A Survey of Bacteria and Fungi Associated with Leaves, Rhizophylls, and Vesicles of the Carnivorous Plant Genlisea hispidula (Lentibulariaceae)

Abstract

Carnivorous plants capture, digest, and absorb prey via specialized structures such as bladders, pitchers, and other modified leaf traps. Studies have shown that not all carnivorous plants produce digestive enzymes; instead, some species rely on microbes living within their traps to produce the necessary enzymes required for prey digestion. Therefore, this study investigated the microbial community (bacteria and fungi) associated with Genlisea hispidula, a rare carnivorous species. Photosynthetic leaves, rhizophylls, and vesicles were processed after either being cleaned and rinsed in sterile water or after being surface sterilized. Tissues were ground in sterile water, serially diluted, lawn plated onto potato dextrose agar, and incubated in darkness for 24 h at 18–23 °C. Axenic cultures were obtained. Identity was determined via molecular sequence similarity of the full bacterial 16S rDNA gene or fungal ITS barcode regions. In total, 48 bacterial species and 29 fungal species were isolated, with Acidocella facilis and Burkholderia spp. being the most dominant isolated bacteria, and Trichomonascus vanleenenianus and Saitozyma spp. being the most dominant isolated fungi. Microbial diversity was greatest on photosynthetic leaves, while the vesicles had the lowest microbial diversity. This study is important because microbial communities play vital roles in maintaining host health and may be required when considering conservation.