Abundance of bacteria and fungi in seagrass and mangrove detritus

Abstract

Microbial (bacterial and fungal) biomass associated with decaying Thalassia testudnum, Syringodium fdiforme, Halodule wnghtii, and Rhizophora mangle, incubated in litter bags in Florida Bay, was estimated from direct microscopic determinations of microbial abundance and cell volume. Bacterial biomass predominated throughout decomposition, with fungi usually constituting 0 to 20 % of the total microbial biomass. Total microbial biomass was never greater than 1.2 % of detrital mass, and in most cases was substantially less than 1.0 %. Based on these results, it is unlikely that detritivores that feed by ingestion of detrital particles can rely solely on microorganisms as an energy source.