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Insects and Laboulbeniales (Ascomycota, Fungi) of Lake Eustis and Emeralda Marsh Conservation Area: a case study on urbanization and diversity
  • Patricia Kaishian
Patricia Kaishian
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

Corresponding Author:pkaishian@gmail.com

Author Profile

Abstract

A rapid biodiversity assessment of insects and associated Laboulbeniales fungi was conducted over the course of five nights in August, 2018 at two central Florida lakes: Lake Eustis and the nearby protected and restored National Natural Landmark, Emeralda Marsh Conservation Area (EMCA), which encompasses a portion of Lake Griffin. These locations were selected because Lake Eustis was surveyed for Laboulbeniales in 1897 by mycologist Dr. Roland Thaxter, but has not since been investigated. Because Lake Eustis has been urbanized, with the lake perimeter almost entirely altered by human development, the site offers a look into Laboulbeniales diversity across a 121 year timeline, before and after human development. By surveying Lake Eustis and EMCA, a modern case study comparison of Laboulbeniales and insect diversity between a developed and unrestored system and a protected and restored system is made. A total of 4,022 insects were collected during the rapid assessment. Overall, insect abundance was greater at EMCA, with 3,001 insects collected, compared to 1,021 insects collected from Eustis. Though family level insect richness was comparable between sites, with 55 families present at EMCA and 56 at Eustis, 529 out of 3,001 (17.6%) of the insects collected at EMCA were hosts to parasitic Laboulbeniales fungi whereas only 2 out of 1,021 (0.19%) collected from Eustis were infected. There were 16 species of Laboulbeniales found at EMCA compared to only one at Eustis. The current number of Laboulbeniales species documented at Eustis was incredibly depauperate compared to the 27 species recorded by Thaxter in 1897, suggesting the possibility of utilizing Laboulbeniales as indicators of ecosystem health. A figure displaying host-parasite records and a species list of Laboulbeniales fungi is compiled and updated occurrence records for species of Ceratomyces and Hydrophilomyces are provided.
13 Oct 2020Submitted to Ecology and Evolution
14 Oct 2020Submission Checks Completed
14 Oct 2020Assigned to Editor
09 Dec 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
16 Dec 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
05 Jan 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
30 Mar 20211st Revision Received
31 Mar 2021Assigned to Editor
31 Mar 2021Submission Checks Completed
31 Mar 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
31 Mar 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
10 Jun 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
15 Aug 20212nd Revision Received
17 Aug 2021Assigned to Editor
17 Aug 2021Submission Checks Completed
17 Aug 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
23 Aug 2021Editorial Decision: Accept
Dec 2021Published in Ecology and Evolution volume 11 issue 23 on pages 16618-16633. 10.1002/ece3.8246