Chapter 3
Relationships Between Soil Mesofauna,
Ectomycorrhizal Fungi, and Sclerotia
in Forest Soils
Anzilni Amasya and Kazuhiko Narisawa
Abstract In this study, we isolated sclerotia, soil mesofauna, and ectomycorrhizal
fungi from soils in Fagus forests in northern and central Japan. We detected fungal
species in soil mesofauna by using microbial community profiling methods, and the
ectomycorrhizal fungal community profiles in soil were compared to those extracted
from sclerotia and mesofauna samples. Our results indicate that Acari and
Collembola play a major role in the regulation of ectomycorrhizal fungi in forest
soils. We noted a relationship between soil pH and exchangeable aluminum content
and sclerotia formation. Our findings also suggest that fungivory of Acari and/or
Collembola toward sclerotia-forming ectomycorrhizal fungi is a key biological
factor regulating sclerotia formation in forest soils.
Keywords Community profiles of ECM · Acari · Collembola · Low-pH forest soils ·
Fungivory · Sclerotia formation
3.1 Introduction
The soil mesofauna is the most diverse component of the soil ecosystem. Animals
living in the litter and the microscopic crevices in the soil play a fundamental role as
processors and translocators of the organic matter that is transformed into the humus.
Across soil ecosystems, the soil mesofauna contribute significantly to decomposition
processes and nutrient turnover (Visser et al. 1981). Many taxa are represented,
A. Amasya
Graduate School of Urban Environmental Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo,
Japan
Present Address: Mizuho Consulting Indonesia Co. Ltd, Jakarta, Indonesia
K. Narisawa (*)
Department of Biological Production Science, College of Agriculture, Ibaraki University,
Amimachi, Ibaraki, Japan
e-mail: kazuhiko.narisawa.kkm@vc.ibaraki.ac.jp
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
M. Watanabe (ed.), Sclerotia Grains in Soils, Progress in Soil Science,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-4252-1_3
35
Relationships Between Soil Mesofauna,
Ectomycorrhizal Fungi, and Sclerotia
in Forest Soils
Anzilni Amasya and Kazuhiko Narisawa
Abstract In this study, we isolated sclerotia, soil mesofauna, and ectomycorrhizal
fungi from soils in Fagus forests in northern and central Japan. We detected fungal
species in soil mesofauna by using microbial community profiling methods, and the
ectomycorrhizal fungal community profiles in soil were compared to those extracted
from sclerotia and mesofauna samples. Our results indicate that Acari and
Collembola play a major role in the regulation of ectomycorrhizal fungi in forest
soils. We noted a relationship between soil pH and exchangeable aluminum content
and sclerotia formation. Our findings also suggest that fungivory of Acari and/or
Collembola toward sclerotia-forming ectomycorrhizal fungi is a key biological
factor regulating sclerotia formation in forest soils.
Keywords Community profiles of ECM · Acari · Collembola · Low-pH forest soils ·
Fungivory · Sclerotia formation
3.1 Introduction
The soil mesofauna is the most diverse component of the soil ecosystem. Animals
living in the litter and the microscopic crevices in the soil play a fundamental role as
processors and translocators of the organic matter that is transformed into the humus.
Across soil ecosystems, the soil mesofauna contribute significantly to decomposition
processes and nutrient turnover (Visser et al. 1981). Many taxa are represented,
A. Amasya
Graduate School of Urban Environmental Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo,
Japan
Present Address: Mizuho Consulting Indonesia Co. Ltd, Jakarta, Indonesia
K. Narisawa (*)
Department of Biological Production Science, College of Agriculture, Ibaraki University,
Amimachi, Ibaraki, Japan
e-mail: kazuhiko.narisawa.kkm@vc.ibaraki.ac.jp
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
M. Watanabe (ed.), Sclerotia Grains in Soils, Progress in Soil Science,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-4252-1_3
35