Marine Biology Commons^™

Interactions Between Chytrids Cause Variable Infection Strategies On Harmful Algal Bloom Forming Species, Katelyn M. Mckindles, R. Michael L. Mckay, George S. Bullerjahn, Thijs Frenken

Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research Publications

Cyanobacteria have a great diversity of natural enemies, such as herbivores and pathogens, including fungal pathogens within the Chytridiomycota (chytrids). While these pathogens have been previously described on a select number of cyanobacterial hosts and are suspected to play a significant ecological role, little is understood about species interactions and how competition between parasites can affect epidemic development and bloom formation. Here, three Planktothrix agardhii isolates from Sandusky Bay, Lake Erie (OH, USA) were challenged in monoculture and polyculture against infection by three isolates (C1, C2, C10) of their obligate chytrid fungal pathogen, Rhizophydiales sp. The chytrid isolates were inoculated …