Fungal succession on senescent leaves of Castanopsis diversifolia in Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, Thailand

Abstract

Senescent leaves of Castanopsis diversifolia were collected and subjected to different treatments to follow fungal colonization and succession. Sixty sterilized leaves were hung 4 metres above the ground under the C. diversifolia canopy. Sixty sterilized leaves and 60 unsterilised leaves were laid on the forest floor. Ten leaves were sterilized and incubated in plastic containers as a control for sterility. The study yielded 112 taxa (19 ascomycetes, 4 basidiomycetes, 1 myxomycete and 88 anamorphic taxa) during the 4-month incubation period. The sterile hanging leaves harboured the highest diversity with 65 taxa, while unsterile leaves on the forest floor yielded 55 taxa and sterile leaves on the forest floor yielded 53 taxa. Highest fungal diversity was reached at different times for each treatment. Fungal distribution patterns, origins and functional roles in leaf decomposition are discussed.