Diversity Of Freshwater Fungi Along Laoyu River

Freshwater fungi are important natural resources in agriculture,medicine,and the environment.However,human and industrial activities due to deforestation,irrigation,urbanization increase the amount of debris from different substrates,and their decomposition in the water,especially water bodies,affect the diversity of the freshwater fungi and the water quality.They are found in freshwaters at certain period or throughout their life.Freshwater fungi are categorized into leaf-inhabiting(ngoldian),wood decomposing(lignicolous)and the lower fungi.There is no report on the freshwater fungal diversity from river Laoyu,China.This study evaluated the diversity and morphological features of freshwater fungi in River Laoyu in China.The objectives of this study were;to evaluate the diversity and biology of freshwater fungi,and the potential application of freshwater fungi for environmental monitoring of River Laoyu,China;believed to have unique biodiversity.Sample of water and woody substrate were collected from the river in a plastic vials and zipper plastic bag,respectively.Freshwater fungi were classified based on traditional and morphological features,species key to monograph was used for reference.A total of 254 fresh specimens,from which 68 species were encountered and 26 pure cultures and 10 species from different clade were identified based on morphological features.Based on morphological data,two new ascomycetous and hyphomycetous like taxa were identified.Detailed morphological descriptions and notes were provided for taxa.This study provides a basis for further research on freshwater fungi diversity and the potential utilization of fungal resources for sustainable ecological and industrial development.