The occurrence of lagenisma coscinodisci in palmeria hardmaniana from kingston harbour, jamaica

Abstract

The diatom Palmeria hardmaniana Grev. occurs in Kingston harbour, Jamaica, usually in concentrations of less than 50 cells per litre. On three occasions during the period July 1971 to July 1972, blooms of the diatom occurred, cell concentrations reaching 1400 to 1700 cells/litre. During two of these blooms, the diatom cells became infected by the fungus Lagenisma coscino- disci Drebes. Samples taken at three stations in the harbour showed that the spread of the fungus through the Palmeria population was rapid, and 76 to 92% of the diatom cells became parasitised. The high incidence of infection is discussed in relation to the water temperatures prevailing in the harbour. © 1976 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.