The Tasmanian Naturalist (2006) 128: 11-22
11
MUSHROOMS OF MAATSUYKER ISLAND
Bryony Horton
6 Antill St, South Hobart 7004. Email: bryony@horton.id.au.
INTRODUCTION
Maatsuyker Island (southern tip GDA 441000E, 5166000N) is a small,
remote and isolated island 10 km off the south-west coast of Tasmania. It is the second largest island of the Maatsuyker Group, a group of six
rocky islands in the Southern Ocean. Part of the South West Wilderness
Area and World Heritage Area, Maatsuyker Island is wild and beautiful.
For the last 10 years or so, the Parks and Wildlife Service have been running the Caretaker Program. The program involves the placement of two volunteers on the island for four month periods to aid with the ongoing maintenance and management of the islands cultural and natural heritage. I was
lucky enough to be a part of the program from February to June 2006 which
gave me the opportunity to conduct the first macrofungal survey of the island.
Maatsuyker Island is roughly triangular in shape and approximately 180 hectares in size being 3 km long and 1.5 km at the widest point. The highest point on
the island is located in the central east of the island and is 284m above sea level.
The island has a temperate maritime climate and due to westerly winds known
as the ‘Roaring Forties’ experiences high wind exposure and frequent gales.
Maatsuyker Island is geologically similar to adjacent areas of the Tasmanian
mainland. Precambrian mica schists and quartz veins are abundant, along with
phyllite and quartzite outcrops (Parks and Wildlife Service and Australian Maritime Authority, 1993). Highly erodible grey clay loam or light clay gradational
soils are widespread over the island with sand deposits on the cliff tops of southeast
slopes, the base of steep slopes and on the saddle above the haulage way (Pemberton, 1990; Parks and Wildlife Service and Australian Maritime Authority, 1993).
The vegetation of Maatsuyker Island is similar to the southwest
coast of Tasmania with floristic composition and structure affected by
high winds and salt spray (Moscal and Bratt 1977). The island supports a number of vegetation communities with some developing in response to the burrowing activities of seabirds (Pemberton, 1992).
12
THE TASMANIAN NATURALIST
The dominant species, Leptospermum scoparium, often grows in association with Melaleuca squarrosa and Banksia marginata. These species form
a dense canopy up to six metres in height in sheltered locations with stunted
wind-pruned forms in exposed sites (White, 1981). Eucalyptus nitida, growing to a height of ten metres, occurs in a two-hectare stand near the summit
(Parks and Wildlife Service and Australian Maritime Authority, 1993). Understrorey species include Acacia verticillata, Pittosporum bicolor, Billardiera longiflora, Pimelea drupacea, Monotoca glauca, and Tasmannia lanceolata (White 1981). Gahnia grandis and various ferns grow in sheltered
areas (White 1981). Dwarf forms of these species in association with Carex
impressa, Correa backhousia, Epacris impressa, Leucopogon parviflorus,
Rhagodia baccata, Solanum vescum and Westringia brevifolia occur in more
exposed areas (White, 1981). A distinct vegetation type of Poa poiformis tussocks and creeping succulents such as Carpobrotus rossii and Tetragonia impexicoma occur on the steep slopes and sites used by seabirds for breeding.
METHODS
The island was surveyed for macrofungi on 41 days during the period
between February and May 2006. Survey effort was often increased after
heavy rain and high humidity, conditions that often induce fungal fruiting.
Surveys consisted of walking along formed tracks on the island, foraging within 10 metres either side of the track and around other accessible parts of the island. Surveys were restricted to these locations
to minimise disturbance to vegetation, soils and breeding seabirds.
Samples of fruiting bodies for the majority of species of macro fungi observed during the survey were collected. Specimens were described in detail
before making a spore print and drying. Data recorded for each species consisted of location, habit, abundance, habitat, substrate, plant and fungi associations, description and measurements of fruiting body and photographs.
This information was then used to assign a tentative identification while on
the island. Identifications were later confirmed at the University of Tasmania.
RESULTS
ies
A
total of
was made,
106 collections of
yielding 83 species
macrofungal fruiting bodof macrofungi (Table 1).
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MUSHROOMS OF MAATSUYKER ISLAND
Table 1. Macrofungal species observed on Maatsuyker Island. Taxonomy is
according to May et al. (2004). L-m: life-mode. Obs: number of observations.
Life mode categories: S-saprotroph, M-mycorrhizal, L-lichen forming, Pparastic, U-unknown.
ASCOMYCETES
L-m
Obs
P
1
S
1
S
1
S
1
S
1
S
2
Ascomycete “buff cup”
S
1
Ascomycete “green cup”
S
1
S
1
EUROTIALES
Trichocomaceae
Paecilomyces tenuipes (Peck) Samson Anamorphic Byssochlamys Westling
HELOTIALES
Bulgariaceae
Bulgaria sp. “green globular”
Geoglossaceae
Trichoglossum hirsutum (Pers.) Boud.
Heliotiaceae
Chlorociboria aeruginascens (Nyl.) Kanouse
Rustroemiaceae
Lanzia lanaripes (Dennis) Spooner
XYLARIALES
Xylariaceae
Daldinia grandis Child
Unknown
BASIDIOMYCETES
AGARICALES
Agaricaceae
Agaricus sp. “brown field”
Agaricus sp. “Maatsuyker field”
S
5
Agaricus sp. “scaly”
S
4
Amanita aff. punctata (Cleland and Cheel) D.A.Reid
M
3
Amanita sp. “copper top”
M
2
S
1
S
2
Amanitaceae
Bolbitiaceae
Descolea recedens (Cooke and Massee) Singer
Coprinaceae
Coprinus sp. “umbrella ink cap”
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THE TASMANIAN NATURALIST
Table 1. (contd.)
L-m
Obs
Paneolus sp. “little brown”
S
5
Psathyrella echinata (Cleland) Grgur.
S
5
Psathyrella sp. “scaly brown cap”
S
1
Entoloma conferendum (Britzelm.) Noordel.
S
3
Entoloma sp. “conical black cap”
S
3
Entolomataceae
Hygrophoraceae
Hygrocybe astatogala (R.Heim) Heinem.
S/M
3
Hygrocybe chromolimonea (G.Stev.) T.W.May and A.E.Wood
S/M
8
Hygrocybe firma (Berk. and Broome) Singer
S/M
1
Hygrocybe aff. conica (Schaeff. : Fr.) P.Kumm.
S/M
3
Hygrocybe sp. “rainbow”
S/M
1
Hygrophorus involutus G.Stev. var. involutus
S/M
1
S
1
Pluteaceae
Pluteus atromarginatus (Konrad) Kühner
Strophariaceae
Hypholoma fasiculare (Huds. : Fr.) P.Kumm.
S
1
Psilocybe subaeruginosa Cleland
S
2
S/P
1
Tricholomataceae
Armillaria novaezelandiae (G.Stev.) Herink
Campanella olivaceonigra (E.Horak) T.W.May and A.E.Wood
S
2
Collybia eucalyptorum Cleland
S
2
Gymnopus sp. “hairy stem”
S
7
Laccaria sp. “pink”
M
4
Lepista sp. “velvety recurved cap”
S
1
Marasmius elegans (Cleland) Grgur.
S
2
Mycena interrupta (Berk.) Sacc.
S
1
Mycena sanguinolenta (Alb. and Schwein. : Fr.) P.Kumm.
S
8
Mycena vinacea Cleland
S
1
Mycena sp.”brown umbrella”
S
1
Mycena sp. “cream umbrella”
S
1
Mycena sp. “pale brown cap”
S
1
Mycena sp. “pink cap”
S
3
Mycena sp. “small white stem”
S
1
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MUSHROOMS OF MAATSUYKER ISLAND
Table 1. (contd.)
L-m
Obs
Mycena sp. “tiny white cap”
S
1
Mycena sp. “yellow stipe”
S
1
Omphalina chromacea (Cleland) T.W.May and A.E.Wood
S/L
2
Panellus longinquus (Berk.) Singer
S
2
Unknown “white decurrent gills”
U
2
Loreleia marchantiae (Singer and Clémençon) Redhead, Moncalvo, Vilgalys
and Lutzoni
S
2
CANTHARELLALES
Clavariaceae
Clavaria amoena Zoll. and Moritzi
S/M
3
Clavaria miniata Berk.
S/M
3
Ramariopsis sp. “orange branched”
S
1
S/M
2
Clavinulaceae
Clavulina rugosa (Bull. : Fr.) J.Schröt.
CORTINARIALES
Cortinariaceae
Cortinarius phalarus Bougher and R.N. Hilton
M
1
Cortinarius sp. “purple cortina”
M
1
Galerina patagonica Singer
S
1
Galerina sp. “slimy striate cap”
S
2
Inocybe aff. discissa (Cleland) Grgur.
M
3
Setchelliogaster aff. australiensis G.W.Beaton, Pegler and T.W.K.Young
M
>10
Crepidotaceae
Crepidotus applanatus (Pers.) P.Kumm.
S
4
Tubaria rufofulva (Cleland) D.A.Reid and E.Horak
S
2
S
3
S
>5
S
1
DACRYMYCETALES
Dacrymycetaceae
Calocera guepinioides Berk.
HYMENOCHAETALES
Hymenochaetaceae
Phellinus sp. “brown ball’
PORIALES
Coriolaceae
Postia dissecta (Lév.) Rajchenb.
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THE TASMANIAN NATURALIST
Table 1. (contd.)
L-m
Obs
Postia pelliculosa (Berk.) Rajchenb.
S
1
Pycnoporus coccineus (Fr.) Bondartsev and Singer
S
1
Trametes versicolor (L. : Fr.) Lloyd
S/P
1
S
1
Gymnomyces sp. “white earth ball”
M
2
Lactarius clarkeae Cleland
M
4
Polyporaceae
Polyporus melanopus (Sw. : Fr.) Fr.
RUSSULALES
Russulaceae
Lactarius eucalypti O.K.Mill. and R.N.Hilton
M
6
Russula persanguinea Cleland
M
5
Russula sp. “patchy yellow”
M
1
Russula sp. “purple cap”
M
1
Russula sp. “purple stipe”
M
1
S
1
S
4
Pseudohydnum gelatinosum (Scop. : Fr.) P.Karst.
S
2
Tremella mesenterica Retz. : Fr.
S
2
Tremella sp. “black jelly”
S
5
STEREALES
Meruliaceae
Gloeoporus taxicola (Pers. : Fr.) Gilb. and Ryvarden
Stereaceae
Stereum ostrea (Blume and Nees : Fr.) Fr.
TREMELLALES
Exidiaceae
Unknown
Unknown “meadow wax cap”
U
1
Unknown “white polypore” aff. Trametes hirsuta (Wulfen : Fr.) Lloyd
S
1
Of the species recorded, eight were Ascomycetes spread through six families,
and 74 species were Basidiomycetes representing 20 families. Five species were
not identified to genus: two ascomycetes (Unknown “buff cup” and “green cup”),
two gilled mushrooms (Tricholomataceae “white decurrent gills” and Unknown
“meadow wax cap”), and a polypore (Unknown “white polypore” aff. Trametes hirsuta). Of the remaining 78 species, 45 were identified to species level.
MUSHROOMS OF MAATSUYKER ISLAND
17
Saprotrophic, mycorrhizal and parasitic fungi were sampled. Saprotrophs
made up the majority of the records, numbering 53 species. 14 obligate mycorrhizal species were observed (Amanita spp., Cortinarius spp., Inocybe aff.
discissa, Laccaria sp. “pink”, Lactarius spp., Russula spp., Russulaceae “white
earth ball” and Setchelliogaster aff. australiensis). A further ten species were
observed that can either act as saprotrophs or form symbioses. One of these
species, Omphalina chromacea, forms a symbiotic partnership with algae as lichen, whereas the remaining species form mycorrhizas with higher plants. Two
parasitic species were collected, Armillaria novaezelandiae and Paecilomyces
tenuipes, and a third, Trametes versicolor, acting as either a saprotroph or parasite. The ecological roles of the two unknown gilled fungi were not determined.
Of the 83 species recorded, 43 species were observed more than once, in different locations while 40 species were observed only once during the survey. Of
all species recorded, Setchelliogaster aff. australiensis was recorded the greatest number of times (>10 recordings) with only Gymnopus sp. “hairy stem”,
Hygrocybe chromolimonea, Lactarius eucalypti, Phellinus sp. “brown ball”
and Mycena sanguinolenta recorded more than 5 times throughout the survey.
DISCUSSION
With 83 species of fungi recorded from one season it would be reasonable
to assume that Maatsuyker Island is diverse considering its small size. Seven
of the 100 Fungimap target species (Fungimap, 2006) were recorded: Marasmius elegans, Mycena interrupta, Omphalina chromacea, Pseudohydnum gelatinosum, Stereum ostrea, Tremella mesenterica and Tubaria rufofulva. Approximately half of the species recorded were distributed widely over the island
and observed on numerous occasions. There were equally as many species
that were observed only once. This is not uncommon in fungal surveys with
numerous authors reporting many rare species (Taylor, 2002). The number of
sightings of a particular species is by no means a reflection of the true abundance or distribution over the island as much of the island was not surveyed.
It is also reasonable to assume that many more species of macrofungi occur on the island than were recorded, with new records of species added
to the list to the very last day. Also despite best efforts, not all species observed were recorded due to practicality and time constraints. The production of fungal fruiting bodies is known to be variable from year to year and
dependant on a number of unknown factors (Bougher and Tommerup, 1996).
This is highlighted by Straatsma et al. (2001), who after 21 years of surveying fungal sporocarps in Switzerland, were still recording new species.
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THE TASMANIAN NATURALIST
In terms of ecology, the fungi recorded were also diverse with saprotrophic, mycorrhizal, parastic and lichen forming fungi all represented. It was not
surprising to record the 14 mycorrhizal species considering the dominance of
Myrtaceous shrubs and trees on the island. Setchelliogaster aff. australiensis
(Figure 1) was frequently encountered, and the most widespread species recorded, occurring all over the island. Interestingly, Bougher and Syme (1998)
identify Setchelliogaster as a possible relict Gondwanan species that originally
formed mycorrhizas with Nothofagus but has survived by switching to Myrtaceae. From the abundance of fruiting bodies, it would appear that this species
would dominate the symbiotic relationship with Leptospermum scoparium, the
dominant plant species. Despite the abundances of these species, only further
study on the mycorrhizas would be able to confirm this. Many studies have
found that the above and below ground mycorrhizal fungal community structure are vastly different (Peter et al., 2001; Dahlberg et al., 1997; Gardes and
Bruns, 1996) and this may be the case with Setchelliogaster aff. australiensis.
To consider mycorrhizal fungi further, both Epacridaceous shrubs and orchids
occur on the island. Both families are known to form distinct mycorrhizas and
thus their fungal partners would also occur on the island, albeit not macrofungi.
Figure 1. Setchelliogaster aff. australiensis. Photo: B. Horton.
One of the more interesting parasitic species encountered was Paecilomyces tenuipes (Figure 2), which is believed to be selectively parasitic on beetle larvae and noted as “uncommon” in Fuhrer (2005).
MUSHROOMS OF MAATSUYKER ISLAND
19
Figure 2. Paecilomyces tenuipes. Photo: B. Horton.
Another species of interest is Cortinarius phalarus (Figure 3). Unlike other Cortinarius species that have a cortina (partial veil covering the gills), this species has
a distinct volva at the base of the stipe, which is unusual in this genus. Cortinarius
phalarus may also be a Gondwanan fungus as it is thought to be closely related to
a group of volvate cortinarii found in South America (Bougher and Syme, 1998).
Another interesting fungus was collected from Maatsuyker Island in 2005: the
uncommon species Hygrocybe stevensonii, collected by Fiona Scott (27 May 2005).
Fungi are known to aid in soil structure, whereby hyphae act to bind
sand and soil preventing erosion and providing stability (Forster, 1990;
Tisdall, 1994). In such a climatically challenging environment as Maastuyker Island, which also has highly erodible soils, fungi may play an
important role in soil processes and may act to minimise erosion, especially in seabird rookeries that are severely disturbed and eroded.
The macrofungal survey has increased our knowledge of the biodiversity and ecology of Maatsuyker Island. While it is possible that some of the
fungi recorded are exotic to the island, having been introduced via the activities of the lighthouse keepers over the last 116 years, the island’s location
20
THE TASMANIAN NATURALIST
and inclusion in the South West World Heritage Area ensure that it currently
receives only minimal disturbance and is managed in a way to conserve the
cultural and natural heritage of the island, including its biodiversity. Further
fungal studies on the island would certainly reveal more interesting species
and provide an even greater understanding of their ecology and diversity.
Figure 3. Cortinarius phalarus. Photo: B. Horton.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I wish to thank the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service for the opportunity to be a part of the Caretaker Program and for their permission to conduct a fungal survey of Maatsuyker Island. My gratitude extends to Genevieve Gates for aid with species identifications and David Ratkowsky for his
input into the text. Many thanks to Nabil Abbas for assistance in the field.
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MUSHROOMS OF MAATSUYKER ISLAND
21
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THE TASMANIAN NATURALIST
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