Topological and metagenomic evidence for intensified bacterial-fungal
associations in mangrove root interior
Abstract
Plant roots host a repertoire of bacteria and fungi, whose ecological
interactions could improve their functions and plant performance.
However, potential interactions and underlying mechanisms remain largely
unknown in root-associated microbial communities at a continuous
fine-scale. We analyzed microbial intra- and inter-domain network
topologies, keystone taxa, and interaction-related genes across four
compartments (non-rhizosphere, rhizosphere, episphere and endosphere)
from a soil-mangrove root continuum, using amplicon and metagenome
sequencing technologies. We found that both intra- and inter-domain
networks displayed notable differences in the structure and topology
across four compartments. Compared to three peripheral compartments, the
endosphere was a distinctive compartment with more dense co-occurrences
in bacterial-fungal network than in bacterial or fungal network, which
could be related to three bacterial keystone taxa (Vibrio, Anaerolineae
and Desulfarculaceae) detected in the endosphere as they are known to
intensify inter-domain associations with fungi and stimulate biofilm
formation. Also, high abundances of genes involved in cell-cell
communications by quorum sensing (rhlI, lasI, pqsH and lasR) and aerobic
cobamide biosynthesis (cobG, cobF and cobA) were detected in the
endosphere. Our results reveal intensified bacterial-fungal associations
in the mangrove root endophytes, creating a distinct micro-environment
to promote a biofilm life-style.