高山森林凋落物分解过程中的微生物生物量动态

凋落物分解过程中的微生物生物量动态对于深入了解森林凋落物分解机理具有重要意义。为了解高山森林典型树种凋落物分解过程中的微生物生物量特征,采用凋落物分解袋法,研究了土壤冻结期(3月)、融冻期(4月-5月)、生长季节(5-10月)和冻结初期(11月)红桦(Betula albosinensi)、岷江冷杉(Abies faxoniana)和粗枝云杉(Picea asperata)凋落物分解过程的微生物生物量C(MBC)、微生物生物量N(MBN)和微生物生物量P(MBP)动态。四个关键时期,凋落物的MBC、MBN以生长季节最高,但非生长季节的三个关键时期也检测出较高的MBC、MBN。在融冻期结束后,三类凋落物分解过程中MBC和MBN均出现爆发性增长。然而,MBP在生长季节中期(8月)、完全冻结期(3月)和冻结初期(11月)均相对较低,但在融冻期和生长季节后期(9月)相对较高。另外,红桦凋落物的MBC、MBN和MBP含量均高于岷江冷杉和粗枝云杉凋落物(除4月粗枝云杉凋落物MBP异常升高外)。这些结果为更加清晰地认识高寒森林凋落物分解过程及机理,以及进一步理解陆地生态系统结构和功能提供了一定基础数据。     

Overwintering physiology and microhabitat use of Phyllocnistis populiella (Lepidoptera: Gracilliariidae) in interior Alaska

We investigated the overwintering physiology and behavior of Phyllocnistis populiella Chambers, the aspen leaf miner, which has caused severe and widespread damage to aspen in Alaska over the past 10 yr. Active P. populiella moths caught in spring and summer supercooled to an average temperature of -16°C, whereas dormant moths excavated from hibernacula in the leaf litter during fall and winter supercooled to an average of -32°C. None of the moths survived freezing in the laboratory. Counts of overwintering moths in leaf litter across microhabitats in interior Alaska demonstrated that moths occurred at significantly higher density beneath white spruce trees than beneath the aspen host, several other hardwood species, or in open areas among trees. During winter, the temperature 1-2 cm below the surface of the leaf litter beneath white spruce trees was on average 7-9°C colder than beneath aspen trees, and we estimate that during at least one period of the winter the temperature under some white spruce trees may have been cold enough to cause mortality. However, the leaf litter under white spruce trees was significantly drier than the litter from other microhabitats, which may assist P. populiella moths to avoid inoculative freezing because of physical contact with ice. We conclude that in interior Alaska, P. populiella overwinter in a supercooled state within leaf litter mainly under nonhost trees, and may prefer relatively dry microhabitats over moister ones at the expense of lower environmental temperature.     

Effects of temperature on overwintering populations of the green spruce aphid Elatobium abietinum

Recorded minimum temperatures of – 7 ^oC or lower noticeably reduced overwintering populations of the green spruce aphid, Elatobium abietinum, in north-east Scotland. It is suggested that, at these temperatures, ice formation in the needles of the host Sitka spruce, caused attached aphids to freeze. Aphid mortality also occurred when maximum temperatures did not rise above + 6 ^oC for prolonged periods, possibly as a result of starvation following an extended chill coma. A diagrammatic representation of the main factors affecting anholocyclic populations of E. abietinum during the winter is presented to emphasize the governing role played by temperature. The balance between mortality and recruitment determines the size of the population at the end of the winter, and this in turn determines the subsequent summer infestation. It should be possible, therefore, to predict aphid outbreaks either from winter temperatures or from the number of aphids present at the end of the winter. Temperature records obtained from integrating thermometers indicated that the inside of the lower crown tended to be the warmest part of the tree during the winter, resulting in greater aphid survival in the lower branches.     

Fungal Diversity of Norway Spruce Litter: Effects of Site Conditions and Premature Leaf Fall Caused By Bark Beetle Outbreak

Fungi play an important role in leaf litter decomposition due to their ability to break down the lignocellulose matrix, which other organisms are unable to digest. However, little is known regarding the factors affecting components of fungal diversity. Here, we quantified richness of internal fungi in relation to litter nutrient and phenolic concentrations, sampling season (spring or fall), and premature leaf shedding due to low precipitation and infestation of bark beetles (mainly Ips typographus and Ips duplicatus). The study was conducted in 37-year-old Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] stands, with three plots each in mixed forest (MF) and coniferous forest (CF) site conditions in south-central Poland. Fifty-four species of sporulating fungi were identified in 2,330 freshly fallen needles sampled during 2003-2005, including 45 species in MF and 31 in CF. The significantly higher number of species in MF was likely related to moister conditions at that site. Among isolated fungi, 22% (12 species) were identified as endophytes of Norway spruce in prior studies. During spring of 2005, we found less than half the number of isolates and fungal species at each forest site as compared to fall for the two prior years. This pattern was observed in typical soil fungi (e.g., Penicillium daleae, Penicillium purpurogenum) and endophytes/epiphytes (e.g., Aureobasidium pullulans, Alternaria alternata, Cladosporium spp., and Lophodermium piceae). Premature shedding of needles was the most likely cause of this decline because it shortened the time period for fungi to infect green needles while on the tree. For all sites and sampling periods, richness of internal fungi was strongly and positively related to the age of freshly fallen litter (assessed using needle Ca concentration as a needle age tracer) and was also negatively related to litter phenolic concentration. Richness of internal fungi in freshly fallen litter may be adversely affected by low soil moisture status, natural inhibitors slowing fungal colonization (e.g., phenolics) and biotic (e.g., insect infestation) and abiotic (e.g., drought) factors that shorten leaf life span.     

Mycophagy in small mammals: A comparison of the occurrence and diversity of hypogeal fungi in the diet of the long-nosed potoroo Potorous tridactylus and the bush rat Rattus fuscipes from southwestern Victoria,Australia

Abstract Three broad dietary categories—fungus, plant and arthropod—were identified from faecal samples of two species of small terrestrial mammal in forest vegetation in southwestern Victoria. Fungal material formed the major component of the diet of the long-nosed potoroo Potorous tridactylus throughout the year and of the bush rat Rattus fuscipes during autumn and winter. Fungal material was most abundant for both species during autumn and winter and significantly less common in spring and summer. These results confirm previous studies which found P. tridactylus to be highly mycophagous throughout the year and R. fuscipes to be strongly mycophagous seasonally. Particular consideration was given to the composition of fungi in the diet. Fungal spores in faecal material were assigned to spore classes, which represent one or more fungal species that have similar spore morphology. Twenty-four fungal spore classes were recorded, but for both animal species most of the fungi consumed were from seven major spore classes. The proportions of major spore classes in the diet of both animals were generally similar, even though the composition of spore classes differed markedly across seasons. Minor differences between species in the fungi consumed may be related to differences in selectivity, foraging, or microhabitat use. If fungal resources are limiting, competition for such resources may be important in this and other small mammal communities. The amount and diversity of hypogeal fungi consumed by the two animal species makes them both important spore dispersal agents in forest ecosystems. The capacity of R. fuscipes and other seasonally mycophagous mammals in this role may be more important than previously recognized, especially in habitats where species of the Potoroidae are absent.     

Temporal Dynamics of Abiotic and Biotic Factors on Leaf Litter of Three Plant Species in Relation to Decomposition Rate along a Subalpine Elevation Gradient

Relationships between abiotic (soil temperature and number of freeze-thaw cycles) or biotic factors (chemical elements, microbial biomass, extracellular enzymes, and decomposer communities in litter) and litter decomposition rates were investigated over two years in subalpine forests close to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in China. Litterbags with senescent birch, fir, and spruce leaves were placed on the forest floor at 2,704 m, 3,023 m, 3,298 m, and 3,582 m elevation. Results showed that the decomposition rate positively correlated with soil mean temperature during the plant growing season, and with the number of soil freeze-thaw cycles during the winter. Concentrations of soluble nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) had positive effects but C:N and lignin:N ratios had negative effects on the decomposition rate (k), especially during the winter. Meanwhile, microbial biomass carbon (MBC), N (MBN), and P (MBP) were positively correlated with k values during the first growing season. These biotic factors accounted for 60.0% and 56.4% of the variation in decomposition rate during the winter and the growing season in the first year, respectively. Specifically, litter chemistry (C, N, P, K, lignin, C:N and lignin:N ratio) independently explained 29.6% and 13.3%, and the microbe-related factors (MBC, MBN, MBP, bacterial and fungal biomass, sucrase and ACP activity) explained 22.9% and 34.9% during the first winter and the first growing season, respectively. We conclude that frequent freeze-thaw cycles and litter chemical properties determine the winter decomposition while microbe-related factors play more important roles in determining decomposition in the subsequent growing season.     

Sow level risk factors for early piglet mortality and crushing in organic outdoor production

Piglet mortality is a major problem in organic pig production affecting both farm economy and animal welfare. Knowledge is scarce on the risk factors of piglet mortality in Danish commercial organic pig production. The objectives of this study were to evaluate season, litter size, parity, sow body condition and stillborn littermates as risk factors for early piglet mortality and crushing of liveborn piglets from parturition until castration at day 3 to 5 postpartum (pp). The study was conducted over a 1-year period in nine commercial Danish organic pig herds practicing outdoor farrowing all year round. Data included recordings on 3393 farrowings with 50 284 liveborn piglets of which 14.8% died before castration. A subset of the dead piglets were collected and necropsied to identify crushed piglets. The average number of liveborn piglets per litter was 14.8 (SD=3.7) and the average time from parturition until castration was 4.1 (SD=1.7) days. A negative binomial regression analysis was used to model the effect of the predictive variables on the early piglet mortality accounting for different time periods from parturition to castration. An increase in maternal body condition score (BCS) and parity significantly increased the risk of dying between parturition and castration. Early mortality was found to be lowest during spring (March to May) and highest during summer (June to August). Being born into a litter with one or more stillborn littermates increased the risk of early mortality. The risk factors for crushing of piglets were evaluated using a logistic analysis. A significant effect of parity and litter size was found where the odds of at least one piglet in a litter with mortality was diagnosed as crushed increased with increasing parity and litter size. In conclusion, being born during summer (June to August), high parity and maternal BCS and stillborn littermates were found to be risk factors for piglet mortality between parturition and castration. In addition, parity and increasing litter size were found to be risk factors for crushing of piglets in litters with mortality.     

Fungi Vectored by the Bark Beetle Ips typographus Following Hibernation Under the Bark of Standing Trees and in the Forest Litter

The bark beetle Ips typographus has different hibernation environments, under the bark of standing trees or in the forest litter, which is likely to affect the beetle-associated fungal flora. We isolated fungi from beetles, standing I. typographus-attacked trees, and forest litter below the attacked trees. Fungal identification was done using cultural and molecular methods. The results of the two methods in detecting fungal species were compared. Fungal communities associated with I. typographus differed considerably depending on the hibernation environment. In addition to seven taxa of known ophiostomoid I. typographus-associated fungi, we detected 18 ascomycetes and anamorphic fungi, five wood-decaying basidomycetes, 11 yeasts, and four zygomycetes. Of those, 14 fungal taxa were detected exclusively from beetles that hibernated under bark, and six taxa were detected exclusively from beetles hibernating in forest litter. The spruce pathogen, Ceratocystis polonica, was detected occasionally in bark, while another spruce pathogen, Grosmannia europhioides, was detected more often from beetles hibernating under the bark as compared to litter. The identification method had a significant impact on which taxa were detected. Rapidly growing fungal taxa, e.g. Penicillium, Trichoderma, and Ophiostoma, dominated pure culture isolations; while yeasts dominated the communities detected using molecular methods. The study also demonstrated low frequencies of tree pathogenic fungi carried by I. typographus during its outbreaks and that the beetle does not require them to successfully attack and kill trees.     

Ground vegetation dynamics in mountain spruce (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Picea</Emphasis> <Emphasis Type="Italic">abies</Emphasis> (L.) Karsten) forests recovering after air pollution stress impact

Our study focuses on the ground vegetation dynamics and its dependence on microsite conditions in declined climax mountain Norway spruce forests during the recovery period (1995–2006) following upon the considerable decrease of SO₂ pollution. We showed that ground vegetation development shifted from prevailing mosses and vegetation-free sites covered with spruce litter to dominance by Avenella flexuosa during the earlier period of massive decline of the observed ecosystems. The expansion of Vaccinium myrtillus seems to occur mainly under the gradually defoliating tree crowns whereas larger canopy gaps and quickly deforested areas are more successfully colonized by grasses, especially Calamagrostis villosa. The gradual spruce stand decline, as well as the corresponding ground vegetation dynamics, proceeded until the end of the twentieth century. Afterwards, the ground vegetation responded to the interruption of trees dying and stopped its expansion on spruce litter microsites. Retreat of both dominant grasses accompanied by the remarkable increase in cover of mosses occurred.     

Annual production of leaf-decaying fungi in a woodland stream

1. Fungi are thought to be important mediators of energy flow in the detritus-based food webs of woodland streams. However, until recently, quantitative methods to assess their contribution have been lacking. Growth rates of leaf-decaying fungi can be estimated from rates of acetate incorporation into ergosterol which, together with estimates of fungal biomass from ergosterol concentrations, enables calculation of fungal production. In this study, I used this method to estimate total production of leaf-decaying fungi over an annual cycle in a small woodland stream, Walker Branch, Tennessee, U.S.A. To calculate fungal biomass and production on an areal basis, I determined the amount of leaf litter occurring in the stream by sampling transects randomly selected in each of ten 10-m sections every 20–50 days. Subsamples of leaves chosen from five of the transects were used to determine ergosterol concentrations and in situ rates of acetate incorporation into ergosterol. 2. Leaf litter, fungal biomass m^–2, and fungal production m^–2 were highly seasonal. Leaf litter ranged from 249 g m^–2 in November to less than 5 g m^–2 during the summer. Fungal biomass as percentage of leaf litter ranged from 4.4 to 8.8% during the year, but on an areal basis ranged from 11 to 13 g m^–2 during November to January to 0.25 g m^–2 in June, primarily due to the seasonal variation in amount of leaf litter present. Fungal growth rates averaged 2.6% day^–1 (0.9–7.0% day^–1) during the year. Daily production of leaf-decaying fungi ranged from 0.49 g m^–2 in November, when the amount of leaf litter was at its maximum, to 0.006 g m^–2 during the summer when the amount of leaf litter was low. Annual production of leaf-decaying fungi was 34 g m^–2, with an annual production to biomass ratio (P/B) of 8.2. 3. Fungal spore concentrations in the stream were also seasonal and were correlated with amount of leaf litter m^–2 and fungal biomass m^–2. Spore concentrations varied between one and four spores ml^–1 throughout most of the year, but increased to eighteen spores ml^–1 shortly after the greatest amount of leaf litter was present in the stream during November.     

Early stage litter decomposition rates for Swiss forests

The decomposition of belowground and aboveground tree litter was studied on five forest sites across Switzerland, ranging from 480 to 1500 m in altitude, and including calcareous and acidic soils. In addition to decomposition of local litter types (Picea abies, Fagus sylvatica, Castanea sativa), the decomposition of a standard beech litter was studied on all sites. After 2 years of decomposition, mass loss ranged from 18 to 71% across the different sites and litter types. The lowest decomposition rates were observed for beech roots, while mass loss was greatest for both spruce needles and spruce roots at the low-altitude site. Mass loss during the first winter correlated best with the content of water-soluble substances. After 1 year of incubation, mass loss of the standard litter varied less than did mass loss of local litter, but variance increased during the second year for aboveground litter. These observations indicate a smaller climatic influence on litter breakdown at the beginning of the decomposition process. Litter mass loss could be described using an exponential model with a decay constant depending on either lignin/N ratio or Mn content of the litter and annual soil temperature and throughfall precipitation as climatic variables. Modelling the observed mass loss indicated a strong influence of litter quality in the first 2 years of decomposition, confirming the field data from the standard litter experiment. The experiment will continue for some years and is expected to yield additional data on long-term decomposition.     

Beetles provide directed dispersal of viable spores of a keystone wood decay fungus

Wood decay fungi are considered to be dispersed by wind, but dispersal by animals may also be important, and more so in managed forests where dead wood is scarce. We investigated whether beetles could disperse spores of the keystone species Fomitopsis pinicola. Beetles were collected on sporocarps and newly felled spruce logs, a favourable habitat for spore deposition. Viable spores (and successful germination) of F. pinicola were detected by dikaryotization of monokaryotic bait mycelium from beetle samples. Viable spores were on the exoskeleton and in the faeces of all beetles collected from sporulating sporocarps. On fresh spruce logs, nine beetle species transported viable spores, of which several bore into the bark. Our results demonstrate that beetles can provide directed dispersal of wood decay fungi. Potentially, it could contribute to a higher persistence of some species in fragmented forests where spore deposition by wind on dead wood is less likely.     

Sequestration of soil nitrogen as tannin-protein complexes may improve the competitive ability of sheep laurel (Kalmia angustifolia) relative to black spruce (Picea mariana)

The role of litter tannins in controlling soil nitrogen (N) cycling may explain the competitive ability of Kalmia relative to black spruce (Picea mariana), although this has not been demonstrated experimentally. Here, the protein-precipitation capacities of purified tannins and leaf extracts from Kalmia and black spruce were compared. The resistance to degradation of tannin-protein precipitates from both species were compared by monitoring carbon (C) and N dynamics in humus amended with protein, purified tannins or protein-tannin precipitates. The purity of the precipitates was verified using solid-state (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra. The ability of mycorrhizal fungi associated with both species to grow on media amended with tannin-protein complexes as the principal N source was also compared. The protein precipitation capacity of Kalmia tannins was superior to those of black spruce. Humus amended with protein increased both mineral and microbial N, whereas humus amended with tannin-protein precipitates increased dissolved organic N. Mycorrhizal fungi associated with Kalmia showed better growth than those associated with black spruce when N was provided as tannin-protein precipitates. These data suggest that Kalmia litter increases the amount of soil N sequestered as tannin-protein complexes, which may improve the competitive ability of Kalmia relative to black spruce by favouring N uptake by mycorrhizas associated with the former.     

丛枝菌根真菌种群的孢子季相动态研究

以草坪为研究对象,研究草坪土壤中丛枝菌根真菌种群的孢子组成、孢子密度、物种丰富度、多样性及其季相变化规律。结果表明,丛枝菌根真菌孢子密度、物种丰富度和多样性指数在一年内随季节变化表现出一定的季相变化规律,三者均在冬季达到最高,在时间节律上与植物群落季相变化不同步;同时分析了气候因素(平均温度、降雨量和日照时间等)对丛枝菌根真菌的影响。结果表明,气候因素对孢子密度、物种丰富度和多样性指数均有显著影响。     

Infochemicals influencing the host foraging behaviour of Dahlbominus fuscipennis, a pupal parasitoid of the European spruce sawfly (Gilpinia hercyniae)

The chalcidoid wasp Dahlbominus fuscipennis Zett. (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) parasitises pupae of the European spruce sawfly Gilpinia hercyniae Htg. (Hymenoptera: Diprionidae). In this parasitoid-host system the role of infochemicals for successful parasitisation was studied. Olfactometer experiments and dual choice bioassays in petri dishes showed that D. fuscipennis was not attracted by volatiles from a plant-host complex consisting of spruce, sawfly larvae and pupae. On the other hand, odours from needles of Picea abies (L.), that were collected from the ground, attracted D. fuscipennis to the habitat of the sawfly. Volatiles from host pupae were not attractive, whereas a contact kairomone from sawfly pupae elicited frequent antennal drumming, a behaviour that indicates host recognition. This contact kairomone was extracted with methanol from the outer cocoon layer of the pupa. The kairomone is not produced by the silk glands of the last instar larva spinning the cocoon, since a methanolic extract of silk gland secretion did not elicit any response in D. fuscipennis. Further bioassays revealed that non-volatile components of the integument of the prepupa within the cocoon also elicited antennal drumming. We suggest that chemicals of the prepupal integument diffuse from inside the cocoon to the outside where they inform the parasitoid on the suitability of the host.     

Comparison of species diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in winter-rainfall areas of South Africa and summer-rainfall areas of Namibia

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and their mycorrhizae were studied in winter rainfall areas of western South Africa. The species composition, spore numbers, and mycorrhization were attempted to correlate with various abiotic factors. Mycorrhization of grasses was significantly correlated with pH and spore numbers and negatively correlated with electric conductivity, total N-content, and total P-content of the soils. Spore numbers were negatively correlated with electric conductivity and total N-content. These relationships observed for the winter rainfall area were compared to data available for summer rainfall areas in Namibia, where the same amount of rain falls. Factors influencing species distribution were geographic distance and to a lesser extent rainfall. Rainfall was a stronger determinant of species composition in the summer rainfall area than in the winter rainfall area. These findings show that abiotic factors alone are not sufficient in explaining species distribution, and that other factors (e.g. the availability of suitable host plants) have to be taken into account when comparing different study sites.     

Effects of forest gap on hemicellulose dynamics during foliar litter decomposition in an subalpine forest

 亚高山森林林窗可能通过改变冬季雪被格局和生长季水热环境影响林窗内凋落物中半纤维素的分解动态, 但目前对此还缺乏研究。采用凋落物分解袋法, 以亚高山森林5种典型物种岷江冷杉(Abies faxoniana)、红桦(Betula albosinensis)、四川红杉(Larix mastersiana)、方枝柏(Sabina saltuaria)和高山杜鹃(Rhododendron lapponicum)凋落物为研究对象, 研究雪被形成期、雪被覆盖期、雪被融化期和生长季节从林窗中心、林冠林窗、扩展林窗到郁闭林下物种凋落物的半纤维素变化特征。经历一年分解后, 5种凋落物的半纤维素均呈现净累积现象。针、阔叶凋落物半纤维素分别在雪被覆盖期和融化期表现出相对较高的损失率。在雪被覆盖期和融化期, 凋落物半纤维素在林窗中心和林冠林窗具有相对较高的损失率; 而在生长季节, 林窗中心呈现相对较低的凋落物半纤维素累积率。统计分析结果表明凋落物分解过程中半纤维素损失率与环境因子和凋落物质量因子均显著相关。这些结果表明亚高山森林林窗对凋落物分解过程中半纤维素损失率具有显著影响, 分别促进了半纤维素在冬季的损失以及抑制了半纤维素在生长季节的累积, 意味着亚高山森林林窗的形成有利于凋落物半纤维素的降解。     

贺兰山不同林分凋落物微生物群落特征与影响因素

贺兰山是我国重要生态屏障,贺兰山生态森林生态系统保护受到极大关注,森林凋落物及土壤微生物对全球气候变化研究具有重要意义。目前,贺兰山不同林分的凋落物分解过程中微生物群落结构特征差异、不同凋落物化学组成对微生物群落结构的影响尚不清楚。以贺兰山具有代表性的3种林分（油松林、青海云杉林以及油松-山杨混交林）凋落物为研究对象,开展凋落物化学组成、微生物群落组成及多样性特征研究,揭示不同林分凋落物的优势微生物群落特征和影响因子。结果表明,3种林分凋落物的细菌和真菌在多个多样性指数之间差异性均不显著,但是在多样性指数中真菌PD whole tree指数显著大于细菌,真菌Shannon指数与Ghao1指数却显著小于细菌。在门水平上不同林分凋落物的微生物优势菌类无显著差异,但在属水平上差异显著,而且细菌差异小于真菌,在各个分类水平上,凋落物细菌和真菌群落组成均表现为油松-山杨混交林＜青海云杉林＜青海云杉林,凋落物微生物多样性在青海云杉林中最为丰富。细菌不同节点间连接线负相关数量略大于正相关,真菌则相反。油松林凋落物与其它林分凋落物相比,微生物群落之间联系更加紧密。油松林凋落物OC含量最大、青海云杉林凋落物的TK含量最大、油松-山杨混交林的TN含量最大,且在3种林分中显著差异。相关性分析表明OC、TN、TP、TK是影响凋落物细菌和真菌群落组成及多样性的主要因素,冗余分析表明不同林分凋落物的微生物多样性指数受养分影响,凋落物OC、TN、TP、TK是影响微生物群落组成和多样性的重要因素,其中OC与微生物群落多样性相关性最显著,是影响凋落物细菌和真菌群落组成和多样性最主要的因子。     

Spore sensitivity to sunlight and freezing can restrict dispersal in wood‐decay fungi

Assessment of the costs and benefits of dispersal is central to understanding species'' life-history strategies as well as explaining and predicting spatial population dynamics in the changing world. While mortality during active movement has received much attention, few have studied the costs of passive movement such as the airborne transport of fungal spores. Here, we examine the potential of extreme environmental conditions to cause dispersal mortality in wood-decay fungi. These fungi play a key role as decomposers and habitat creators in forest ecosystems and the populations of many species have declined due to habitat loss and fragmentation. We measured the effect of simulated solar radiation (including ultraviolet A and B) and freezing at −25°C on the spore germinability of 17 species. Both treatments but especially sunlight markedly reduced spore germinability in most species, and species with thin-walled spores were particularly light sensitive. Extrapolating the species'' laboratory responses to natural irradiance conditions, we predict that sunlight is a relevant source of dispersal mortality at least at larger spatial scales. In addition, we found a positive effect of spore size on spore germinability, suggesting a trade-off between dispersal distance and establishment. We conclude that freezing and particularly sunlight can be important sources of dispersal mortality in wood-decay fungi which can make it difficult for some species to colonize isolated habitat patches and habitat edges.     

Fungal spore swelling and germination are restricted by the macrophage phagolysosome

Many species of medically important fungi are prolific in the formation of asexual spores. Spores undergo a process of active swelling and cell wall remodelling before a germ tube is formed and filamentous growth ensues. Highly elongated germ tubes are known to be difficult to phagocytose and pose particular challenges for immune phagocytes. However, the significance of the earliest stages of spore germination during immune cell interactions has not been investigated and yet this is likely to be important for defence against sporogenous fungal pathogens. We show here that macrophages restrict the early phases of the spore germination process of Aspergillus fumigatus and Mucor circinelloides including the initial phase of spore swelling, spore germination and early polarised growth. Macrophages are therefore adept at retarding germination as well as subsequent vegetative growth which is likely to be critical for immune surveillance and protection against sporulating fungi.