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Diversity of culturable fungi in six Tibetan Plateau lakes, with descriptions of eight new taxa

Summary

Scientists collected samples from six high-altitude salt lakes on the Tibetan Plateau and grew fungi in laboratory cultures. They found over 800 fungal strains representing 156 different species. Eight of these species had never been identified before, representing an exciting discovery of new fungi adapted to extreme cold and salty environments.

Background

The Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau contains thousands of saline/hypersaline lakes characterized by low temperature, low oxygen, high altitude, and intense UV radiation. These extreme ecosystems serve as important repositories of biodiversity, yet culturable fungal diversity in these lakes remains poorly studied. Culture-dependent methods remain crucial for understanding microorganisms and their exploitation.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the diversity of culturable fungi in sediment and water samples collected from six lakes located on the Tibetan Plateau at elevations above 4,500 m, with emphasis on identifying novel fungal taxa.

Results

A total of 843 fungal strains were isolated and assigned to 156 species across 83 genera, spanning 50 families, 26 orders, 12 classes, and 6 phyla. Eight new taxa were formally described including one new genus (Xizangia) and seven new species (Alternaria xizangensis, Emericellopsis ovoidea, Myceliophthora xizangica, Preussia cylindricalis, Preussia sedimenticola, Pseudeurotium sedimenticola, and Xizangia sedimenticola).

Conclusion

The examination of culturable mycobiota in six Tibetan Plateau lakes revealed rich fungal diversity and substantial species novelty. Cold-adapted fungi and genera frequently found in glacial environments were prevalent. Future research should integrate culture-independent methods to comprehensively elucidate fungal diversity, community composition, and ecological roles in these extreme ecosystems.
  • Published in:Mycology,
  • Study Type:Observational Study,
  • Source: 10.1080/21501203.2024.2333300, PMID: 40415910
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