Taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity of fungi in a forest-tundra ecotone in Québec

We quantified the taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity of fungi associated with dead moss tissues conifer needles in a forest-tundra ecotone sub-Arctic region, Quebec, Canada. detected 615 operational taxonomic units, total, 84 families 97% sequence similarity by metabarcoding internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) region nuclear ribosomal DNA. Saprotrophs were dominant functional guild. The results indicated effects host plant species local environmental heterogeneity on fungal cold region. Taxonomic indices communities significantly greater than conifers. was mainly attributable to presence Mucoromycota, compared those conifers, which relatively closely related Dikarya present. also variations vegetation soil properties, suggesting that colonization establishment concomitant development contributed fungi. In contrast, not affected host, vegetation, or indicating community members redundant terms evaluated traits.