Richness of ingoldian fungi and aquatic facultative fungi in the Parque Municipal do Carmo, São Paulo, São Paulo State, Brazil

ABSTRACT

The richness of ingoldian fungi, aquatic facultative fungi, and some abiotic variables were evaluated in some lakes and streams of the Parque do Carmo, in the city of São Paulo, in São Paulo State. Monthly collections of submerged mixed leaf samples were carried out from March 2007 to June 2009. Additionally, the temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen and conductivity were measured using a multi-probe. In the laboratory, leaves were washed, divided into fragments (1 cm²), incubated in sterile distilled water (30 days, 22 °C) and analyzed under microscope for fungal identification by means of the current literature. Thirty-five fungal taxa were obtained, which were divided into 22 ingoldian fungi (more frequent in the streams), and 13 aquatic facultative fungi (more frequent in the lakes). The richness of the mycota in the dry and cold seasons was similar to that of the rainy and hot seasons, but it decreased in the dry and hot periods. The climatic season had a greater influence on fungal richness than the type of collection site, with positive correlations between the mycota, the temperature and the electrical conductivity of the water. The Parque do Carmo presents a considerable richness of ingoldian and aquatic facultative fungi, and offers interesting aquatic environments for studies related to the seasonal climatic influence on the urban aquatic mycota.

Keywords:
climatic conditions; freshwater fungi; fungal diversity; urban waters