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Published on: April 20, 2012
Endolithic fungi in marine ecosystems
Stjepko Golubic1, Gudrun Radtke, Therese Le Campion-Alsumard
1Biological Science Center, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA. golubic@bu.edu
Trends in Microbiology
|May 4, 2005
Summary
Marine fungi are key members of endolithic communities, boring into carbonate substrates like coral skeletons. While often in equilibrium, these fungi can harm coral health under environmental stress.
Area of Science:
- Marine biology
- Microbiology
- Paleontology
- Coral reef ecology
Background:
- Fungi are integral components of marine microbial endolithic communities.
- Euendolithic fungi penetrate carbonate substrates, including mollusk shells and limestone.
- These fungi play roles in nutrient cycling, host interaction, and fossil trace formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the significant, yet understudied, role of aggressive endolithic fungi in coral skeletons.
- To examine the ubiquitous and global distribution of these fungi in marine ecosystems.
- To understand the dynamic equilibrium between corals, endolithic algae, and fungi.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of existing research on endolithic fungi in marine environments.
- Analysis of the ecological interactions between fungi, coral hosts, and other endolithic organisms.
- Examination of the impact of environmental stress on the fungal-coral relationship.
Main Results:
- Endolithic fungi are globally distributed in coral skeletons and are not dependent on light.
- Their distribution spans from intertidal zones to abyssal depths.
- The fungal-coral relationship exists in a delicate equilibrium that can be disrupted by environmental stressors.
Conclusions:
- Endolithic fungi represent a critical factor in coral health and reef ecosystem dynamics.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms and implications of fungal aggression in corals.
- Environmental stress can shift the balance, potentially leading to detrimental effects on coral health.
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