Compartment-specific fungal communities associated with invasive Prosopis juliflora in Oman revealed by ITS amplicon sequencing (Illumina MiSeq)

Abstract

Prosopis juliflora (mesquite) is a fast-growing, invasive leguminous tree affecting natural and agricultural ecosystems worldwide. Although its impacts on vegetation and soil chemistry are documented, its fungal communities across plant tissues and adjacent soils remain poorly characterized. We profiled fungal communities associated with P. juliflora leaves, roots, rhizosphere soil, and adjacent bulk soil at two locations in northern Oman (Seeb and Samail) using ITS1 amplicon sequencing on the Illumina MiSeq platform. Alpha diversity was summarized with Chao1 richness and Shannon diversity, and Bray-Curtis dissimilarities were visualized by principal coordinates analysis. Across 32 samples, root-associated communities had the highest observed richness and diversity, leaf communities were intermediate, and both soil compartments were lower, with bulk soil lowest. Leaves were dominated by Pleosporaceae ( Alternaria ), whereas roots contained a broader mixture including Pleosporaceae, Cyphellaceae, Didymella ceae, Aspergillaceae, and Debaryomycetaceae. Rhizosphere soils included Debaryomycetaceae and Glomeraceae ( Glomus -type sequences) along with other taxa, whereas bulk soil was strongly represented by Debaryomycetaceae. Within this descriptive dataset, community patterns separated more clearly by compartment than by location. These data provide an Oman-specific baseline for future comparisons with native plants and for experimental tests of fungal function in dryland invasion.