Fungal succession on the decomposition of three plant species from a Brazilian mangrove

Abstract

Leaf decomposition is the primary process in release of nutrients in the dynamic mangrove habitat, supporting the ecosystem food webs. On most environments, fungi are an essential part of this process. However, due to the peculiarities of mangrove forests, this group is currently neglected. Thus, this study tests the hypothesis that fungal communities display a specific succession pattern in different mangrove species and this due to differences in their ecological role. A molecular approach was employed to investigate the dynamics of the fungal community during the decomposition of three common plant species (Rhizophora mangle, Laguncularia racemosa, and Avicennia schaueriana) from a mangrove habitat located at the southeast of Brazil. Plant material was the primary driver of fungi communities, but time also was marginally significant for the process, and evident changes in the fungal community during the decomposition process were observed. The five most abundant classes common to all the three plant species were Saccharomycetes, Sordariomycetes, Tremellomycetes, Eurotiomycetes, and Dothideomycetes, all belonging to the Phylum Ascomycota. Microbotryomycetes class were shared only by A. schaueriana and L. racemosa, while Agaricomycetes class were shared by L. racemosa and R. mangle. The class Glomeromycetes were shared by A. schaueriana and R. mangle. The analysis of the core microbiome showed that Saccharomycetes was the most abundant class. In the variable community, Sordariomycetes was the most abundant one, mainly in the Laguncularia racemosa plant. The results presented in this work shows a specialization of the fungal community regarding plant material during litter decomposition which might be related to the different chemical composition and rate of degradation.

Metagenomics insights into microbial diversity shifts among seagrass sediments

“…Fungi, particularly Ascomycota and Basidiomycota, were more abundance in the lower layer, suggesting their role in the decomposition of organic matter in marine sediments (Moitinho et al, 2022). Our observations regarding the prevalence of archaea are consistent with those of Schorn et al (2022), who also reported a higher abundance of archaea in deeper sediment layers.…”

“…In the lower layers, their high abundance could be influenced by the reshuffling of the top sediment layer with each tide. Fungi, particularly Ascomycota and Basidiomycota, were more abundance in the lower layer, suggesting their role in the decomposition of organic matter in marine sediments (Moitinho et al, 2022). Our observations regarding the prevalence of archaea are consistent with those of Schorn et al .…”

Analysis of Mangrove Leaf Litter Decomposition Rate in Mangrove Ecosystem of Muara Pagatan, South Kalimantan

“…Additionally, it is also suspected that Rhizophora mucronata has thinner leaves, hence, it is easier to decompose. The length of time required is influenced by several factors, including mangrove type, environmental conditions and organic moisture, organic equilibrium and excess microorganisms on mangrove leaves that can affect mangrove litter decomposition (Vinh et al, 2020;Moitinho et al, 2022).…”

“…Litter is dead plant parts such as leaves, twigs, flowers, barks, and roots that spread on the soil surfaces before decomposing (Pradisty et al, 2021;Zhang et al, 2021). Mangrove leaf litter can be decomposed by fungi and bacteria into nutrients and litter particles which serve as food source for fishes, shrimps, and crabs (Robertson., 1988;Moitinho et al, 2022). Macrobenthos and herbivorous biota are some of the early decomposers that will destroy or chop the remains of the leaves into smaller parts which then will be released back as feces.…”

Succession of Fungal Community during Outdoor Deterioration of Round Bamboo

“…Fungal succession, which refers to different species that become dominant at different points in time, is one of the most widespread and universal patterns of community assembly and activity in the ecosystem’s ecology [ 20 ]. Although fungal succession on various plant substrates has been well explored [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ], it has received little attention when it comes to bamboo. Zhou and Hyde [ 26 ] placed several bamboo culms in terrestrial habitats in Hong Kong and investigated their fungal succession on bamboo via culturing on a medium and observing fruit bodies under a microscope in the laboratory.…”