Species Assemblages of Tree Canopy Myxomycetes Related to Bark pH

Scarborough, Angela R.; Keller, Harold W.; Ely, Joseph S.

doi:10.2179/08-020.1

Cited by 9 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Species richness of microalgae in biofilms was primarily correlated with the bark surface pH, which is determined by the host tree species. The effect of pH, indirectly coupled with the availability of nutrients (ellis 2012), has widely been recognised as a key factor structuring the diversity and community structure of aerial or semi-terrestrial microalgae (hoffmaNN 1989, johaNseN 2010, hájek et al 2011, ress & lowe 2013, as well as corticolous lichens and mosses (e.g., BarkmaN 1958, GoNzáLez-maNceBo et al 2003 and myxomycetes (scarBorouGh et al 2009). Many OTUs were only found in samples with higher bark pH, but we did not find any evidence of strictly acidophilic taxa.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Community structure of corticolous microalgae within a single forest stand: evaluating the effects of bark surface pH and tree species

Štifterová¹,

Neustupa²

2015

Fottea

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Community structure of corticolous macro-epiphytes, such as lichens and mosses, usually strongly correlates with bark characteristics related to the taxonomic identity of the host tree. However, the reasons for the occurrence of similar patterns of microalgal corticolous biofilms are unclear and have rarely been investigated. In this study, we surveyed aerial phototrophic biofilms growing on the bark of Acer, Alnus, Fagus, Fraxinus and Picea trees in a single stand of a temperate forest. A flathead electrode was used to measure and evaluate the effect of bark surface pH on microalgal species richness and composition. In total, 47 distinct morphotypes were found, chiefly consisting of various coccoid green algae belonging to Trebouxiophyceae and Chlorophyceae. In addition, members of the Bacillariophyceae, Eustigmatophyceae, Streptophyta, Trentepohliales, Xanthophyceae and Cyanobacteria were also found. Bark pH and species richness of the samples were positively correlated; in the most acidic samples (from Picea and Alnus trees), only green algae occured. Aerial diatoms, Cyanobacteria, Xanthophyceae and Trentepohlia sp. were only found in the more basic samples. The species composition was significantly structured by the separated effects of host tree species, the bark pH and the sampling season. The observed non-random differences in community structure of the biofilms among host tree species indicated possible effects of deterministic processes, such as species sorting of microalgae along the environmental gradients.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Community structure of corticolous microalgae within a single forest stand: evaluating the effects of bark surface pH and tree species

Štifterová¹,

Neustupa²

2015

Fottea

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“…The relationship between pH and community structure is well known for epiphytic lichens and bryophytes (e.g. Marmor & Randlane 2007, Fritz et al 2009 and myxomycetes (Scarborough et al 2009). The host tree species is often taken as a proxy for the bark pH, but several studies have shown that the actual pH of bark samples may vary considerably between different individuals of the same tree species (Reisner & Ots 2002, Marmor & Randlane 2007.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution patterns of subaerial corticolous microalgae in two European regions

Neustupa

2013

Plecevo

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Background and aims-Subaerial phototrophic biofilms growing on tree bark represent one of the leastknown micro-algal communities. Ecological distribution patterns of major micro-algal groups thriving in corticolous microhabitats on eleven host tree species in sub-Mediterranean and temperate European localities were investigated in the present study. Methods-In total, 169 samples of corticolous biofilms were investigated by direct light microscopy. Microalgae were identified to the lowest putatively monophyletic groups that could be distinguished unambiguously. Among other abiotic factors, the pH of the bark surface was measured using a flathead electrode, and the proportion of open sky at individual sites was evaluated by image analysis of fisheye circular photographs. Key results-The distribution of the putatively trebouxiophycean coccoid green algae was mostly related to microscale factors, such as sample orientation on trunks. Conversely, the distribution of Trentepohliales and Cyanobacteria was related mostly to bark pH values and to regional differences between temperate and sub-Mediterranean localities. The distribution of some streptophytan taxa, such as Mesotaenium or Spirotaenia, was closely related to particular host tree species. Conclusions-Individual major groups of corticolous algae and Cyanobacteria in European ecosystems have distinctly different ecological strategies in relation to important abiotic factors.

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“…More recently, moist chamber bark cultures from various tree species show corticolous myxomycete fruiting bodies are associated with either a more acidic pH near 4.0, or a more neutral pH of 7.0. Such pH-specific myxomycetes are considered specialists, while those that occur on a broader range of pH values are considered generalists Everhart et al 2009;Keller et al 2008;Keller et al 2009;Kilgore et al 2008;Kilgore et al 2009;Scarborough et al 2009). Furthermore, many of these species are tiny (less than 1 mm) and produce small protoplasmodia that give rise to single fruiting bodies, often resulting in a patchy distribution Everhart et al 2009).…”

Section: Corticolous Myxomycetesmentioning

confidence: 99%

A new iridescent corticolous myxomycete species (Licea: Liceaceae: Liceales) and crystals on American elm tree bark in Texas, U.S.A.

Keller

Marshall

2019

J. Bot. Res. Inst. Texas

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A Licea species new to science is described on the bark surface of living American elm (Ulmus americana L.) cultured in moist chambers. It is characterized by an iridescent peridium on the sides of the sporangium, a black apical circular patch of globular debris, and dark reddish black spores that are smooth over half the surface and ridged-reticulate over the other half with the paler thinner wall collapsing into a coffee-bean shape. This combination of morphological characters is distinct and separates this taxon from all other species of Licea. The history of moist chamber culture use and field collection of corticolous myxomycetes is reviewed. The discovery of crystals of unknown origin on the bark surface of American elms associated with Licea species are illustrated with light microscope photography and scanning electron microscopy. Light microscope images and habit photographs were made using multi-focus imaging and computer stacking to increase depth of field and provide illustrations in color of sporangial structures of the new Licea species. This tiny short-stalked Licea approximately 100 um in height, and with distinctive external and internal morphological characters, was photographed using scanning electron microscopy. Dark-spored versus light-spored species of Licea are reviewed and compared with the most recent molecular analysis as this relates to the genus Licea. This paper is the first in a series that will document the discovery of Licea fruiting bodies of four new species on American elms in nature parks near Fort Worth, Texas.

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Species Assemblages of Tree Canopy Myxomycetes Related to Bark pH

Cited by 9 publications

References 7 publications

Community structure of corticolous microalgae within a single forest stand: evaluating the effects of bark surface pH and tree species

Community structure of corticolous microalgae within a single forest stand: evaluating the effects of bark surface pH and tree species

Distribution patterns of subaerial corticolous microalgae in two European regions

A new iridescent corticolous myxomycete species (Licea: Liceaceae: Liceales) and crystals on American elm tree bark in Texas, U.S.A.

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