Endophytic bacterial diversity of an Antarctic moss, Sanionia uncinata

Abstract

We have chosen Sanionia uncinata (Hedw.) Loeske as a representative Antarctic moss species. To compare the patterns of endophytic bacterial community between the phyllosphere and the rhizosphere, we have divided the moss gametophore into the upper green part (UG) and the lower brown part (LB). At the phylum level, Proteobacteria accounted for the vast majority of reads with 65.6% of total reads. The distribution of the division of Alphaproteobacteria between the UG (3%) and the LB (22.15%) was remarkably different. Endophytic bacteria in the Antarctic moss was more diverse. Our result suggests that specificities of endophyte and moss relationship play an important role in establishing Antarctic moss communities.o the upper green part (UG) and the lower brown part (LB). At the phylum level, Proteobacteria accounted for the vast majority of reads with 65.6% of total reads. The distribution of the division of Alphaproteobacteria between the UG (3%) and the LB (22.15%) was remarkably different. Endophytic bacteria in the Antarctic moss was more diverse. Our result suggests that specificities of endophyte and moss relationship play an important role in establishing Antarctic moss communities.