New Findings on the Biology and Ecology of the Ecuadorian Amazon Fungus <i>Polyporus leprieurii</i> var. <i>yasuniensis</i>
<i>Polyporus leprieurii</i> var<i>. yasuniensis</i> is a prolific wood-decay fungus inhabiting the forest floor of one of the most biodiverse places on earth, the Yasuní National Park in Ecuador. Basidiocarps and aerial rhizomorphs are commonly found growing on woody debris d...
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MDPI AG
2022-02-01
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| Series: | Journal of Fungi |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/8/2/203 |
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| author | Cristina E. Toapanta-Alban María E. Ordoñez Robert A. Blanchette |
| author_facet | Cristina E. Toapanta-Alban María E. Ordoñez Robert A. Blanchette |
| author_sort | Cristina E. Toapanta-Alban |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <i>Polyporus leprieurii</i> var<i>. yasuniensis</i> is a prolific wood-decay fungus inhabiting the forest floor of one of the most biodiverse places on earth, the Yasuní National Park in Ecuador. Basidiocarps and aerial rhizomorphs are commonly found growing on woody debris distributed along the floor of this forest ecosystem. Because of the extraordinary abundance of this fungus in the tropical rainforest, we carried out investigations to better understand the biological and ecological aspects contributing to its prolific distribution. Data on growth inhibition in paired competition studies with sixteen fungal isolates exemplifies defense mechanisms used to defend its territory, including pseudosclerotial plates and the development of a melanized rhizomorphic mat. Results of biomass loss on eleven types of tropical wood in microcosm experiments demonstrated the broad decay capacity of the fungus. In and ex situ observations provided information on how long rhizomorphs can prevail in highly competitive ecosystems as well as stressful conditions in the laboratory. Finally, high concentrations of metal ions occur on rhizomorphs as compared to colonized wood. Sequestration of metal ions from the environment by the melanized rhizomorphs may offer protection against competitors. The development of melanized rhizomorphs is key to find and colonize new substrates and resist changing environmental conditions. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T21:38:30Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b9039b2a2a6c47eea6171f9e161b3bf5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2309-608X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T21:38:30Z |
| publishDate | 2022-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Fungi |
| spelling | doaj.art-b9039b2a2a6c47eea6171f9e161b3bf52023-11-23T20:38:27ZengMDPI AGJournal of Fungi2309-608X2022-02-018220310.3390/jof8020203New Findings on the Biology and Ecology of the Ecuadorian Amazon Fungus <i>Polyporus leprieurii</i> var. <i>yasuniensis</i>Cristina E. Toapanta-Alban0María E. Ordoñez1Robert A. Blanchette2Department of Plant Pathology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USAFungarium QCAM, Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito 170143, EcuadorDepartment of Plant Pathology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA<i>Polyporus leprieurii</i> var<i>. yasuniensis</i> is a prolific wood-decay fungus inhabiting the forest floor of one of the most biodiverse places on earth, the Yasuní National Park in Ecuador. Basidiocarps and aerial rhizomorphs are commonly found growing on woody debris distributed along the floor of this forest ecosystem. Because of the extraordinary abundance of this fungus in the tropical rainforest, we carried out investigations to better understand the biological and ecological aspects contributing to its prolific distribution. Data on growth inhibition in paired competition studies with sixteen fungal isolates exemplifies defense mechanisms used to defend its territory, including pseudosclerotial plates and the development of a melanized rhizomorphic mat. Results of biomass loss on eleven types of tropical wood in microcosm experiments demonstrated the broad decay capacity of the fungus. In and ex situ observations provided information on how long rhizomorphs can prevail in highly competitive ecosystems as well as stressful conditions in the laboratory. Finally, high concentrations of metal ions occur on rhizomorphs as compared to colonized wood. Sequestration of metal ions from the environment by the melanized rhizomorphs may offer protection against competitors. The development of melanized rhizomorphs is key to find and colonize new substrates and resist changing environmental conditions.https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/8/2/203Basidiomycotacompetition studiesfungimacroecologymelaninmicrocosms |
| spellingShingle | Cristina E. Toapanta-Alban María E. Ordoñez Robert A. Blanchette New Findings on the Biology and Ecology of the Ecuadorian Amazon Fungus <i>Polyporus leprieurii</i> var. <i>yasuniensis</i> Journal of Fungi Basidiomycota competition studies fungi macroecology melanin microcosms |
| title | New Findings on the Biology and Ecology of the Ecuadorian Amazon Fungus <i>Polyporus leprieurii</i> var. <i>yasuniensis</i> |
| title_full | New Findings on the Biology and Ecology of the Ecuadorian Amazon Fungus <i>Polyporus leprieurii</i> var. <i>yasuniensis</i> |
| title_fullStr | New Findings on the Biology and Ecology of the Ecuadorian Amazon Fungus <i>Polyporus leprieurii</i> var. <i>yasuniensis</i> |
| title_full_unstemmed | New Findings on the Biology and Ecology of the Ecuadorian Amazon Fungus <i>Polyporus leprieurii</i> var. <i>yasuniensis</i> |
| title_short | New Findings on the Biology and Ecology of the Ecuadorian Amazon Fungus <i>Polyporus leprieurii</i> var. <i>yasuniensis</i> |
| title_sort | new findings on the biology and ecology of the ecuadorian amazon fungus i polyporus leprieurii i var i yasuniensis i |
| topic | Basidiomycota competition studies fungi macroecology melanin microcosms |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/8/2/203 |
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