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Increasing prevalence of conifer needle pathogens globally have prompted further studies on pathogen identification and a better understanding of phylogenetic relationships among needle pathogens. Several Lophodermella species can be aggressive pathogens causing needle cast in natural pine forests in the USA and Europe. However, their relationships with other Rhytismataceae species have historically been based on similarities of only limited phenotypic characters. Currently, no molecular studies have been completed to elucidate their relationships with other Lophodermella needle pathogens. This study collected and sequenced three gene loci, namely: internal transcribed spacer, large ribosomal subunit, and translation elongation factor 1-alpha, from five Lophodermella needle pathogens from North America (L. arcuata, L. concolor, L. montivaga) and Europe (L. conjuncta and L. sulcigena) to distinguish phylogeny within Rhytismatacaeae, including Lophophacidium dooksii. Phylogenetic analyses of the three loci revealed that all but L. conjuncta that were sampled in this study consistently clustered in a well-supported clade within Rhytismataceae. The multi-gene phylogeny also confirmed consistent nesting of L. dooksii, a needle pathogen of Pinus strobus, within the clade. Potential synapomorphic characters such as ascomata position and ascospore shape for the distinct clade were also explored. Further, a rhytismataceous species on P. flexilis that was morphologically identified as L. arcuata was found to be unique based on the sequences at the three loci. This study suggests a potential wider range of host species within the genus and the need for genetic characterization of other Lophodermella and Lophophacidium species to provide a higher phylogenetic resolution.

Profiling the host–mycobiota interactions in healthy vs. diseased forest ecosystems helps understand the dynamics of understudied yet increasingly important threats to forest health that are emerging due to climate change. We analyzed the structural and functional changes of the mycobiota and the responses of Pinus contorta in the Lophodermella needle cast pathosystem through metabarcoding and metatranscriptomics. When needles transitioned from asymptomatic to symptomatic, dysbiosis of the mycobiota occurred, but with an enrichment of Lophodermella pathogens. Many pathogenicity-related genes were highly expressed by the mycobiota at the necrotrophic phase, showing an active pathogen response that are absent in asymptomatic needles. This study also revealed that Lophodermella spp. are members of a healthy needle mycobiota that have latent lifestyles suggesting that other pine needle pathogens may have similar biology. Interestingly, Pinus contorta upregulated defense genes in healthy needles, indicating response to fungal recognition, while a variety of biotic and abiotic stresses genes were activated in diseased needles. Further investigation to elucidate the possible antagonistic interplay of other biotic members leading to disease progression and/or suppression is warranted. This study provides insights into microbial interactions in non-model pathosystems and contributes to the development of new forest management strategies against emerging latent pathogens.

This study covers the vegetation composition and diversity in two heavy metal sites with distinct climatic and edaphic environments in the Philippines, Zambales, and Surigao del Norte in the northern and southern regions, respectively, Tree density and basal area were higher in Zambales than in Surigao del Norte. Species diversity, however, was higher in Surigao del Norte site (H'=1.1071) than in Zambales, which may be attributed to high water and nutrient availability and unique geologic formations. Soil properties also varied, with higher organic matter concentration in Surigao del Norte. Twenty-one out of 35 taxonomic families in both sites were common in serpentine soils. Nine families were recorded to have a large number of individuals on both sites. A total of 11 species were known metallophytes of which four are Ni hyperaccumulators and seven are endemic to both sites. These Ni hyperaccumulators have a high potential for phytoremediation, phytostabilization, and rhizofiltration. However, due to the scarce information on Ni hyperaccumulators, conservation statuses of most of them are unknown. Agricultural interference, site destruction and excessive mining are some of the factors contributing to the diminishing fate of metallophytes. Thus, it calls for its prioritization in biodiversity conservation.

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Fungal endophytic communities in needles of field-grown Pinus flexilis previously inferred to carry major gene resistance (R) to white pine blister rust (WPBR) or to lack it (S) were surveyed to identify unique microbes that may be recruited by WPBR-resistant genotypes. Resistant and susceptible trees were sampled in each of 11 P. flexilis populations for a total of 50 trees sampled. Through next-generation sequencing, this study showed a diverse needle mycobiota in P. flexilis, of which many remain unknown, regardless of the presence or absence of the WPBR resistance gene, Cr4. Ascomycota dominated the mycobiota (88.9%) followed by Basidiomycota (4.4%) and Chytridiomycota (0.03%), and the remaining 6.7% were unclassified. Shared ( n = 105) and unique ( n = 48 in R and n = 49 in S) fungal taxa, including differentially abundant operational taxonomic units, were identified that could provide insights into core mycobiota and host genotype-specific fungal groups. Marginal variation of the fungal diversity and structure was observed between host genotypes, which indicates that neither Cr4 nor the physiological differences associated with the presence or absence of the gene affects mycobiota recruitment. Instead, other parameters, including host size (diameter at breast height) and site elevation, significantly influenced the variability of the composition and structure of the fungal endophytic community. Further investigations are needed to understand the relationship of unique or differentially abundant taxa with one genotype or the other, and to determine the role of the needle mycobiota in WPBR disease development in natural stands of P. flexilis.

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