Fungal Communities of Scots Pine Needles from a Marginal, Understudied Population in Türkiye

Abstract

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), a keystone species in Eurasian forests, supports diverse fungal communities and thus contributes to forest health and ecosystem functions. The southern marginal populations of P. sylvestris in Türkiye, situated in more arid and warm conditions, offer a unique environment to explore fungal biodiversity. In this study, the authors investigated the fungal assemblages in living (green) and dead (senescent, fallen, and litter) Scots pine needles in Türkiye. Using a culture-based approach coupled with DNA sequencing, distinct fungal communities were identified across different needle types. Frequent isolates included well-known P. sylvestris associates, including Lophodermium pinastri, Sydowia polyspora, and Cyclaneusma minus. Novel findings, such as unidentified Eurotiomycete and Basidiomycete taxa, suggest potentially new species and hidden fungal diversity in this biogeographically important region. Additionally, this study reports the first records of Desmazierella acicola and Phacidium lacerum in Türkiye, further underscoring the region’s underexplored fungal biodiversity. Moreover, the biodiversity and community structure analysis revealed the intricate and complex nature of fungal colonization and succession, with significant variations between green, senescent, freshly fallen, and litter needles sampled concurrently. These findings provide new insights into the fungal communities of marginal, understudied Scots pine populations.