Open AccessInfluence of salinity, temperature, and nutrient availability on the respiration of saprolegniaceous fungi (Oomycetes)
Author(s) -
Padgett D. E.,
Kendrick A. S.,
Hearth J. H.,
Webster Wm. D.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
ecography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.973
H-Index - 128
eISSN - 1600-0587
pISSN - 0906-7590
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0587.1988.tb00789.x
Subject(s) - salinity , nutrient , respiration , biology , seawater , ecology , botany
Three isolates representing two species of the Saprolegniaceae were investigated using standard manometric techniques to determine what effect culture temperature and nutrient availability had on respiration following treatment with artificial seawater. All three isolates manifested decreased respiration following treatment in most temperatures and salinities whether or not exogenous nutrient were present, but no treatment prevented test fungi from resuming vigorous growth and infesting sterile bait after the 18.5 h treatment period. In light of previous published reports the present result suggest that saprolegniaceous fungi may become dormant in estuarine salinity regimes, but probably remain viable for prolonged periods. Ecological implications of this phenomenon are discussed.