Bonaria Mulas

Comparative studies on microfungi in tropical ecosystems in Ivory Coast forest litter: behaviour on different substrata

Fungal colonies sporulating on 71 kinds of leaves that fell during the dry season in the Tai National Park (Ivory Coast) were analysed. A consistent connection between certain fungal species and their substrata was detected among the 184 fungal species that were identified. Each fungal species was characterized according to morphological and ecological features. Multidimensional scaling showed that certain ubiquitous and common species have morphological characters distinguishing them from specialised species.

High spots for diversity of soil and litter microfungi in Italy

Abstract Soil fungal diversity plays a fundamental role in delivering key ecosystem goods and services. This article assesses diversity of saprobic soil and litter microfungi, as taxonomical and functional components which affect above- and below-ground relationships within Alpine and Mediterranean regions of Italy. We highlighted biodiversity high spots focusing on four research topics that have been developed over time and are currently in progress in Italy. Preliminary quantitative data concerning soil microfungi in the Raethian Alps showed a strong reduction of Colony Forming Unit (CFU)s with altitude. Keratinophilic microfungi in natural and anthropogenic environments were widespread among filamentous fungi and 121 species have been isolated in Italy since 1960. Heat stimulated microfungi in Mediterranean region soils showed high values both in abundance and species density even two years after the experimental fire, with Neosartorya spp. playing a pivotal role. The diversity of microfungi of Quercus ilex (150 species), in the Mediterranean region, higher than that in leaf litter of other species, was explained mainly by different forms of growth and the phytoclimatic characters of the areas under study.

Succession of microfungal communities on Myrtus communis leaf litter in a Sardinian Mediterranean maquis ecosystem

The succession of microfungal communities on Myrtus communis leaf litter was monitored from Jan. 1993 to Nov. 1994 using the litter bag method. Three main groups of fungal colonizers were identified, whose presence is correlated with the successive decomposition stages of the substrate and with seasonal variations.

Analysis of the litter microfungal communities in a mediterranean maquis ecosystem

Combative-ruderal and stress-tolerant microfungal communities on mediterranean vegetation litter in three different stations in Sardinia were analysed. The saprotrophic specialization of some fungal species onPistacia lentiscus L. substratum is discussed.RiassuntoÈ stata analizzata l’evoluzione di una comunità fungina da una tipica situazione «combative-ruderal» ad una di «stress». Le ricerche sono state effettuate in tre stazioni costiere a macchia mediterranea in Sarde-gna; le comunità fungine associate alla lettiera délle differend specie vegetali sono state esaminate in due differenti periodi stagionali, primavera ed estate. Sono state identificate tre Strategie di sopravvivenza: 1a prima dei «combative-ruderal», la seconda degli «stress-tolerant» e 1a terza è adottata da quelle specie fungine che beneficiano delle condizioni stressanti dell’ambiente. Poiché le colonie fungine identificate sulle differenti lettiere presentano contorni ben delimitati, sono stati identificati e proposti due differenti tipi di colonizzazione, ottimale ed adattativo. In particolare è stata discussa 1a specializzazione saprotrofica di al-cune specie fungine sulla lettiera diP. lentiscus.

Primo contributo alla micoecologia della lettiera di lentisco in alcune isole minori della Sardegna meridionale

Abstract Preliminary account of the microfungi colonizing Pistaca lentiscus L. litter - A preliminary account of the microfungi colonizing Pistacia lentiscus L. leaf litter in five small islands of South Sardinia is carried out. Two species, Beltrania rhombica Penzig and Endophragmiella boewei (Crane) Hughes are present in almost all the samples investigated. A very low index in richness of species seems to be characteristic of this particular area.

Succession of microfungi in Phillyrea angustifolia litter in a Mediterranean maquis in Sardinia

ABSTRACT The colonisation of microfungi in litter bags with Phillyrea angustifolia L. leaf litter was followed for two years; the succession of microfungal communities was analysed. Two main groups of fungi were identified, whose presence is correlated with the successive decomposition stages of the substrate and with seasonal variations.

Succession of microfungi during Pistacia lentiscus litter decomposition in a Sardinian Mediterranean maquis

Abstract Changes in the microfungal community developing on Pistacia lentiscus L. leaf litter were monitored from February 2001 (senescent leaves) to December 2002 using litter bags. The Principal component analysis of the 16 samples showed a microfungal succession related to the progressive decomposition of the substratum. The Correspondence analysis of fungal colonizers with Rf > 10 revealed three main groups succeeding during the study period. The co-occurrence relationships (on the same leaf) among the major colonizers were analysed. The specialized saprotrophs on P. lentiscus litter: Asterostomella sp. 1 and Endophragmiella boewei were identified as principal colonizers in the mature community.

Contribution to the study of the microfungi in the saprotrophic specialization in tropical forest litter

Abstract In this study we have reported some results of the fungal colonization in the litter of different plants of the National Park of Tai (Ivory Coast). We have also examined the correlations between the fungal species and the vegetable matrix in order to detect a saprotrophic specialization.

Effects of Long-Term Heavy Metal Contamination on Soil Fungi in the Mediterranean Area

Abstract The lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) content in soil can qualitatively and quantitatively affect the microbial community and, therefore, the normal functioning of the soil ecosystem. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of long-term Pb and Zn contamination on soil fungi isolated by the dilution plate method, also in relation to vegetal topsoil. We analysed soil samples collected near dominant plant species (Pistacia lentiscus L., Quercus ilex L., Arbutus unedo L., and Phillyrea angustifolia L.) in soils suffering from heavy metal pollution as well as in unpolluted sites. The study area is located in the mining district of Ingurtosu (South-West Sardinia), where the polluted sites were severely contaminated by lead extraction activities that probably began before the Roman era. The obtained data were subjected to multivariate analysis, using Canonical Correspondence Analysis, to determine the relationship between the soil biota and the environmental variables. High concentrations of lead and zinc, with some variation with respect to the vegetation, were found in the topsoil of all polluted sites. Soil pollution places stress on sensitive microorganisms, which causes a change in the diversity of soil mycota. A significant decline in micro-fungal abundance was observed in all polluted soils tested in this study. In addition, some interesting fungal species are discussed.

Saprotrophic litter fungi in a Mediterranean ecosystem: Behaviour on different substrata

Saprotrophic fungi sporulating on 17 types of leaf litter collected during the dry season in the Sardinian Mediterranean area were analysed. The fungal assemblages identified in each substratum showed an overlap value ranging from 5.9% to 46.7%. A consistent connection between certain fungal species and their substrata was detected; among the 168 fungal species identified, 104 (62%) may be regarded as specialised. Each fungal species was characterised according to morphological and ecological features. Multidimensional scaling showed that ubiquitous and common species have morphological characters distinguishing them from specialised species.