ibclogo XVI International Botanical Congess

Abstract Number: 4036
Poster No. = 97


DISTRIBUTION PREDICTORS OF THE TRICHOMYCETE FUNGUS HARPELLA MELUSINAE AMONG STREAMS IN THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES


C. E. Beard1, J. W. McCreadie1, P. H. Adler1, T. M. McInnis2, 1Department of Entomology, 2Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, 29634, USA


Trichomycetes (Zygomycota) are cosmopolitan, obligate commensals of insect guts. Although common, they are poorly known ecologically. This study examines the distribution of Harpella melusinae (Harpellales: Harpellaceae), a symbiont of larval (stream-inhabiting)black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae), over different spatial scales and twoseasons. Larval infection rates among streams varied from 0.0 to 96.0%. Infection rate was related to stream-site conditions, ecoregion, and season, using stepwise multiple regression. Larval infection rate was significantly (p<<0.05) associated with ecoregion, date, and stream-site conditions. Thus biogeographic, landscape, and time variables influenced trichomycete distribution.

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