Isolation of endophytes from two species of palm, from Bermuda

This is the first report of endophytes from the indigenous Bermudian palmetto (Sabal bermudana Bailey) and the introduced Chinese palmetto (Livistona chinensis Jacquin), from Bermuda. Fronds were surface sterilized and 8-mm-diameter disks were removed and placed on 2% malt extract agar. Fungal isolates were obtained from 76 of the 375 disks from both species of palm. Idriella (two species) was the most common taxon isolated from both species of palm, making up 22 of the total 76 isolates, while Aspergillus accounted for 17 of the total 76 isolates. An unidentified isolate (BCP95-A), found in the Bermudian and the Chinese palmettos, accounted for 8 of the total 76 isolates. No statistically significant difference was found between fungal isolation frequencies of the two species of palm.