Abstract Detail

Poster Session

Sandona, Katrina [1], Tobias, Terri [1], Kuske, Cheryl R [2], Belnap, Jayne [3], Porras-Alfaro, Andrea [1].

Distribution of Dark Septate Fungi in Different Desert Soil Microenvironments.

Biological soil crusts (BSC) are complex microbial communities that include fungi, bacteria and photosynthetic organisms such as cyanobacteria, lichens, or mosses.  BSC are commonly found on the surface of desert soils worldwide and are essential for preventing soil surface erosion and enhancing the soil nutrient content.  The objective of this study was to characterize fungal taxa from various types of BSC and determine potential differences in the distribution of dark septate fungi (DSF) in soil microenvironments. Soil samples were collected on the soil surface and 5cm below the BSC in an arid grassland near Castle Valley, UT. Additionally, rhizosphere soils were collected from two dominant grasses (perennial bunchgrass Hilaria and annual invasive grass Bromus) at the site.  Serial dilutions were plated on MEA and DSF colonization was quantified.  Pure fungal cultures were isolated and sequenced using the ITS rRNA region.  Abundance of DSF isolates was recorded and compared with environmental sequence data. We have identified 196 isolates representing at least 48 different OTUs. The most dominant genera included Aspergillus, Coniochaeta, Embellisia, Fusarium, Trametes, and Penicillium.  DSF were more prevalent in cyanobacteria, lichen, and moss dominated biocrusts in comparison with rhizosphere samples or samples collected 5cm below the crust. Preliminary data from this study suggest differential distribution and dominance of DSF in the different desert microenvironments that could be important for protection and survival of the photosynthetic component of BSCs.

1 - Western Illinois University, Department of Biological Sciences, 1 University Circle , Macomb, IL, 61455, USA
2 - Los Alamos National Lab, Enviornmental Microbiology, P.O. Box 1663 , Los Alamos, NM, 87545, USA
3 - US Geological Survey, Climate Variability & Change, 2290 S. West Resource Blvd, Moab, UT, 84532, USA

Keywords:
none specified

Presentation Type: Offered Paper - Poster
Session: P6
Location: Lincoln Room/Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center
Date: Tuesday, June 10th, 2014
Time: 8:00 PM
Number: P6004
Abstract ID:121
Candidate for Awards:Graduate Student Poster Presentation Award