環境

Fungi are known to play important roles as decomposers of leaf litters in the upstream of rivers.

Yet, their roles in the downstream and estuaries are still not known.

This study revealed diverse fungi existed even in the downstream of Tama river, and the community composition differed between microhabitats (riffles, pools and biofilm).

The fungi detected in riffles were mainly unidentified fungi whose ecology are unknown.

They turned out to be able to utilize diverse substrates. In pools, dominant fungi are ectomycorrhiza which lived on the plant roots in the soil.

Gradient of fungal community composition from estuary to inner Tokyo bay also suggested that typhoon and heavy rains might have facilitated the inputs of terrestrial fungi into the water.

We need to clarify the ecology of unidentified fungi and their roles in the organic matter decomposition to contribute to the water and ecosystem management.

Takeshi MIKI