Wood decay fungi and their bacterial interaction partners in the built environment – A systematic review on fungal bacteria interactions in dead wood and timber

Abstract

Microbial biodeterioration of timber and woody material in buildings can cause costly restoration procedures. Here, we focus on Serpula lacrymans (commonly known as dry-rot) the fungus causing the most severe damages to buildings in Europe. Although its morphology, lifestyle, and dispersal have been intensively studied, research on microorganisms sharing the same habitat and interacting with the dry-rot fungus is not as comprehensive. Bacteria have long been known to inhabit dead wood, and several studies have shown their association to fungi. However, their identity, ecology, and putative interactions with co-existing fungi in dead wood remains largely underexplored. The interactions of bacterial and fungi have considerable impact on all partners involved covering the full spectrum between antagonistic and beneficial. Fungi are highly capable of manipulating the microbial community in their surroundings (e.g. via pH manipulation) and bacteria, in turn, can influence fungi by affecting the outcomes of (antagonistic) interactions or preventing fungal feedback inhibition via consumption of breakdown products. Associated bacteria on the other side could play an essential role for the fungus as bacteria can exert significant influence on fungal physiology and behaviour. This minireview summarizes the current knowledge on bacterial-fungal interactions in dead wood with a special focus on dry-rot and proposes possible bacterial-fungal interaction (BFI) mechanisms based on examples from soil or decomposing wood from forests.