Niche comparison of dominant entomopathogenic fungi in three forest ecosystems.

An investigation was made on the quantitative composition, niche width, and niche over-lap of dominant entomopathogenic fungi in three different forest ecosystems, i. e. , natural broad-leaved forest, natural secondary broad-leaved forest, and pure Masson's pine plantation. In the three forest ecosystems, Beauveria bassiana was the first dominant species in natural secondary broad-leaved forest, the second in pure Masson's pine plantation, and the third in natural broad-leaved forest. B. bassiana had the broadest temporal niche width and nutritional niche width, whereas the dominant species Isaria cateinannulata, I. farinose, and I. tenuipes had much smaller niche widths. Meanwhile, B. bassiana had larger temporal niche overlaps but smaller nutritional niche overlaps with other dominant entomopathogenic fungi. It was suggested that in the three forest ecosystems, B. bassiana had the longest occurrence duration, widest host range, and strongest environmental adaptability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]