Prevalence and seasonality of two Harpellales (Zygomycotina: Trichomycetes) species living in the guts of aquatic insects in phytotelmata environments at Punta Lara, Buenos Aires province, Argentina

SIRI, A., LOPEZ LASTRA, C.C., DIKGOLZ, V.E., MICIELI, M.V. AND GIAMBELLUCA, L.

Asheville, Carolina del Norte, USA

Congreso; Annual meeting of the Mycological society of America; 2004

Mycological Society of America MSA

Abstract Author (s): *Siri, Augusto, Lopez Lastra, Claudia C., Dikgolz, Vanesa E., Micieli, Maria V. and Giambelluca, Luis. Adress (es): CEPAVE Centro de Estudios Parasitologicos y de Vectores. Calle 2 N° 584 (1900) La Plata Argentina. E.mail: ccll@museo.fcnym.unlp.edu.ar Title: Prevalence and seasonality of two Harpellales (Zygomycotina: Trichomycetes) species living in the guts of aquatic insects in phytotelmata environments at Punta Lara, Buenos Aires province, Argentina. Abstract text: Two species of Harpellales, <i>Smittium</i> sp. and <i>Stachylina</i> sp., have been identified from hindguts and midguts of Chironomidae larvae (Insecta: Diptera) living in leaf axils (phytotelmata) at Punta Lara, Buenos Aires province. Samplings were obtained every two weeks by sucking up water from the axils of individual <i>Eryngium cabrerae</i> and <i>Cortaderia</i> sp. plants from January 2003 to March 2004. Ten plants selected randomly were sampled. The volume, pH and temperature of the rain water in the leaf axils were measured. The larvae were dissected in the laboratory under stereo and phase-contrast microscopes, and the guts were observed for the presence of trichomycete fungi. Thalli of <i>Smittium</i> sp. were found in the hindgut and <i>Stachylina</i> sp. in the midgut of Chironomidae larvae. Prevalence of fungi was determined throughout the year. <i>Smittium<i/> sp. was constant during most of the year, but was not recorded in January, February, April, June and July 2003 nor in January 2004. <i>Stachylina</i> sp. was recorded most of the time except from February to July 2003, and January, February and March 2004. Prevalence and seasonality are reported for both fungal species as well as the relation of fungal presence to environmental factors.