Global Journal of Science Frontier Research, H: Environment & Earth Science, Volume 22 Issue 1

Lignicolous Marine Fungi from Libya Kafu R. α , Almasri T. σ & Ghenghish M. ρ Abstract- Examination of driftwood and landed phanerogamic debris found loose on sea shores along the western coast of Libya, yielded (20 species) of marine fungi. Ascomycetes (16) and (4) Hyphomycetes . (5) Species of these were reported for the first time in Libya. Brief descriptions of the recorded species are presented. ا صخلمل - يف هذه ةساردلا مت لزع فيرعتو 20 عون نم تايرطفلا ةيرحبلا ةيسيكلا و 4 عاونأ نم تايرطفلا ةيرحبلا ةصقانلا باشخألل ةبحاصملا تامزيرو باشعألا ةيرحبلا ةبطرلا و ةفوذقملا يلع ئطاوش ايبيل ةيبرغلا . 5 عاونأ اهنم مت اهليجست لوأل يف ةرم ايبيل عم ةباتك ةذبن ةرصتخم نع عاونألا هذه يف اهليجست مت يتلا ةساردلا . Keywords: driftwood, phanerogamic debris, marine fungi, ascomycetes. I. I ntroduction he role of marine fungi associated with plant debris in marine and aquatic habitats is immense and they are responsible for the most of the decomposition of organic materials, thus contributing in nutrient regeneration cycles (1). Marine fungal taxa have been isolated from submerged woody substrates in marine habitats(2)(3)(4)(5)(6). Few studies have been carried out to document lignicolous marine fungi from African shores of Mediterranean Sea. Most collections have been made predominantly in southeast of Asia, Europe, and North America (7). However there is little information on marine fungi from Libya (8) and North Africa (9). The present work would commence with traditional approach to such problem that is collection, identification and description of the organisms. II. M aterials and M ethods To collect marine lignicolous fungi, the remains of drift wood and phanerogamic plants remains found loose on the sea shores were collected from several locations along the western coast of Libya in sterile plastic bags and brought to the laboratory, rinsed with tap water, placed on moist filter papers in glass chambers and incubated at room temperature for (4-8 weeks). Samples were examined periodically for any fungal growth. These were then transferred to slides for examination under light microscope. Lacto phenol cotton blue mounts of squash fungal fruit bodies were prepared for permanent specimens. The recorded fungi were identified using morphological traits (3) (4) (5). III. R esults Table 1: Shows the fungal species identified Ascomycetes Class Halosphaeriaceae 1. Family (11) Species 1. Arenariomyces majusculus Kohlm 2. Ceriosporopsis cambrensis Wilson 3. Ceriosporopsis halima , Linder 4. Corollospora gracilis Nakagiri & Tokura 5. Corollospora maritima Werderm 6. Halosarpheia fibrosa Kohlm 7. Halosphaeria circumvestita Kohlm 8. Halosphaeria maritima (Linder) Kohlm 9. Halosphaeria mediosetigera Cribb 10. Lulworthia medusa (Ellis & Everh) Cribb & Cribb. 11. Toorpedospora radiata , Meyers Pleosporaceae 12. Family 5 Species 1- Halotthia Posidonia (Durieu&Mont.)Kohlm 2-Leptosphaeria albopunctat a (west) Kohlm 3- Leptosphaeria orea - maris Linder 4- Pontoporeia biturbinata (Durieu&Mont.)Kohlm 5- Verroculina enalia Kohlm 1. Class 1. Family 4 Species T 1 Year 2022 65 © 2022 Global Journals Global Journal of Science Frontier Research Volume XXII Issue ersion I VI ( H ) Author α σ : Department of Biology. Faculty of Education. University of Tripoli. Tripoli/ Libya. e-mail: Ra.kafu@uot.edu.ly Author ρ : Marine Biology Research Center, Tajura, Libya. Deuteromycetes Dematiaceae