Environment–host–microbial interactions shape the <i>Sarracenia</i> <i>purpurea</i> microbiome at the continental scale

The importance of climate, habitat structure, and higher trophic levels on microbial diversity is only beginning to be understood. Here, we examined the influence climate variables, plant morphology, abundance aquatic invertebrates biodiversity northern pitcher Sarracenia purpurea. plant's cup-shaped leaves fill with rainwater support a miniature, yet full-fledged, ecosystem diverse microbiome that decomposes captured prey small network shredding filter-feeding feed microbes. We characterized microbiomes 108 plants sampled at 36 sites from Florida Quebec. Structural equation models revealed annual precipitation temperature, size, midge had direct effects taxonomic phylogenetic diversity. Climate variables also exerted indirect through size abundance. Further, spatial structure influenced composition, but not composition. Our results suggest its effect plant-associated factors lead greater richness phylotypes in warmer, wetter sites.