Molecular characterization of marine fungi associated with Haliclona sp.(sponge) and Turbinaria conoides and Sargassum portierianum (brown algae)
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3 November 2022
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The Mauritian waters harbour micro-organisms that have successfully adapted to their environment; however, the mycobiota associated with algae and sponges have been poorly studied and are awaiting to be identified and exploited. This study focusses on the fungi associated with the sponge Haliclona sp. and two brown algae Turbinaria conoides and Sargassum portierianum from Mauritius. Samples of Haliclona sp., Turbinaria conoides and Sargassum portierianum were collected in the North of Mauritius, and associated fungi were isolated after surface sterilization and plating on artificial media supplemented with seawater. A total of 17 morphologically different isolates were recovered from Haliclona sp., 20 isolates were obtained from Turbinaria conoides, and 16 isolates were from Sargassum portierianum. The selected sponge-associated fungi have been identified as Acremonium sp., Periconia byssoides, Pestalotiopsis sp. Endophytes from Turbinaria conoides were identified as Aspergillus penicilloides, Acremonium sp. and Cordyceps memorabilis, whereas those from Sargassum portierianum were identified as Pseudopithomyces maydicus, Acremonium sclerotigenum and Curvularia lunata. The ITS regions were suitable for identifying fungi up to the genus level. However, species level identification was problematic and should be used with caution.
