Epiphyte survival on skin-shedding macrophytes

Abstract

Skin-shedding in Himanthalia elongata (L.) S. F. Gray is more active on receptacles than on vegetative thalli. Elachista scutulata (Sm.) Aresch. and Herponema velutinum (Grev) J. Ag. are epiphytes specific to Himanthalia receptacles. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) studies indicate that their ability to by-pass the antifouling effects of skin-shedding may be due to successful exploitation of cryptostomata and other natural breaks in the host thallus surface. SEM investigation of spore settlement by E. fucicola (Vell.) Aresch. on Fucus vesiculosus L. also revealed dense spore aggregation in the vicinity of cryptostomata.