Animals in Coastal Benthic Ecosystem and Aquaculture Systems

Abstract

Fungi occur as symbionts and saprotrophs in marine animals. Thraustochytrids, yeasts, and trichomycetes grow as commensals in invertebrate guts. Many fungi are found in sponges. Oomycetes are the most prevalent among a variety of fungal parasites in marine animals. They attack eggs and larvae and often cause serious commercial losses in aquaculture facilities. Lagenidium species, Haliphthoros milfordensis, Salilagenidium myophilum, Sirolpidium zoophthorum, Atkinsiella dubia, and Halocrusticida spp. are well-known pathogens. “Black gill” and other diseases of prawns as well as diseases of crabs, lobsters, and molluscs are common. Several yeasts as well as Fusarium sp., a terrestrial mycetaen species, are frequent parasites. The labyrinthulomycetes Aplanochytrium haliotidis and the QPX parasite are devastating parasites of molluscs. Few effective strategies are available to combat fungal diseases in aquaculture industries. Saprobic fungi are frequent in exoskeletons and calcareous shells of marine invertebrates. Endolithic fungi cause bioerosion of calcareous shells.