Can leaf degrading enzymes provide evidence that endophytic fungi becoming saprobes?

Abstract

The diversity of endophytic and saprobic fungi from Magnolia liliifera leaves were observed and analyzed to establish relationships. Nine endophytes were morphologically and phylogenetically similar to the saprobes; Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Colletotrichum sp. 2, Corynespora cassiicola, Fusarium sp. 1, Guignardia mangiferae, Leptosphaeria sp., Phomopsis sp. 2, Phomopsis sp. 6, and Phomopsis sp. 10. The endophytes were found to produce the same degrading enzymes as their saprobic counterparts. The isoform of β-mannanase produced from each of endophyte and saprobe counterparts were similar. Fungal succession and enzyme production patterns during leaf decomposition were correlated. The occurrence of saprobes was found to be related to the enzymes that the fungi produce. The study provides further compelling evidence that endophytes can switch lifestyle to saprobes. © Kevin D. Hyde 2010.