Abstract
ABSTRACTEndolithic true fungi and fungus-like microorganisms penetrate calcareous substrates formed by living organisms, cause significant bioerosion and are involved in diseases of many host animals in marine ecosystems. A theoretical interactive model for the ecology of reef-building corals is proposed in this review. This model includes five principle partners that exist in a dynamic equilibrium: polyps of a colonial coelenterate, endosymbiotic zooxanthellae, endolithic algae (that penetrate coral skeletons), endolithic fungi (that attack the endolithic algae, the zooxanthellae and the polyps) and prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms (which live in the coral mucus). Endolithic fungi and fungus-like boring microorganisms are important components of the marine calcium carbonate cycle because they actively contribute to the biodegradation of shells of animals composed of calcium carbonate and calcareous geological substrates.
Highlights
Importance of this research topicDuring the past three decades, the prevalence and the rate of transmission of emerging infectious diseases, and the frequency of epizootics increased significantly in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, primarily due to social, demographic and environmental transformations (Wilcox and Gubler 2005; Fisher et al 2012; Burge et al 2013)
This model includes five principle partners that exist in a dynamic equilibrium: polyps of a colonial coelenterate, endosymbiotic zooxanthellae, endolithic algae, endolithic fungi and prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms
Endolithic fungi and fungus-like boring microorganisms are important components of the marine calcium carbonate cycle because they actively contribute to the biodegradation of shells of animals composed of calcium carbonate and calcareous geological substrates
Summary
I. General concepts Gleason, Frank H.; Gadd, Geoffrey M.; Pitt, John I.; Larkum, Anthony W. Citation for published version (APA): Gleason, F. The roles of endolithic fungi in bioerosion and disease in marine ecosystems. Take down policy If you believe that this document breaches copyright please contact us providing details, and we will remove access to the work immediately and investigate your claim
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