High-throughput sequencing to reveal fungal diversity in hot springs of Rehai at Tengchong in Yunnan

Abstract:

[Objective] Fungal diversity and community structures were revealed in Rehai hot springs in Tengchong, Yunnan, and effects of sediment geochemical properties on fungal distribution were analyzed.[Methods] Fungal ITS genes were detected in the sediment metagenomes by high-throughput pyrosequencing and bioinformatic analysis.[Results] Total 343484 valid reads from 5 hot springs were obtained, and these reads included 5 phyla, 20 classes, and 66 orders. The hot springs Jiemeiquan right (JMQR), Jiemeiquan left (JMQL), Hamazui (M), Qiaoquan (QQ) and Gumingquan (GMQP) were dominated by communities such as Agaricales, Eurotiales, Capnodiales, and Hypocreales. A total of 365 genera were discovered in the hot springs studied. There were total 212 genera detected in JMQR, 197 in JMQL, 222 in M, 270 in QQ, and 179 in GMQP. Schizophyllum was a dominant genus of fungal community in JMQR, and Penicillium was highly frequent in JMQL. Cladosporium dominanted fungal community in M and QQ, and Engyodontium was highly rich in GMQP. The geochemical variables such as NH₄⁺, temperature, and pH, exerted effects on distribution of different dominant fungi in the hot springs. The pH in the hot springs had significant effect on fungal community composition.[Conclusion] Rehai hot springs in Tengchong, Yunnan, harbor surprisingly fungal diversity. Fungi in different samples had distinct community structures. The pH in the hot springs could be one of the factors determining the fungal community.