Biodiversity of fungi on the palm Eleiodoxa conferta in Sirindhorn peat swamp forest, Narathiwat, Thailand

Abstract

This study focuses on the saprobic fungi occurring on decaying palm material of Eleiodoxa conferta at Sirindhorn peat swamp forest, Narathiwat Province, Thailand. In this survey, 462 fungal records were made from seven field collections in May, June, September and November (2001) and February, May and November (2002). Two hundred and fifty-one records were identified to species level, 176 to generic level while 35 records were unidentified. Of the 112 taxa identified 43 (38%) were ascomycetes, 67 (60%) anamorphic fungi and 2 (2%) basidiomycetes. Different parts of E. conferta support differing fungi: dry (aerial) material supported 17% of the fungal records, damp (moist and on the surface of the soil) material 34.5%, while submerged wet material had the most fungal records (48.5%). The percentage abundances of fungi on different parts of E. conferta were petioles 53%, rachides 30% and leaves 17%. Many of the taxa collected are new to science. Eleiodoxa conferta has been shown to support a rich diversity of fungi that differ significantly from those on terrestrial and brackish water palms. Eight new species and one genus have been described from this palm, while 12 taxa await description.