Fungal phylogenetic diversity in estuarine sediments of Gautami Godavari River, Andhra Pradesh, India
Abstract
Mangroves are a unique ecosystem that experiences fluctuations in salinity which is influenced by terrestrial and marine environment, tidal waves and wind velocity. The aforesaid factors provide a suitable environment for phylogenetically and physiologically diverse microorganisms to grow in a mangrove ecosystem. The present study was initiated to characterize the phylogenetic diversity of fungi in the sediments collected from Bhairavapalem estuary situated on the mouth of Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh, India. Fungi were isolated using serial-dilution method on potato dextrose agar medium amended with chloramphenicol. The isolated fungi were identified to belong in Aspergillus allahabadi, A. sydowii, A. terreus and Penicillium shearii clades in an ITS-based phylogenetic tree. Further studies employing a polyphasic approach are required to improve our understanding of genetic diversity, including cryptic species, of fungi those survive and flourish in dynamic marine niches such as estuaries in India
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