Phycomycetes (Phytophthoraspp. nov. andPythiumsp. nov.) associated with degrading mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) leaves

摘要

Fungi of the genusPhytophthorawere found to be associated with the initial stages of leaf litter decay ofRhizophora mangleL. and otherRhizophoraspecies in estuarine and coastal marine waters.Phytophthoraappears to be an important component of red-mangrove litter degradation systems throughout the tropics, which includes the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. The distributions ofPhytophthora vesiculaAnastasiou et Churchland and four new species ofPhytophthoraare discussed, as well as their occurrence in other tropical marine allochthonous spermatophytic leaf litter. The descriptions of the new species and varieties,Phytophthora bahamensis, P. epistomium, P. mycoparasitica, P. spinosavar.spinosa, andP. spinosavar.lobata, are presented.Pythiumwas rarely observed in the mangrove litter system, although one species,Pythium grandisporangiumsp.nov., is described.