The microbial ecology of flowers: an emerging frontier in phyllosphereresearch

Abstract

Though we are learning more about the diversity, dynamics, and importance of phyllosphere microbiota, we have only modest knowledge about the microorganisms that specifically inhabit flowers. Due to their ephemerality and exquisite anatomy, flowers provide unique habitats to microorganisms, including a range of distinct microscale niches. Here, we review the recent literature concerning community composition and diversity in the flower microbiota, the spatial and temporal community dynamics, and the interactions between flower microbes, their plant hosts, and pollinators. We conclude with future directions for improving our understanding of this emerging frontier in phyllosphere microbial ecology.

Keywords

anthosphere; plant microbiome; nectar; pollen; dispersal; succession.

Published in

Botany
2014, Volume: 92, number: 4
Publisher: CANADIAN SCIENCE PUBLISHING

UKÄ Subject classification

Microbiology
Ecology


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1139/cjb-2013-0166

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/109138