NACL SALINITY AND TEMPERATURE EFFECTS ON GROWTH OF 3 WOOD-ROTTING BASIDIOMYCETES FROM A PAPUA-NEW-GUINEA COASTAL FOREST

The growth of three wood inhabiting basidiomycetes (Microporus xanthop us, Pycnoporus sanguineus and Schizophyllum commune) isolated from a t ropical coastal forest of Papua New Guinea is characterized in relatio n to temperature and NaCl salinity. P. sanguineus and M. xanthopus pre sent a very similar response to NaCl salinity, but P. sanguineus has a wider tolerance for temperature variations. S. commune withstands wid e temperature variations, but it is the only one to present a marked s alt resistance. This correlates with its abundance along the sea. The presence of P. sanguineus in the same habitat is rather unexpected sin ce it is very sensitive to NaCl salinity. Its high growth rate probabl y allows it to take advantage of periods of high rains that limit salt accumulation.