Panel 7: T-RFLP, leaf blades

ITS/rDNA of ascomycetes was detected in samples of naturally decaying cordgrass blades (e.g., for GCE/LTER station 6, below). Undescribed ascomycete species '4clt' (Panel 5) was simultaneously found via direct microscopy and PCR/T-RFLP to be a major occupier of late-decay, muddy blades (Panel 2). The species of Panel 5 accounted for 73-98% of the T-RFLP peak area of decaying leaves.

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