ABSTRACT
The morphologic features of Talaromyces udagawae Stolk and Samson are here described and illustrated. This teleomorphic Ascomycota fungus was isolated from soil obtained in Buenos Aires province (Argentina) from beneath a human cadaver in an advanced state of decomposition. After washing and serial dilution of the soil along with moist-chamber techniques for fungal cultivation, T. udagawae formed very restricted colonies of bright yellow color on different growth media with 8-ascospored asci. The ascospores were ellipsoidal and ornamented. The anamorphic state was not observed. Molecular-genetic techniques identified the species. The present record is the first of the species in Argentina, pointing it as a tool to identify soils where cadaver decomposition occurs.
Se describen e ilustran las características morfológicas de Talaromyces udagawae Stolk y Samson. Se aisló el estado teleomórfico de este hongo Ascomycota de suelo obtenido en la provincia de Buenos Aires (Argentina), por debajo de un cadáver humano en avanzado estado de descomposición. Las muestras de suelo fueron analizadas mediante lavado, dilución seriada y cámaras húmedas, técnicas ampliamente usadas para el estudio de hongos de suelo. T. udagawae formó colonias muy restringidas de color amarillo brillante en diferentes medios de cultivo, con ascos con 8 ascosporas. Las ascosporas eran elipsoidales y ornamentadas. No fue hallado el estado anamórfico. La especie también fue identificada mediante técnicas moleculares. El presente registro es el primero de la especie en la Argentina y el único que la postula como herramienta para identificar suelos donde ocurre una descomposición cadavérica.
Subject(s)
Ascomycota/growth & development , Talaromyces/isolation & purification , Talaromyces/growth & development , Forensic Sciences/trends , Soil/chemistry , CadaverABSTRACT
Carcasses represent a trophic and reproductive resource or shelter for arthropods, which are a representative component of the decomposition process. Four experiments, one per season, were conducted in a semi-rural area of Bahía Blanca, Argentina, to study the trophic roles of cadaveric beetles, evaluating the abundance, composition and dominance during all decomposition stages and seasons. Species of necrophagous, necrophilous and omnivorous habits were found. Abundance, composition and dominance of beetles in relation to their trophic roles changed according to seasons and decomposition stages. Guilds and patterns of succession were established in relation to those periods. Trophic roles could be an indicator of beetle associations with decomposition stages and seasons.