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Integrating chytrid fungal parasites into plankton ecology: research gaps and needs
Author(s) -
Frenken Thijs,
Alacid Elisabet,
Berger Stella A.,
Bourne Elizabeth C.,
Gerphag Mélanie,
Grossart HansPeter,
Gsell Alena S.,
Ibelings Bas W.,
Kagami Maiko,
Küpper Frithjof C.,
Letcher Peter M.,
Loyau Adeline,
Miki Takeshi,
Nejstgaard Jens C.,
Rasconi Serena,
Reñé Albert,
Rohrlack Thomas,
RojasJimenez Keilor,
Schmeller Dirk S.,
Scholz Bettina,
Seto Kensuke,
SimeNgando Télesphore,
Sukenik Assaf,
Van de Waal Dedmer B.,
Van den Wyngaert Silke,
Van Donk Ellen,
Wolinska Justyna,
Wurzbacher Christian,
Agha Ramsy
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
environmental microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.954
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1462-2920
pISSN - 1462-2912
DOI - 10.1111/1462-2920.13827
Subject(s) - chytridiomycota , biology , chytridiomycosis , ecology , phytoplankton , trophic level , range (aeronautics) , aquatic ecosystem , host (biology) , ascomycota , amphibian , biochemistry , materials science , nutrient , gene , composite material
Summary Chytridiomycota, often referred to as chytrids, can be virulent parasites with the potential to inflict mass mortalities on hosts, causing e.g. changes in phytoplankton size distributions and succession, and the delay or suppression of bloom events. Molecular environmental surveys have revealed an unexpectedly large diversity of chytrids across a wide range of aquatic ecosystems worldwide. As a result, scientific interest towards fungal parasites of phytoplankton has been gaining momentum in the past few years. Yet, we still know little about the ecology of chytrids, their life cycles, phylogeny, host specificity and range. Information on the contribution of chytrids to trophic interactions, as well as co‐evolutionary feedbacks of fungal parasitism on host populations is also limited. This paper synthesizes ideas stressing the multifaceted biological relevance of phytoplankton chytridiomycosis, resulting from discussions among an international team of chytrid researchers. It presents our view on the most pressing research needs for promoting the integration of chytrid fungi into aquatic ecology.