Abundance of bacteria and fungi in seagrass and mangrove detritus

Microbial (bacterial and fungal) biomass associated with decaying Thalassia testudinum, Syringodium filiforme, Halodule wrightii, and Rhizophora mangle, incubated in litter bags in Florida Bay, was estimated from direct microscopic determinations of microbial abundance and cell volume. Bacterial bio...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine ecology. Progress series (Halstenbek) 1988-01, Vol.42 (1), p.73-78
Main Authors: Blum, L. K., Mills, A. L., Zieman, J. C., Zieman, R. T.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bacteria
Brackish
Carbon
Detritivores
Fungal biomass
Fungi
Halodule wrightii
Invertebrates
Marine
Microbial biomass
Microorganisms
Plant products
Plants
Rhizophora mangle
Syringodium filiforme
Thalassia testudinum
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Summary:Microbial (bacterial and fungal) biomass associated with decaying Thalassia testudinum, Syringodium filiforme, Halodule wrightii, and Rhizophora mangle, incubated in litter bags in Florida Bay, was estimated from direct microscopic determinations of microbial abundance and cell volume. Bacterial biomass predominated throughout decomposition, with fungi usually constituting 0 to 20 % of the total microbial biomass. Total microbial biomass was never greater than 1.2 % of detrital mass, and in most cases was substantially less than 1.0 %. Based on these results, it is unlikely that detritivores that feed by ingestion of detrital particles can rely solely on microorganisms as an energy source.
ISSN:0171-8630
1616-1599
DOI:10.3354/meps042073