Diversity of ligninolytic ascomycete fungi associated with the bleached leaf litter in subtropical and temperate forests.

Little is known regarding the diversity patterns of Xylariaceae and Hypoxylaceae (Ascomycota) fungi taking part in the lignin decomposition of leaf litter from different tree species and under different climatic regions. The alpha and beta diversity of Xylariaceae and Hypoxylaceae fungi was investigated on bleached leaf litter from nine subtropical and cool temperate tree species in Japan. A total of 248 fungal isolates, obtained from 480 leaves from the nine tree species, were classified into 43 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) with a 97% similarity threshold and were assigned to nine genera of Xylariaceae and Hypoxylaceae.