Marine discomycetes: A review

Abstract

In common with basidiomycetes, few discomycetes occur in the marine environment as they do not have the ability to withstand being submerged in seawater for long periods or exposure to wave action. Most marine basidiomycetes are agarics, which have adapted to life in the sea and evolved a reduced basidiome. Marine discomycetes include Dactylospora canariensis, D. haliotrepha, D. mangrovei, Gloniella clavatispora and Vibrissea nypicola from tropical or subtropical mangroves as well as Lachnum spartinae and Laetinaevia marina on the marsh-grass Spartina or various brown seaweeds in temperate latitudes. Marine discomycetes have leathery apothecia and can withstand constant wetting by brackish to fully saline water. Further studies are warranted of marine discomycetes especially in brackish water habitats.