The autumn communities of freshwater hyphomycetes in the tributaries of the River Neelum

Abstract

Freshwater hyphomycete communities of autumn, based on data generated by three techniques used simultaneously, were richer than those detected by these techniques used singly. The fungal communities in the acidic streams were poorer (28–32 species) than in the circumneutral streams (39–64 species). No significant correlation was found between number of fungal species and pH of the stream water. Combining the data from this study with those of studies by other authors using the same techniques, linear correlation and regression analyses revealed the significant negative correlation between species composition of communities in a stream and its pH. The number of fungal species in assemblages detected by different techniques used singly (e.g., filtration of stream water or examination of foam concentrate) or communities based on data generated by these techniques used simultaneously versus pH values formed a unimodal curve with a maximum at a pH between 6 and 7, mostly at 6.7. The conidial dynamics were influenced by the riparian vegetation. Conidium production from submerged deciduous and conifer litter was determined under laboratory conditions. Generally conidium production per disc was higher for Anguillospora longissima (Sacc. & Syd) Ingold, Flagellospora cumula Ingold, Lunulospora curvula Ingold, and Tetracladium marchalianum de Wildeman in deciduous leaves than conifer leaves. Heliscus lugdunensis Sacc. & Therry, Alatospora acuminata Ingold, and Articulospora tetracladia Ingold produced more conidia per disc in conifer than in deciduous leaves. Percentage similarity between spora produced by submerged substrate and stream spora was higher for deciduous substratum than for coniferous substratum in five circumneutral streams with a riparian vegetation dominated by deciduous trees. This index was higher for coniferous substratum in three acidic streams in which coniferous and deciduous trees were evenly distributed. The fungal communities in the Nosehri, Pathika, and Jabbar Camp streams showed higher values of species diversity than in other streams. Key words: freshwater, hyphomycetes, species diversity.