Combined influence of salinity and temperature (Phoma-pattern) on growth of marine fungi

Abstract

Investigating the combined influence of temperature and salinity on growth of some marine fungi, Ritchie (1957. Am. J. Bot. 44: 870 – 874) showed for some species (e.g., Pestalotia sp., Phoma sp.) an increased salinity optimum with increasing incubation temperature (Phoma-pattern). This was confirmed later for several marine fungi but using different methods and parameters. In this paper the investigations were repeated and enlarged using one method over a broader range of salinities (0–300% seawater) and temperatures (12–42 °C) for seven marine fungi from different taxonomic and ecological groups and biogeographical zones where the Phoma-pattem was reported. The Phoma-pattern was confirmed for all seven fungi for temperatures of 22 °C and higher. For Curvularia and Pestalotia, the Phoma-pattern was evident only at the highest temperatures tested. In addition, three strains of one species, Dendryphiella salina, from different geographical regions of the oceans were examined. All three isolates of Dendryphiella salina showed the Phoma-pattern. The Phoma-pattem does not seem to be correlated with certain taxonomic and ecological groups of marine fungi or biogeographical zones. Key words: Phoma-pattern, marine fungi, growth, salinity, temperature.