Environmental factors affecting chytrid (Chytridiomycota) infection rates on Planktothrix agardhii.

ABSTRACT: Planktothrix agardhii dominates the cyanobacterial harmful algal bloom biomass in Sandusky Bay, Lake Erie (USA) from May until September. This filamentous cyanobacterium known parasites including the chytrid fungal species Rhizophydium sp. C02, which was previously isolated from this region. The purpose of our work has been to establish how parasitic interactions affect Planktothrix population dynamics during a bloom event. Samples analyzed from the 2015 to 2019 bloom seasons using quantitative PCR investigate the spatial and temporal prevalence of chytrid infections. Abiotic factors examined in lab include manipulating temperature (17-31°C), conductivity (0.226-1.225 mS/cm) and turbulence. Planktothrix-specific chytrids are present throughout the bloom period a

SUBMITTER: McKindles KM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8461644 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep-Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature