Methods to Study Marine Fungi

Abstract

Appropriate methods are necessary to study diversity, ecology, and physiology of marine fungi. Obligate marine fungi are cultured directly from their sporulating structures in decomposing wood and other substrates. Surface sterilization and plating as well as particle plating are useful methods to culture obligate and facultative marine fungi. Zoosporic fungi can be cultured using baiting methods. Fungi are generally identified based on their morphology, development, and life cycles. Molecular methods are helpful in authenticating identifications as well as in metagenomic studies of diversity. Mycelial fungi and labyrinthulomycetes can be detected in natural substrates and their biomass estimated using epifluorescence microscopy methods. Biochemical indicators such as ergosterol are useful for mycetaen fungi. Culturing of deep-sea fungi requires special methods and equipments. A variety of culture media is used to cultivate marine fungi.