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The Macroalgal Ecosystem

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Fungi in Coastal and Oceanic Marine Ecosystems

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Abstract

Fungi inhabit living and decomposing marine algae. “Algicolous fungi” are obligate marine, mycetaen species found only in algae. A number of fungi are found as endophytes in them. Many form mutualistic associations, termed mycophycobionts and lichens. Many fungi occur as biotrophic parasites in algae, while others are opportunistic or facultatively parasitic. While some parasites do not cause any symptoms in their algal host, others result in various discolorations. Others cause distinct malformations. Oomycetes are some of the most prevalent among algal parasites. The Red Rot disease caused by Pythium porphyrae in the red alga Porphyra spp. and a disease caused by Petersenia pollagaster in the red alga Chondrus crispus are well known. Endophytic fungi persist upon the death of the algae, which are then colonized by other saprophytic fungi, including obligate and facultative marine mycetaen fungi, as well as the straminipilan fungi, the thraustochytrids. These enzymatically degrade the algae, resulting in decomposition and biochemical transformation of the detritus. Insufficient information is available on the importance of fungi as feed to detritivores in macroalgal ecosystems.

Obtaining all of medicinal plants and, indeed, all of jewels, O gods, churn the ocean, then you will gain the nectar.

Hindu Purana: “Samudramanthana” of Mahabharata,

Adi Parvan

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  1. Formerly of CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Vainguinnim Valley, Dona Paula, Goa, India

    Seshagiri Raghukumar

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Raghukumar, S. (2017). The Macroalgal Ecosystem. In: Fungi in Coastal and Oceanic Marine Ecosystems. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-54304-8_8

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