Revealing hidden insect-fungus interactions; moderately specialized, modular and anti-nested detritivore networks.

ABSTRACT: Ecological networks are composed of interacting communities that influence ecosystem structure and function. Fungi are the driving force for ecosystem processes such as decomposition and carbon sequestration in terrestrial habitats, and are strongly influenced by interactions with invertebrates. Yet, interactions in detritivore communities have rarely been considered from a network perspective. In the present study, we analyse the interaction networks between three functional guilds of fungi and insects sampled from dead wood. Using DNA metabarcoding to identify fungi, we reveal a diversity of interactions differing in specificity in the detritivore networks, involving three guilds of fungi. Plant pathogenic fungi were relatively unspecialized in their interactions with insects inhabiting

SUBMITTER: Jacobsen RM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5904312 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature