The endophyte’s endophytes: the microbial partners of the endangered plant parasite Rafflesia speciosa (Rafflesiaceae) reveal clues about its cryptic biology and cues for cultivation

MABBI – Research conducted by Jeanmaire Molina Icon, Roche C. de Guzman, Adhityo Wicaksono, Theodore Muth, Ronniel Pedales, Denia Diaz, Ali Budhi Kusuma, Chloe Li, Hudson Margolis, Feruza Karnitskiy, Alysa Estopace, Patricia Atanelov, Max Bukhbinder, Danilo Tandang, John Rey Callado , Joseph W. Morin, Ian Fontanilla, Destiny Davis, Stephen Jones, Mick Erickson, James Adams, Kyle Wallick, David Kidwell-Slak, Ari Novy and Susan Pell from University of the Philippines Diliman, Hofstra University, Genbinesia Foundation, City University of New York, Pace University, Sumbawa University of Technology, DNA Learning Center USA, Long Island University, U.S. Botanic Garden USA, Department of Science and Technology-Forest Products Research and Development Institute Philippines, Philippine National Museum Philippines, and San Diego Botanic Garden USA entitled The endophyte’s endophytes: the microbial partners of the endangered plant parasite Rafflesia speciosa (Rafflesiaceae) reveal clues about its cryptic biology and cues for cultivation
Rafflesia is an endangered endophytic holoparasitic plant that lives the majority of its life inside the tissues of its sole plant host, Tetrastigma. Rafflesia floral buds emerge to produce the world’s largest single flower. Like other plants, holoparasites harbor a diverse microbiome, the role(s) of which has remained largely unstudied. We characterized the bacterial microbiome of seeds of Rafflesia speciosa and cuttings of its host. We found evidence that R. speciosa seed has similar bacterial profiles to its infected host, which suggests that the seeds sequester certain host bacteria, as well as acquiring unique bacterial taxa from biotic associates of the fruit. We did not find evidence of mycorrhizal taxa in the microbiome. This is the first study of the microbial endophytes associated with any Rafflesia species and its host, a tripartite holobiont, and provides insights on its cryptic microbial partners. We discuss how this may aid horticultural propagation of Rafflesia. (Tri/MABBI)
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https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17429145.2024.2304221

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