Metagenomic characterization of native soil entomopathogenic fungi along the elevational slopes of Uluguru Mountains, Tanzania

This project aims to characterize the diversity, composition, and elevational distribution of native soil entomopathogenic fungi along the elevational gradients of the Uluguru Mountains, Tanzania, using metagenomic approaches. Soil samples were collected across multiple elevation zones representing different land-use types and ecological conditions. High-throughput sequencing of fungal marker genes was employed to generate comprehensive profiles of soil fungal communities, with particular emphasis on entomopathogenic taxa of agricultural and ecological importance. The study seeks to enhance understanding of how elevation, environmental factors, and land-use practices shape the structure of soil entomopathogenic fungal communities in tropical montane ecosystems. Generated data will provide baseline information on native fungal biodiversity and support future applications in biological pest management, ecosystem conservation, and climate-resilient agriculture in East Africa.

本研究旨在借助宏基因组学方法，解析坦桑尼亚乌鲁古鲁山脉沿海拔梯度分布的本土土壤昆虫病原真菌（entomopathogenic fungi）的多样性、群落组成与海拔分布格局。研究团队在覆盖不同土地利用类型与生态环境条件的多个海拔区域采集土壤样本，通过对真菌标记基因开展高通量测序，获取土壤真菌群落的全面组成谱，重点聚焦农业与生态领域兼具重要价值的昆虫病原真菌类群。本研究旨在深化对热带山地生态系统中，海拔、环境因子及土地利用方式如何塑造土壤昆虫病原真菌群落结构的认知。本研究产生的数据将为东非地区的本土真菌生物多样性提供基线参考信息，并为其在害虫生物防治、生态系统保护以及气候适应性农业等领域的后续应用提供支撑。