Abstract
Dead wood is an important habitat for both fungi and insects, two enormously diverse groups that contribute to forest biodiversity. Unlike the myriad of studies on fungus–insect relationships, insect communities on ascomycete sporocarps are less explored, particularly for those in hidden habitats such as underneath bark. Here, I present my observations of insect community dynamics on Biscogniauxia spp. on oak dead wood from the early anamorphic stage to matured teleomorph stage, aided by the debarking behaviour of squirrels probably targeting on these fungi. In total, 38 insect taxa were observed on Biscogniauxia spp. from March to November. The community composition was significantly correlated with the presence/absence of Biscogniauxia spp. Additionally, Librodor (Glischrochilus) ipsoides, Laemophloeus submonilis, and Neuroctenus castaneus were frequently recorded and closely associated with Biscogniauxia spp. along its change from anamorph to teleomorph. L. submonilis was positively associated with both the anamorph and teleomorph stages. L. ipsoides and N. castaneus were positively associated with only the teleomorph but not with the anamorph stage. N. castaneus reproduced and was found on Biscogniauxia spp. from June to November. These results suggest that sporocarps of Biscogniauxia spp. are important to these insect taxa, depending on their developmental stage.
Highlights
IntroductionIn particular, is a major group of saproxylic communities; they have a large impact on saproxylic communities due to their unique wood decay abilities [3], and their fruit bodies and spores are important to the diet of a variety of organisms, including protozoa [4], invertebrates [5], and vertebrates [6,7]
Dead wood is an essential component of biodiversity in forest ecosystems [1,2]
These results suggest that sporocarps of Biscogniauxia spp. are important to these insect taxa, depending on their developmental stage
Summary
In particular, is a major group of saproxylic communities; they have a large impact on saproxylic communities due to their unique wood decay abilities [3], and their fruit bodies and spores are important to the diet of a variety of organisms, including protozoa [4], invertebrates [5], and vertebrates [6,7]. A better understanding of the relationships between fungi and saproxylic communities is critical to clarifying the mechanisms that maintain biodiversity in forest ecosystems. In terms of their diversity and function, insects are another major group present within saproxylic communities [1]. Numerous studies have investigated the insect communities present on fungal fruit bodies, the majority of which are basidiomycetes [5,9,10]. Studies on the relationships between insect communities on ascomycete fruit bodies, a sister taxon of basidiomycetes which produces macroscopic fruit bodies, are quite limited, with examples of symbiotic associations in ambrosia beetles [25], woodwasps [26], and fungus-growing termites [27] and insect pathogens, such as in the genera
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