485
© 2017 J. Cramer in Gebr. Borntraeger Verlagsbuchhandlung, Stuttgart, www.borntraeger-cramer.de
Germany. DOI: 10.1127/nova_hedwigia/2017/0448 0029-5035/2017/0448 $ 3.25
Nova Hedwigia Vol. 106 (2018) Issue 3–4, 485–497
published online November 7, 2017; published in print May 2018
Article
C
Maximum temperature for growth and reproduction is
similar in two soil isolates of Gaertneriomyces semiglobifer
(Spizellomycetales, Chytridiomycetes) from different soil
environments in north eastern New South Wales, Australia
Linda Henderson*, Mai-Anh Ly, Katie Robinson, Frank H. Gleason and
Osu Lilje
University of Sydney, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Macleay Building A12,
University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
With 3 fgures and 2 tables
Abstract: Two isolates of the zoosporic fungus, Gaertneriomyces semiglobifer (order Spizello-mycetales),
one from a semi-arid region and one from a mild temperate region of New South Wales, Australia,
had similar patterns of growth and sporulation in response to increased temperatures. Both strains of
G. semiglobifer were able to grow in temperatures up to a maximum of 37°C and were able to recover
growth after incubation on solid PYG media for 7 days at 40 but not 42°C. Both strains produced
viable zoospores when incubated on solid PYG media for 7 days at up to 40 but not 42°C. The two
strains grew at similar rates in liquid PYG media. Both strains increased in growth over time at 25°C
and initially increased in growth at 37°C to 62 hours, but after that growth declined. Changes in rates
of zoospore release for both strains were similar to changes in biomass as temperature increased,
except for large increases in zoospore release for both isolates when incubated at 37°C. If temperature
causes similar effects in the field it is expected that growth and reproduction of the fungus will be
reduced in summer months when daytime air temperatures exceed 37°C. This may have implications
for the geographical distribution and abundance of G. semiglobifer in the soils of NSW.
Key words: Zoosporic fungi, Chytrids, Spizellomycetales, temperature, fungal growth rate.
Introduction
Although there have been many studies estimating the most likely responses of
individual animal and plant species to large temperature increases predicted in the future
due to global warming (Hochachka & Somero 2002, Atkin & Tjoelker 2003) there are
only a few studies addressing the ability of soil fungi to adapt to similar temperature
*Corresponding author: lhen2084@uni.sydney.edu.au
eschweizerbart_xxx