Open AccessStructural and functional variation in soil fungal communities associated with litter bags containing maize leaf
Author(s) -
Kuramae Eiko E.,
Hillekens Remy H.E.,
Hollander Mattias,
Heijden Marcel G. A.,
den Berg Marlies,
Straalen Nico M.,
Kowalchuk George A.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
fems microbiology ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.377
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1574-6941
pISSN - 0168-6496
DOI - 10.1111/1574-6941.12080
Subject(s) - basidiomycota , biology , ascomycota , botany , litter , pyrosequencing , organic matter , microfungi , soil microbiology , 18s ribosomal rna , soil organic matter , ribosomal rna , ecology , gene , soil water , genetics
Soil fungi are key players in the degradation of recalcitrant organic matter in terrestrial ecosystems. To examine the organisms and genes responsible for complex organic matter degradation in soil, we tracked changes in fungal community composition and expressed genes in soil adjacent to mesh bags containing maize leaves undergoing decomposition. Using high‐throughput sequencing approaches, changes in fungal community composition were determined by targeting 18S rRNA gene sequences, whereas community gene expression was examined via a metatranscriptomic approach. The majority of the 93 000 partial 18S rRNA gene sequences generated, were affiliated with the A scomycota and B asidiomycota . Fungal diversity was at least 224 operational taxonomic units at the 97% similarity cutoff level. During litter degradation, the relative proportion of B asidiomycota increased, with a decrease in A scomycota : B asidiomycota ratios over time. The most commonly detected decomposition‐associated fungi included A garicomycetes and T remellales as well as unclassified M ucoromycotina . The majority of protein families found in the metatranscriptomic data were affiliated to fungal groups described to degrade plant‐derived cellulose, such as M ucoraceae , C haetomiaceae , S ordariaceae , S ebacinaceae , T remellaceae , P sathyrellaceae and S chizophyllaceae . The combination of high‐throughput rRNA gene‐based and metatranscriptomic approaches provided perspectives into the organisms and genes involved in complex organic matter in soil.