Leaf decomposing fungi influenceSaccharomyces paradoxusgrowth across carbon environments

Abstract

AbstractSaccharomyces paradoxusis a model organism in ecology and evolution. However, its metabolism in its native habitat remains mysterious: it is frequently found growing on leaf litter, a habitat with few carbon sources thatS. paradoxuscan metabolize. We hypothesized that leaf-decomposing fungi from the same habitat break down the cellulose in leaf litter extracellularly and release glucose, supportingS. paradoxusgrowth. We found that facilitation by leaf-decomposing fungi was possible on cellulose and inhibition was common on glucose, suggesting diverse interactions betweenS. paradoxusand other fungi that have the potential to supportS. paradoxusin nature.