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DNA Barcoding Survey of Trichoderma Diversity in Soil and Litter of the Colombian Lowland Amazonian Rainforest Reveals Trichoderma strigosellum sp. nov. and Other Species

Summary

This research explored the diversity of fungi called Trichoderma in the Amazon rainforest of Colombia. The scientists discovered several species, including one that was previously unknown to science. These fungi play important roles in decomposing dead plant material and recycling nutrients in the forest ecosystem. Impact on everyday life: • Helps understand how tropical forests maintain their fertility through natural decomposition processes • Provides new fungal species that could potentially be used in agriculture or industry • Contributes to biodiversity conservation by documenting species before potential habitat loss • May lead to discovery of new beneficial compounds or enzymes • Improves our understanding of how ecosystems respond to environmental changes

Background

The Amazon area is one of the largest regions on Earth covered with tropical rain forests and is one of the most biodiverse ecosystems with approximately 60,000 species of vascular plants. While plant diversity has been well studied, the diversity and ecology of microfungi remains relatively underexplored. Fungi play central roles in forest ecosystems, including decomposition of plant litter and nutrient cycling.

Objective

To investigate the diversity of Trichoderma species colonizing leaf litter and rhizosphere of Garcinia macrophylla in primary and secondary rain forests in Colombian Amazonia, and to discuss the potential of these fungi for leaf litter decomposition.

Results

The study revealed 15 Trichoderma species, including four putative new species. The diversity was dominated (71%) by three common cosmopolitan species: Trichoderma harzianum sensu lato (41%), Trichoderma spirale (17%) and Trichoderma koningiopsis (13%). Four ITS phylotypes could not be identified with certainty. Multigene phylogenetic analysis revealed a new sister species of T. strigosum, described as Trichoderma strigosellum sp. nov.

Conclusion

The Amazon region harbors a rich pool of Trichoderma species, including previously undescribed species. The diversity was dominated by cosmopolitan species with high opportunistic potential. The newly described T. strigosellum appears to have a pantropical distribution, being found in soils of Malaysia and Cameroon. The study enhances understanding of Trichoderma’s role in important ecological processes like nutrient cycling in Amazon ecosystems.
  • Published in:Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek,
  • Study Type:Field Study,
  • Source: 10.1007/s10482-013-9975-4
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