Diversity of fungi on rainforest litter in North Queensland, Australia

Abstract

Ten leaves from each of 13 different tree types from two different rainforest sites in North Queensland, Australia were examined in order to establish the fungal diversity developing on these leaves. A total of 57 microfungi were identified, most of which were mitosporic fungi. Species diversity in terms of richness and evenness were compared and the Mt Lewis site was found to be richer as compared to the Butchers Creek site. Statistical measurements of diversity indices, however, showed that the two forest sites were of similar diversity. Thirty-six of the fungi identified occurred only on one leaf type, indicating possible host specificities or recurrences. The sample size, however, is deemed to be insufficient, as a larger sample size may have resulted in less of the fungi appearing to be host specific. It is recommended that future studies should include more leaf samples and less tree types. It is particularly important that the same leaf species are collected within the same site and at different sites in order to establish the effects of host on fungal composition.

Source or Periodical Title

Biodiversity and Conservation

ISSN

9603115

Page

1185-1194

Document Type

Article

Subject

Biodiversity, Host specificity, Litter fungi, Species diversity

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