Natalia Allegrucci1, Ana María Bucsinszky2, Marcelo Arturi3, Marta Noemí Cabello4. 1. Instituto de Botánica Spegazzini, FCNyM, UNLP, 53 # 477, 1900 La Plata, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina. Electronic address: nataliaallegrucii@yahoo.com. 2. Instituto de Botánica Spegazzini, FCNyM, UNLP, 53 # 477, 1900 La Plata, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina. 3. Laboratorio de Investigación en Sistemas Ecológicos y Ambientales (LISEA), Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales, UNLP, diagonal 133, n° 469, 1900 La Plata, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina. 4. Instituto de Botánica Spegazzini, FCNyM, UNLP, 53 # 477, 1900 La Plata, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Xeric forests dominated by two tree species, Scutia buxifolia (Rhamnaceae) and Celtis tala (Ulmacea), are temperate, semi-deciduous wooded communities that represent the most abundant woodlands on the eastern plains of Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. The district of Magdalena has one of the most well-preserved native-forest areas, with an environmental heterogeneity that gives rise to the wide variability in the vegetation present. AIMS: The aim of this study was to analyze the species composition, diversity, seasonal variations, and substrate specificity of anamorphic fungi (Ascomycota) on the green leaves and in the leaf litter of native forests dominated by Scutia buxifolia and Celtis tala from Magdalena, Buenos Aires, Argentina. METHODS: In order to obtain the mycobiota of decomposition, seasonal samples of green leaves and leaf litter from both types of trees were collected over a two-year period. In the laboratory, the leaves were placed in a moist chamber and incubated at room temperature. RESULTS: A total of 100 species of anamorphic Ascomycota were identified in both forests. No significant variations were observed in the richness, diversity, or evenness of the fungal communities of the green leaves and leaf litter of both forests between seasons. CONCLUSIONS: The species that characterized the fungal communities in the leaves of each of the trees were found to be different. The type of substrate had a stronger influence in determining the composition of the fungal community in both types of forests.
BACKGROUND: Xeric forests dominated by two tree species, Scutia buxifolia (Rhamnaceae) and Celtis tala (Ulmacea), are temperate, semi-deciduous wooded communities that represent the most abundant woodlands on the eastern plains of Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. The district of Magdalena has one of the most well-preserved native-forest areas, with an environmental heterogeneity that gives rise to the wide variability in the vegetation present. AIMS: The aim of this study was to analyze the species composition, diversity, seasonal variations, and substrate specificity of anamorphic fungi (Ascomycota) on the green leaves and in the leaf litter of native forests dominated by Scutia buxifolia and Celtis tala from Magdalena, Buenos Aires, Argentina. METHODS: In order to obtain the mycobiota of decomposition, seasonal samples of green leaves and leaf litter from both types of trees were collected over a two-year period. In the laboratory, the leaves were placed in a moist chamber and incubated at room temperature. RESULTS: A total of 100 species of anamorphic Ascomycota were identified in both forests. No significant variations were observed in the richness, diversity, or evenness of the fungal communities of the green leaves and leaf litter of both forests between seasons. CONCLUSIONS: The species that characterized the fungal communities in the leaves of each of the trees were found to be different. The type of substrate had a stronger influence in determining the composition of the fungal community in both types of forests.
Authors: Grant T Kirker; Amy Bishell; Jed Cappellazzi; Jonathan Palmer; Nathan Bechle; Patricia Lebow; Stan Lebow Journal: Microorganisms Date: 2020-05-09