Fungal colonization and breakdown of sedge (Cyperus malaccensis Lam.) in an Indian mangrove
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Kandikere R. Sridhar
Abstract
We studied patterns of fungal colonization, mass loss and biochemical changes during decomposition of the dominant mangrove sedge Cyperus malaccensis in a mangal located in southwestern India. Litter bags containing dried bracts, basal stem and top stem were introduced into a sedge sward in a mid-tidal zone for periods of up to 8 weeks (April–June 2005). After retrieval of sedge substrates and incubation in the laboratory, 19 fungi (10 anamorphs, 8 ascomycetes and one zygomycete) were found. Terrestrial fungi dominated over the first 2–3 weeks. Later, in spite of falling water temperatures and salinity, they were replaced by typical mangrove/marine ascomycetes and anamorphs. Up to 79% of bract mass loss occurred in 4 weeks; respective losses for basal stems and top stems were 88% and 51% through 8 weeks. The estimated durations of 50% mass loss (t50) were 4.5, 10.9 and 22.9 days for bract, basal stem and top stem, respectively. Accordingly, there were significant differences in daily decay coefficients (k) among substrates. Organic carbon and phenolics decreased steadily in all substrates. Phosphorus concentrations decreased, attained a minimum and increased again, reaching final concentrations similar to initial values. Nitrogen concentration increased through the end of the experiment. Cellulase, xylanase and pectinase in all sedge substrates generally peaked within 4 weeks. This is the first study on decomposition of the macrophyte C. malaccensis.
©2010 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin New York
Articles in the same Issue
- Guest editorial
- 11th International Marine and Freshwater Mycology Symposium, Taichung, Taiwan R.O.C., November 2009
- Review
- A review on deep-sea fungi: occurrence, diversity and adaptations
- Research articles
- Sedecimiella taiwanensis gen. et sp. nov., a marine mangrove fungus in the Hypocreales (Hypocreomycetidae, Ascomycota)
- Dibenzofurans from the marine sponge-derived ascomycete Super1F1-09
- Antimicrobial activities of marine fungi from Malaysia
- Diversity and abundance of lignicolous marine fungi from the east and west coasts of Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah (Borneo Island)
- Fungal colonization and breakdown of sedge (Cyperus malaccensis Lam.) in an Indian mangrove
- Occurrence and distribution of fungi in a mangrove forest on Siargao Island, Philippines
- Biodiversity of marine fungi in Malaysian mangroves
- Endophytic fungi from mangrove plant species of Thailand: their antimicrobial and anticancer potentials
- Fungal communities in bunker C oil-impacted sites off southern Guimaras, Philippines: a post-spill assessment of Solar 1 oil spill
- Potential use of marine arenicolous ascomycetes as bioindicators of ecosystem disturbance on sandy Cancun beaches: Corollospora maritima as a candidate species
- Effects of Cu(II) and Zn(II) on growth and cell morphology of thraustochytrids isolated from fallen mangrove leaves in Taiwan
- Marine-derived fungi from Kappaphycus alvarezii and K. striatum as potential causative agents of ice-ice disease in farmed seaweeds
- Short communication
- Fungal diversity in bottom sediments of the Kara Sea
- Reviewer acknowledgement Bot. Mar. volume 53 (2010)
Articles in the same Issue
- Guest editorial
- 11th International Marine and Freshwater Mycology Symposium, Taichung, Taiwan R.O.C., November 2009
- Review
- A review on deep-sea fungi: occurrence, diversity and adaptations
- Research articles
- Sedecimiella taiwanensis gen. et sp. nov., a marine mangrove fungus in the Hypocreales (Hypocreomycetidae, Ascomycota)
- Dibenzofurans from the marine sponge-derived ascomycete Super1F1-09
- Antimicrobial activities of marine fungi from Malaysia
- Diversity and abundance of lignicolous marine fungi from the east and west coasts of Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah (Borneo Island)
- Fungal colonization and breakdown of sedge (Cyperus malaccensis Lam.) in an Indian mangrove
- Occurrence and distribution of fungi in a mangrove forest on Siargao Island, Philippines
- Biodiversity of marine fungi in Malaysian mangroves
- Endophytic fungi from mangrove plant species of Thailand: their antimicrobial and anticancer potentials
- Fungal communities in bunker C oil-impacted sites off southern Guimaras, Philippines: a post-spill assessment of Solar 1 oil spill
- Potential use of marine arenicolous ascomycetes as bioindicators of ecosystem disturbance on sandy Cancun beaches: Corollospora maritima as a candidate species
- Effects of Cu(II) and Zn(II) on growth and cell morphology of thraustochytrids isolated from fallen mangrove leaves in Taiwan
- Marine-derived fungi from Kappaphycus alvarezii and K. striatum as potential causative agents of ice-ice disease in farmed seaweeds
- Short communication
- Fungal diversity in bottom sediments of the Kara Sea
- Reviewer acknowledgement Bot. Mar. volume 53 (2010)
