Functional Diversity of the Litter-Associated Fungi from an Oxalate-Carbonate Pathway Ecosystem in Madagascar
Details
Serval ID
serval:BIB_4986D33628C5
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Functional Diversity of the Litter-Associated Fungi from an Oxalate-Carbonate Pathway Ecosystem in Madagascar
Journal
Microorganisms
ISSN
2076-2607
Publication state
Published
Issued date
01/05/2021
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
9
Number
5
Pages
985
Language
english
Abstract
The oxalate-carbonate pathway (OCP) is a biogeochemical process linking oxalate oxidation and carbonate precipitation. Currently, this pathway is described as a tripartite association involving oxalogenic plants, oxalogenic fungi, and oxalotrophic bacteria. While the OCP has recently received increasing interest given its potential for capturing carbon in soils, there are still many unknowns, especially regarding the taxonomic and functional diversity of the fungi involved in this pathway. To fill this gap, we described an active OCP site in Madagascar, under the influence of the oxalogenic tree Tamarindus indica, and isolated, identified, and characterized 50 fungal strains from the leaf litter. The fungal diversity encompassed three phyla, namely Mucoromycota, Ascomycota, and Basidiomycota, and 23 genera. Using various media, we further investigated their functional potential. Most of the fungal strains produced siderophores and presented proteolytic activities. The majority were also able to decompose cellulose and xylan, but only a few were able to solubilize inorganic phosphate. Regarding oxalate metabolism, several strains were able to produce calcium oxalate crystals while others decomposed calcium oxalate. These results challenge the current view of the OCP by indicating that fungi are both oxalate producers and degraders. Moreover, they strengthen the importance of the role of fungi in C, N, Ca, and Fe cycles.
Keywords
Tamarindus indica, calcium oxalate crystals, oxalotrophy, litter, carbon cycle, oxalogenic tree, Kirindy forest
Open Access
Yes
Funding(s)
Swiss National Science Foundation
Create date
25/05/2021 8:17
Last modification date
24/12/2022 6:44