Impact of Ecological Factors on the Occurrence and Spatial-Taxonomic Structure of Keratinophilic Fungi and Their Co-Occurrence in Arable Soils

Fungi that decompose keratinized animal remains are an important component of the arable soil microbiome. The aim of the study is to characterize the communities of keratinophilic and co-inhabiting (non-keratinophilic) fungi in four cultivated soils that differ in physico-chemical properties, with particular emphasis on granulometric fractions, which have so far been omitted from studies concerning the ecology of these micromycetes. Fungi were isolated using the keratin-baiting method. Fungal species identification was carried out on the basis of their macro- and micromorphological features. The Simpson diversity index and Marczewski–Steinhaus similarity index were calculated for precise determination of the relationships between fungal communities. In the studied soils, Trichophyton ajelloi and Ctenomyces serratus dominated among keratinophilic fungi, while Purpureocillium lilacinum and Metacordyceps chlamydosporia , from the orders Eurotiales and Hypocreales, were dominant among non-keratinophilic fungi. The frequency of keratinophilic fungi was significantly positively correlated with pH and the content of two granulometric fractions, as opposed to non-keratinophilic fungi. This was reflected in the higher growth rates of keratinomycetes in loamy soil, chernozem, and rendzina, i.e., soils with a higher content of silt and clay fractions compared to sandy soil characterized by a high content of sand fractions. The species composition of both groups of fungi was most similar between loamy soil and chernozem, whereas the greatest differences were found for sandy soil and rendzina. Chernozem was characterized by the highest diversity of fungal species from both groups of fungi. The study, in addition to providing information about ecological factors, provided a collection of keratinomycete strains that can be used as a starting material for subsequent research stages regarding keratinolytic activity of these fungi and their potential use in agricultural practices.