Diversity of microfungi in the sandy soil of Ipanema Beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The mycobiota of the sandy soil of Ipanema Beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was investigated in 144 sand samples collected at four different sites along the sea coast, divided into three subsites, for a period of one year. A total of 4285 yeast colonies and of 6956 of colonies filamentous fungi were isolated using conventional media and techniques. Representatives of the filamentous fungi corresponding to a total of 1334 colonies were identified and assigned to 34 genera and 170 species. The genera of highest incidence and their respective numbers of species were as follows: Aspergillus, 30.4%, 32 spp.; Penicillium, 16.2%, 35 spp.; Fusarium, 12,6%, 33 spp.; Trichoderma, 6.4%, 7 spp.; Paecilomyces, 3.7%, 10 spp.; Cladosporium, 3.1%, 8 spp. and Acremonium, 1.0%, 8 spp. Several other genera and species were detected at quite low occurrences. Non-sporulating fungi (18.3%) and Coelomycetes (Sphaeropsidales) (1.9%) were also detected. Most of the genera detected belonged to the Deuteromycotina, with fewer proportions belonging to the Ascomycotina and Zygomycotina. Moniliaceae was represented by the largest number of species and Dematiaceae was represented by the largest number of genera. In terms of seasonal distribution, the largest number of filamentous fungi was isolated during the winter and the smallest number the Summer.