The spatial distribution of fungi on decomposing alder leaves in a freshwater stream

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Abstract
Transects were cut from alder leaves incubated in a freshwater stream and plated as quadrats so that fungal isolates could be mapped by reconstruction of each transect. Initially there was fewer than one aquatic hyphomycete colonist per quadrat, but the mode increased to 6–7 then progressively decreased to Cladosporium, Epicoccum and Fusarium were important colonizers. The first two appear to be inhibited by aquatic hyphomycetes, but were found to degrade substrates representative of cell-wall polymers vigorously whereas aquatic hyphomycetes showed varied degradative ability. Leaf transects were examined by S.E.M. and epifluorescent microscopy so that hyphal colonization could be followed at progressive stages of leaf degradation. Bacteria on transects were patchily distributed, the temporal pattern indicating inhibition by aquatic hyphomycetes and colonization of senescent hyphae.