The effect of fungal parasitism on the succession of diatoms in Lake Maarsseveen I (The Netherlands)

Abstract

SUMMARY. During late winter and early spring, diatoms are predominant in Lake Maarsseveen I and show a succession in blooming. To elucidate the role of parasitism in this succession, samples were taken once a week in 1978, 1979and 1980 and examined for fungal parasites, further, factors which presumably influenced the phytoplankton growth. including temperature and chemical compounds, were studied. Parasites were found on Asterionella formosa Hass., Stephanodiscus astraea (Ehr) Grun. and Cyclotella comta (Ehr) Kütz. The chytrid fungus Zygorhizidium planktonicumCanter was parasitic tin Asterionella formosa. This was the only case where high infection percentages were registered. The developmental phases of Zygorhizidium plunktonicum on Asterionella formosa were studied. The fungus was capable of affecting the spring increase and bringing about a premature end to the bloom. Only when the fungus was temporarily inhibited in its parasitic activity (this phenomenon coincided with periods of frost) was A. formosa able to reach a high abundance. Severe parasitism on A. formosa favoured the development of other diatoms (mainly of Fragilaria crotoriensis Kitt., Stephanodiscus hantzschii Grun. and Stephanodiscus astraea).Host‐parasite interrelationship studies performed in the laboratory showed that temperature can be an important environmental factor associated with epidemics of Zygorhizidium plankiomcum on Asterionella formosa. At very low temepratures (1.5. 1) the fungal activity was inhibited while Asterionella fortnosa still grew well. However, at 5, 10 and 18 the fungus manifested a high infection rate and was able to overtake Asterionella.