Marine fungi (Ascomycetes) within and on tests of Foraminifera

Fruiting bodies of higher marine fungi occur within and on tests of foraminiferans on tropical beaches of the Pacific (Australia, Hawaii) and Atlantic Ocean (Belize, Mexico). Ascocarps (fruiting bodies ) of five intertidal species or varieties of the genera Arenariomyces, Corollospora and Lindra colonize foraminiferans in the natural habitat and may contribute to the eventual breakup of the tests. Fungal fruiting structures, which are normally subglobose when developing in other substrates, adjust to the shape of the foraminiferan chambers when growing within the tests. Pure cultures of L. thalassiae var. crassa yielded the same type of irregular fruiting bodies when grown at 30° C on foraminiferan tests as the sole source of nutrients.Smithsonian Contribution No. 174 (Investigations of Marine Shallow-Water Ecosystems Program, Reef and Mangrove Study-Belize)