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Speculations on niches occupied by fungi in the sea with relation to bacteria

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Proceedings / Indian Academy of Sciences

Abstract

The significance of fungi in the marine environment is poorly known when compared with the bacteria. Based on information available on bacteria and fungi in the sea and their structural characteristics, the various niches where the latter may play important roles is speculated upon in this article. Among the 3 niches discussed, the fungi, including thraustochytrids may be significant endobionts in substrates such as dead and living plants and calcareous shells. Substantial information is already available on fungi in decaying salt marsh grass and mangrove leaves, seedlings and wood and on parasites in macro- and microalgae. The need to investigate fungi as epibionts on surfaces of various organic and inorganic substrates and also sediments has been stressed. While bacteria are known to be significant as planktonic forms, thraustochytrids and yeasts in this and other niches have not been studied in detail.

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  1. Biological Oceanography Division, National Institute of Oceanography, 403 004, Dona Paula, Goa, India

    S Raghukumar

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Raghukumar, S. Speculations on niches occupied by fungi in the sea with relation to bacteria. Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. 100, 129–138 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03053437

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