Microarthropod Assemblages on Edible and Toxic Mushrooms in Northwestern Patagonia: Influence of Hymenophore Structure and Fungal Toxicity

Marcelo Eduardo  Kun; Iris Nadia de la Rosa

doi:10.25674/484

Authors

Marcelo Eduardo Kun National University of Comahue https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7299-2796
Iris Nadia de la Rosa Universidad Nacional del Comahue Bariloche

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25674/484

Keywords:

Agaricus, mushroom, Collembola, Oribatida, microarthropods

Abstract

We investigated microarthropod communities associated with 20 mushroom species in Northwestern Patagonia, including both edible and toxic fungi. Our study examined whether hymenophore structure (lamellar vs. tubular) and edibility or toxicity influence microarthropods abundance, richness, and diversity. Over 65,000 individuals were collected, representing 98 species. Collembola and Oribatida were identified to species level. Mushrooms with lamellar hymenophores supported higher total abundance and greater Diptera richness and diversity, while tubular fungi harbored significantly more Acari. Contrary to our initial expectation, the toxic species Amanita muscaria, exhibited high diversity. These findings highlight the role of mushrooms as ecological hubs for arthropod diversity, regardless of their edibility our results provide new insights into the role of fungal traits in structuring microarthropod assemblages and suggest avenues for further research on fungal–arthropod networks in temperate forests.

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