Effects of Bromelia pinguin (Bromeliaceae) on soil ecosystem function and fungal diversity in the lowland forests of Costa Rica

Abstract

BackgroundBromelia pinguin (Bromeliaceae) is a terrestrial bromeliad commonly found under forest stands throughout the Neotropics that has been shown to have antifungal activity in vitro. We have hypothesized that this bromeliad would also have an effect on the fungal populations in nearby soil by decreasing fungaldiversity and negatively impacting C and N cycle-related activities. A previous study in the lowland forest of Costa Rica showed the soil beneath these bromeliads had decreased fungal ITS DNA and differences in C and N levels compared to adjacent primary forest soils.ResultsIn this follow-up study, we found that the bromeliad soils had lower rates of C and N biomass development and lower phenol oxidase activity (suggesting less decreased fungal decomposition activity). The results of T-RFLP and cloning-based taxonomic analyses showed the community level diversity and abundance of fungal ITS DNA was less in bromeliad soils. Sequence analysis of fungal ITS DNA clones showed marked differences in fungal community structure between habitats of Basidiomycota (Tremellales, Agricales, Thelephorales), Ascomycota (Helotiales), and Zycomycota populations.ConclusionsThe data show there to be differences in the soil nutrient dynamics and fungal community structure and activity associated with these bromeliads, as compared to the adjacent primary forest. This suggests the possibility that the anti-fungal activity of the bromeliad extends into the soil. The bromeliad-dense regions of these primary forest habitats provide a unique natural micro-habitat within the forests and the opportunity to better identify the role of fungal communities in the C and N cycles in tropical soils.

Role of Terrestrial Bromeliads in Nutrient Cycling, Restinga da Marambaia, Brazil

“…The mineralization of N, P, Ca and Mg from bromeliads litter was slower than that observed for the trees litter fall, despite the relative higher nutrient concentrations in bromeliads biomass than in that of trees, in a Tropical Rain Forest in Costa Rica (Nadkarni & Matelson, 1992). This fact is due to the decreased activity of decomposing fungi in soil caused by the organic matter from bromeliads, according to results obtained for the terrestrial Bromelia pinguin L. in Lowland Tropical Forests in Costa Rica (Looby & Eaton, 2014).…”

Ecosystem services provided by bromeliad plants: A systematic review

“…Habitats formed by tank bromeliads have been shown to favor diversification and endemism of some groups, such as ostracods of genus Elpidium, carabid beetles of genus Platynus (Liebherr, 2005;Little & Hebert, 1996) and Copelatus and Aglymbus genera of diving beetles (Copelatinae) (Balke et al, 2008). Habitats formed by tank bromeliads have been shown to favor diversification and endemism of some groups, such as ostracods of genus Elpidium, carabid beetles of genus Platynus (Liebherr, 2005;Little & Hebert, 1996) and Copelatus and Aglymbus genera of diving beetles (Copelatinae) (Balke et al, 2008).…”

“…Bromeliads contribute to the genetic diversity of animals and plants they host by facilitating their allopatric speciation. Habitats formed by tank bromeliads have been shown to favor diversification and endemism of some groups, such as ostracods of genus Elpidium, carabid beetles of genus Platynus (Liebherr, 2005;Little & Hebert, 1996) and Copelatus and Aglymbus genera of diving beetles (Copelatinae) (Balke et al, 2008).…”

CARACTERIZACIÓN FITOQUÍMICA DEL EXTRACTO HIDROALCOHÓLICO DEL FRUTO DE Bromelia pinguin Y EVALUACIÓN DE SU ACTIVIDAD ANTIFÚNGICA FRENTE A UN HONGO AISLADO DEL FRUTO DE CACAO (Theobroma cacao L.) EN ESTADO DE PUDRICIÓN.

“…Estos resultados aunque alagadores no son del todo novedosos, pues no es la primera vez que se reporta actividad antifúngica para el fruto de B. pinguin. Ya en años anteriores se había descrito una significativa actividad antifúngica del extracto de pulpa del fruto de esta planta frente a Trichophyton mentagraphytes y T. rubrum (24), incluso, un estudio reciente ha demostrado que B.pinguin inhibe la población de hongos y bacterias en suelos donde esta planta crece (8). Del fruto También existen reportes sobre la actividad anti bacteriana frente a varias cepas patogénicas humanas (10).…”

“…Bromelia pinguin L. (Bromeliaceae) es una planta ampliamente distribuida en toda América central y el caribe, conocida como Piñuela, Maya, o Piña de ratón (6), (7), (8). El fruto es comestible aunque ocasiona irritación ligera en los labios sin efectos nocivos y también pequeños dolores ulcerosos sobre los dedos de las personas quienes manipulan su pulpa aunque de carácter reversible (9).…”