Abstract
Fungi are widely distributed in the Oceans, interact with other organisms and play roles that range from pathogenic to mutualistic. The present work focuses on the characterization of the cultivable mycobiota associated with the seagrass Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile collected off the Elba Island (Italy). We identified 102 taxa (mainly Ascomycota) by the mean of a polyphasic approach. Leaves, rhizomes, roots and matte were characterized by unique mycobiota revealing a “plant-part-specificity.” The comparison with the mycobiota associated with the green alga Flabellia petiolata and the brown alga Padina pavonica underlined a “substrate specificity.” Indeed, despite being part of the same phytocoenosis, these photosynthetic organisms recruit different fungal communities. The mycobiota seems to be necessary for the host’s defense and protection, playing, in this way, remarkable ecological roles. Among the 61 species detected in association with P. oceanica (including two species belonging to the newly introduced genus Paralulworthia), 37 were reported for the first time from the Mediterranean Sea.
Highlights
Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile, otherwise known as Neptune grass, is the most important seagrass in the Mediterranean Sea (Personnic et al, 2014)
As part of a thorough investigation aimed to uncover the fungal diversity of the Mediterranean Sea, we focused on the isolation and identification of the cultivable mycobiota associated with P. oceanica, collected off the Elba Island (Tuscany)
MO, United States – in 1 L of filtered SW) or Agar Posidonia (AP; 20 g of P. oceanica heated in 100 mL seawater – 60◦C, 30 min – were filtered prior to the addition of 18 g agar and SW up to 1L)
Summary
Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile, otherwise known as Neptune grass, is the most important seagrass in the Mediterranean Sea (Personnic et al, 2014). Matte are extremely resistant to microbiological decay, herbivores can feed on them with the aid of symbiotic microorganisms such as fungi or bacteria capable of degrading organic matters (Vohnik et al, 2017). To this respect, it is important to underline that likewise other seagrasses, P. oceanica supports a complex ecosystem that supplies large amounts of nutrients to the organisms living within and in adjacent waters. Fungi play an important role in the functioning of this ecosystem: while parasites and patho ens can negatively affect the wellness of the meadows, mutualists may be
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
