Ingoldian fungal assemblages from Brazilian rainforests, shrubland and savanna

Ingoldian fungi are a dominant group in aquatic environments. However, they are poorly known and studied, especially in the tropics. To increase knowledge about their diversity and distribution, samples of foam and decaying submerged leaves were collected from 12 areas in Brazil across four biomes (Amazon, Atlantic Forest, Caatinga, and Cerrado). Slides were deposited in the HUEFS Herbarium. Thirty-five taxa were identified from foam and 24 from leaf spore suspension. These were distributed in five classes, mostly belonging to Ascomycota, with Leotiomycetes being the most representative class. Angulospora aquatica, Biflagellosporella amazonensis, Isthmotricladia laeensis and Lateriramulosa bi-inflata are new records for Brazil; Variocladium rangiferinum and Tricladium fuscum are new records for the Neotropics; and Polylobatispora deltoidea is a new record for the Americas. Description, illustration, and geographical distribution details are provided for the new records. The study showed a high richness of Ingoldian fungi and provides a basis for determining the biodiversity and ultimate conservation of the studied areas.

Automated summary

Ingoldian fungi are a dominant group in aquatic environments, but they are poorly studied, especially in the tropics. A study in Brazil found several new records of these fungi, which contributes to our understanding of biodiversity and conservation in the studied areas.