Community structure and succession of fungi in the forefront of Tianshan No. 1 glacier, China

Abstract:

[Objective] The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of environment factors on fungal communities during succession periods along the chrono-sequence in forefront of Tianshan No. 1 glacier.[Methods] Fungal community composition in oligotrophic environment on the forefront of a receding glacier was analyzed by sequencing of 18S rRNA gene fragment of DNA samples from cryoconite and sub-and proglacial sediment near the glacier terminus.[Results] Fungal sequences obtained from zone represented 5 fungal phyla:Ascomycota (52.7%), Basidiomycota (16.9%), Chytridiomycota (15.1%), Zygomycota (2.4%) and Glomeromycota (1.2%). Although the proportion of Ascomycota outclass Basidiomycota-related sequences was identified in younger substrate, Basidiomycota sequences related to Microbotryomycetes, Tremellomycetes and Agaricomycetes increased gradually along the chrono-sequence. Representative sequences related to parasitic, pathogenic and airborne fungal lineages showed deposition of ecdemic fungi and anthropogenic activities directly or indirectly influenced fungal composition and spatial distribution in glacier ecosystem.[Conclusion] Our results suggest the forefront of Tianshan No. 1 glacier provide a favorable platforms for diversity and community succession of fungi adapted to oligotrophic, no vegetated and cold conditions. The different community structure was observed during succession periods along the chrono-sequence in forefront of Tianshan No. 1 glacier.