Patterns and drivers of the global diversity of non‐native macrofungi

Abstract

Aim: To uncover the biogeography of non-native macrofungal diversity worldwide, by analysing patterns and drivers of (1) regional variation in species richness, (2) compositional similarity between regional species assemblages and (3) the spatiotemporal trends of first records. Location: Global.Methods: We used a database providing 1608 distribution records of 554 non-native macrofungal species in 167 national and sub-national regions worldwide. Regression models accounting for regional levels of recording capacity were used to relate spatial variation of non-native macrofungal richness and of regional compositional similarities to variables representing geographical, socio-economic and biophysical characteristics of regions. Temporal trends of first records were assessed at the global and continental scales and for distinct ecofunctional groups.Results: Regions reporting higher diversity of non-native species occur mainly in Europe, the Americas and Oceania. Regression models showed that regions with greater gross domestic product per capita, areal extent and in the Southern Hemisphere have higher non-native species richness, while regions with similar mean temperatures and latitudinal position share higher compositional similarities.Numbers of first records of non-native macrofungi have grown quasi-exponentially between 1753 and 2018, reflecting not only improved recording capacities but also likely an increasing number of introductions.

Do endemic mushrooms on oceanic islands and archipelagos support the theory of island biogeography?

“…We note that large numbers of non-native mushroom species may be present (e.g. 87% of Hawaiian mushrooms in our study), further challenging comparisons Monteiro et al (2022). recently found that islands do not necessarily have more non-native mushrooms than mainlands, but certain regions, including Oceania, have higher species richness of non-native mushroom species.…”

“…87% of Hawaiian mushrooms in our study), further challenging comparisons. Monteiro et al (2022) recently found that islands do not necessarily have more non‐native mushrooms than mainlands, but certain regions, including Oceania, have higher species richness of non‐native mushroom species. Finally, datasets that include only soils may exclude large groups of mushrooms, including lignicolous species.…”

Who is reporting non‐native species and how? A cross‐expert assessment of practices and drivers of non‐native biodiversity reporting in species regional listing

“…However, we also found that, for the time being, a large percentage of checklist authors still have limited knowledge of this terminology. For example, significant positive relationships between taxonomic expertise and levels of terminology knowledge were found for plants, vertebrates, and invertebrates, but not for fungi and microorganisms groups for which knowledge about invasions is difficult to obtain and remains limited (Litchman, 2010; Monteiro et al, 2022). Thus, efforts to improve knowledge of this terminology and its harmonized adoption among checklist authors seem justified.…”

Biogeography and global flows of 100 major alien fungal and fungus‐like oomycete pathogens

“…Alien richness hotspots of macrofungal (i.e. of those that form visible fruiting bodies) saprobes and ectomycorrhiza were found in Europe, the Americas and Oceania (Monteiro et al, 2020(Monteiro et al, , 2022. However, biogeographic patterns of fungal guilds can differ substantially (Põlme et al, 2020;Tedersoo et al, 2014) and a similar global analysis for alien fungal pathogens is missing to date, despite their environmental and socio-economic impacts.…”