Manglicolous Marine Fungi of Kerala (South India)

Abstract: Twenty six manglicolous marine fungi comprising 20 Ascomycetes, 1 Basidiomycete and 5 Mitosporic fungi were isolated from the mangrove forests of Kerala, South India. Average isolates per wood sample and percentage colonization were 1.54 and 81.25 respectively. Based on the percent frequency of occurrence, Lulworthia grandispora (13.19%), Dactylospora haliotrepha (12.09%), Savoryella lignicola (10.99%) and Cirrenalia pygmea (10.99 %) were the most frequent species. Key words: Mangrove forest Detritus Decomposition Marine fungi INTRODUCTION mangrove trees with 60 associates were listed by Tropical coastlines are covered by large expenses of form fifty five mangroves and their associates [14]. A total mangrove forests which play significant roles in of 165 marine fungi encompassing 111 ascomycetes, supporting planktonic and benthic communities and 1 basidiomycete and 53 mitosporic fungi were reported nutrient cycles, much of it through decomposition of form Indian mangroves [15]. Chinnaraj [16], Ravikuma