo obscurus

Summary

This study compared the fungal communities living on two species of pill bugs found on Korean islands. Researchers discovered that one species, Spherillo obscurus, harbors a much more diverse and varied fungal community than the other species, Armadillidium vulgare, which is dominated by a single fungal genus. Interestingly, the type of isopod species was far more important in determining which fungi lived on them than the geographic location where they were found.

Background

Terrestrial isopods are key decomposers in soil ecosystems that harbor diverse microbial communities. While previous studies have characterized fungal communities in some isopod species, specific mycobiome composition of terrestrial isopods remains poorly understood, particularly for island-dwelling populations.

Objective

To investigate and compare the fungal communities associated with two terrestrial isopods, Armadillidium vulgare and Spherillo obscurus, co-occurring in island habitats in South Korea, and to assess whether host species and geographic origin influence fungal diversity patterns.

Results

A total of 252 OTUs were identified, with S. obscurus harboring significantly higher fungal diversity and phylogenetic richness than A. vulgare. S. obscurus exhibited Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and Mortierellomycota, while A. vulgare was dominated by Mycosphaerella. Host identity explained approximately 49.6% of fungal community variation, significantly outweighing geographic location as a driver of mycobiome composition.

Conclusion

Host species identity strongly influences fungal community assembly in terrestrial isopods, with S. obscurus supporting more diverse ecological niches for fungal colonization than A. vulgare. These findings provide novel insights into host-fungus interactions and symbiotic mycobiomes in soil macroinvertebrates, suggesting that intrinsic host factors play a more significant role than environmental geography.
  • Published in:Mycobiology,
  • Study Type:Comparative Metabarcoding Study,
  • Source: 10.1080/12298093.2025.2524925; PMID: 40606408
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