Anna Godlewska

Zoosporic aquatic fungi growing on dead specimens of 29 freshwater crustacean species

Abstract The authors investigated aquatic fungi growing on the carapaces of 29 species of dead crustaceans (13 species of Copepoda, 13 species of Cladocera and 3 species of Ostracoda) in the water from six limnological and trophical different water bodies (two springs, one river, one lake and two ponds). All of these waterbodies are strongly loaded. 146 species of aquatic fungi were found on the carapaces: 40 Chytridiomycetes, 1 Hyphochytriomycete and 105 Oomycetes. The most common fungus species were Karlingia chitinophila, Myzocytium microsporum, Myzocytium zoophthorum, Pythium acanthicum, Pythium butleri and Pythium myriotylum . Most zoosporic fungus species were observed on the specimens of Daphnia pulex (50 fungus species), Daphnia magna (48) and Cyclocypris laevis (44), fewest on Cyclops fuscus and Cyclops vicinus (each 10). The most fungi were growing in the water from River Supraśl (86), the fewest in the water from Pond Fosa (53). Cluster analysis of the investigated parameters carried out in water bodies during the experiment on zoosporic fungus species has revealed that in the water from springs and Pond Fosa the number of fungus species is closely associated with the concentration of sulphates, in water from River Supraśl and Lake Komosa with calcium and in the water from Pond Dojlidy with chlorides. Out of these 146 species, 21 are known as parasites or necrotrophs of fish. Some dead specimens of crustacean species are a new substrate for some fungus species.

ZOOSPORIC FUNGI GROWING ON DEAD DRAGONFLIES (ODONATA)

Abstract The mycoflora developing on dead specimens of 11 species of dragonfly, collected while floating on the water surface, was investigated under laboratory conditions. Sixty-six zoosporic fungus species were found to grow on the fragments of dragonfly investigated, including 15 Chytridiomycetes and 51 Oomycetes. Of these 66 species, 18 are known as parasites or necrotrophs of fish. Three fungus species were recorded for the first time from Poland.

Zoosporic fungi growing on the carapaces of dead zooplankton organisms

Abstract The authors investigated aquatic fungi on the carapaces of dead zoo-plankton organisms belonging to Cladocera, Copepoda and Rotatoria in the water of two trophically different lakes — the eutrophic Lake Leszczewek and the mesotrophic Lake Wigry. 49 species of aquatic fungi were found — 21 species in Lake Leszczewek and 33 species in Lake Wigry. The smallest number of fungi (23 species) grew on the carapaces of Copepoda, the largest on the Cladocera (29). Moreover, seven zoosporic fungus species were found new to Polish hydromycology. The results obtained for plankton Crustacea were compared with data for crayfish.

Zoosporic fungi and fungus-like organisms in the Siemianówka dam reservoir

Abstract: The occurrence of fungi in the Siemianowka dam reservoir and in the river Narew downstream and upstream of the reservoir was investigated, during the spring, summer and autumn months, taking into consideration many physicochemical factors of water. Phytoplankton chlorophyll a content was also determined. Eighty-seven fungal species, including 71 fungus-like organisms (Straminipila) and 16 species of true fungi were identified. Most species were found in the river Narew upstream of the reservoir, the fewest inside it. The latter finding can be correlated with cyanobacterial blooming recurring every year. The greatest number of species developed in the spring months, the smallest in the summer period. The surface layer of the reservoir was poorer in species than its deeper layers. Moreover, 6 rare species were detected, including Aphanodictyon apiculatum which is recorded for Poland for the first time.

Fungi and fungus-like organisms growing in selected lotic oxbow lakes and tributaries of the Narew River

Abstract Mycological and hydrochemical research was conducted in two different types of reservoirs connected with the Narew riverbed (three tributaries and three lotic oxbow lakes) in two growing seasons. The obtained results seem to indicate that more favorable conditions for the development of the analyzed microorganisms prevailed in the studied tributaries of the Narew. A total of 36 species of fungi and fungus-like organisms were identified in these tributaries in spring and 35 in autumn, while respectively 32 and 26 species in the lotic oxbow lakes. Six taxa not identified in the oxbow lakes were found only in the tributaries of the river. They were: Alternaria alternata, Allomyces moniliformis, Catenaria anguillulae, Leptomitus lacteus, Rhipidium parthenosporum and Saprolegnia diclina. On the other hand, only two species occurred only in the oxbow lakes (not recorded in tributaries) (i.e. Catenophlyctis variabilis and Rhizophlyctis rosea). The differences observed in the microfungi species composition in the studied ecosystems are associated, among others, with the time of the year and physicochemical properties of the water. Hydrochemical parameters such as temperature, pH, Mg, N-NH3, N-NO3, P-PO4 and suspended solids showed positive correlation, and sulfates, chlorides, Ca, Fe correlated negatively with the number of taxa observed.

Aquatic fungi and straminipilous organisms in lakes of the Augustowska Primeval Forest, Poland

We analyzed species composition of aquatic fungi and straminipilous organisms in six lakes located within the Augustowska Primeval Forest, Poland. Mycological observations conducted in the spring and autumn seasons together with hydrochemical analysis in the 2010–2012 revealed the presence of 44 species (10 aquatic fungi and 34 straminipilous organisms). Among the taxa detected, there were some potential pathogens of economically valuable fish species and spawn, including Achlya americana, Ac. polyandra, Saprolegnia ferax and S. parasitica. Some of the species were crustacean pathogens, such as Lagenidium giganteum, Myzocytium microsporum and M. zoophthorum. There were also some common human pathogens Aspergillus niger and Candida tropicalis. Some species, such as Achlya klebsiana, Ac. prolifera, Nowakowskiella elegans, N. macrospora, Pythium debaryanum, Py. inflatum, Rhizophlyctis rosea and Saprolegnia litoralis were common phytosaprobionts.The largest number of species of fungi and straminipilous organisms was identified in Lake Sajenek (22), the fewest in Lake Białe (12).The quantitative composition and qualitative differentiation of mycobiota were influenced by the content of biogenic compounds and the amount of organic substance. The elevated levels of these parameters (Lake Sajenek) stimulated the growth of fungi and straminipilous organisms, whereas very low concentrations of biogenic compounds and a small amount of organic matter (Lake Białe) had an inhibitory effect.Statistical analysis of the results was conducted to determine the correlations between the number of fungal and straminipilous species and the hydrochemical parameters, i.e. water temperature, the level of nitrogen compounds (nitrate nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen), calcium carbohydrate, magnesium carbohydrate, water oxidizability and the content of dry residue, dissolved substances and suspension.

Fungi and Straminipilous organisms found at bathing sites in the vicinity of Białystok

Introduction. Fungi and straminipilous organisms play a significant role in aquatic ecosystems as a food source for many invertebrates and in the process of mineralization of organic matter. Research on the occurrence of fungi and straminipila at bathing sites has a major sanitary and epidemiological significance since it allows registration of fungi that can be potentially pathogenic to man. The ai m of the present study was to establish species diversity of fungi and straminipila found in four bathing sites in the vicinity of Bialystok, to determine or exclude potential etiological factors of mycotic infections, and to determine the effect of physicochemical parameters of the waters examined on the growth of this group of destruents in the spring and autumn of 2006/2007. Material and methods. The baiting method was used to isolate fungi from water samples collected at the respective bathing sites. Fungi and straminipilous organisms were trapped using amphipod crustacean Gammarus pulex , grass snake skin, onion skin, buckwheat seeds, as well as seeds of clover and cannabis. Results. Forty-two species were identified, with the predominance of saprothrophic fungi, particularly species Aspergillus fumigatus - a potential etiologic agent factor for aspergillosis. Most species were found in the water of the bathing site in Supraśl and Jurowce -26 (RF-63.41%), the fewest in Korycin -16 (RF-39.02%). Conclusion. Species diversity of the fungal and straminipilous organisms at the investigated bathing sites depended on characteristics of a given ecosystem, biotic and abiotic factors.