Airborne myxomycete spores: detection using molecular techniques

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Aerobiology
• Molecular Ecology

Background:

• Myxomycetes exhibit a life cycle featuring a fruiting body stage that produces spores.
• Wind dispersal of myxomycete spores is crucial for colonization of new habitats.
• Understanding airborne fungal spore dynamics is vital for ecological studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the presence and temporal dynamics of airborne myxomycetes in atmospheric particles.
• To analyze the seasonal composition of airborne myxomycetes using molecular methods.
• To provide molecular evidence for spore dispersal in myxomycetes.

Main Methods:

• Collection of 21 aerosol samples from a building roof in Sapporo, Japan.
• Utilized polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods targeting Didymiaceae and Physaraceae families.
• Employed Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) and sequence analysis for PCR products.

Main Results:

• Airborne myxomycetes were detected in all samples, excluding those from the snowfall season.
• Seasonally varying banding patterns were observed through DGGE analysis.
• Sequence analysis confirmed the presence of airborne myxomycetes, with four sequences matching local fruiting body samples.

Conclusions:

• The study provides the first molecular evidence of airborne myxomycetes and their seasonal distribution.
• Seasonal changes in airborne myxomycete composition correlate with species' fruiting periods.
• Findings support the hypothesis that wind-driven spore dispersal is a significant factor in myxomycete life history.