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Diversity and Community Structure of Endophytic Fungi Isolated from the Brown Seaweed Sargassum thunbergii in Coastal Regions of Korea

Summary

Researchers collected brown seaweed samples from six coastal regions in Korea and identified 84 different fungal species living inside the seaweed tissues. These endophytic fungi help protect the seaweed by producing defensive chemicals and improving its ability to withstand environmental stress. The study found that water temperature and oxygen levels in the seawater significantly influence which types of fungi are present in each region, with the Tongyeong region hosting the most diverse fungal community.

Background

Sargassum thunbergii is a brown seaweed distributed across Northeast Asia that plays an important ecological role in coastal marine ecosystems. Endophytic fungi reside symbiotically within host tissues and produce secondary metabolites that provide chemical defense against herbivores and pathogens. Marine algae are considered significant reservoirs of marine endophytic fungi with the highest fungal diversity among aquatic organisms.

Objective

This study aimed to isolate and identify endophytic fungi from S. thunbergii across six coastal regions of Korea to examine their diversity and community structure. The research sought to identify environmental factors influencing the observed fungal community structures across different regions.

Results

A total of 154 fungal strains were isolated, resulting in 84 species across 43 genera. Species diversity was highest in Tongyeong (H′=3.273), followed by Pohang (H′=3.209). Principal Coordinates Analysis revealed that water temperature and dissolved oxygen are the primary environmental factors influencing regional fungal community structure.

Conclusion

The study successfully isolated diverse endophytic fungi from S. thunbergii with significant regional variation in community structure influenced by environmental factors. The findings demonstrate that S. thunbergii serves as a rich reservoir for endophytic fungi with potential ecological and industrial applications warranting further exploration.
  • Published in:Mycobiology,
  • Study Type:Observational Study,
  • Source: 10.1080/12298093.2024.2416730, PMID: 39649143
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