Spatial distribution of genets in populations of saprotrophic basidiomycetes, Mycetinis alliaceus, Marasmius rotula and Gymnopus androsaceus, from Serbian and Montenegrin forests

Abstract

Saprotrophic basidiomycetes play a crucial role in leaf-litter decomposition, especially in nitrogen-limited boreal and temperate forests. Populations of this group of fungi have been inadequately investigated. We examined the populations of three different saprotrophic species (Mycetinis alliaceus, Marasmius rotula and Gymnopus androsaceus) in forests in Serbia and Montenegro. To determine the distribution of genets at each of the three investigated sites, molecular analysis was conducted using the inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) method. Seven to fifteen genets (genotypes, individuals) were identified on each site and the majority of them were represented by a single sporocarp. The sizes of the genets with two or more sporocarps were estimated to range from 0.3 to 4.0 m. Results obtained in this study suggest that populations of these three species can consist of numerous and relatively small genets.