Diversity and ecology of fungi on mangroves of Bay of Bengal region - An overview

Abstract

An overview on the diversity and ecology of fungi colonizing litter of mangroves in Bay of Bengal region (mangroves of Godavary and Krishna deltas of Andhra Pradesh, Pichavaram of Tamil Nadu, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands) are presented in this paper. A total number of 131 species belonging to 77 genera have so far been reported from the three regions. Verruculina enalia showed highest percentage occurrence at all the sites and on different hosts. The fungi exhibited vertical zonation in their occurrence with more number occurring in the intertidal zone. While some fungi occurred throughout the tidal range many showed affinity to a particular level. Ascomycetes with immersed or semi-immersed fruit bodies occurred in water inundated niches.