New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research abstracts

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Pseudosphaerita euglenae, a fungal parasite of Euglena spp. in the Mangere Oxidation Ponds, Auckland, New Zealand

S. A. ANDERSON
A. STEWART

School of Biological Sciences
University of Auckland
Private Bag 92 019
Auckland, New Zealand

G. TOLICH ALLEN

Watercare Services Limited
Island Road
Mangere
P. O. Box 59077
Auckland, New Zealand

Abstract  We report the first observation of the fungal parasite of unicellular algae, Pseudosphaerita euglenae, in New Zealand. The parasite infection was observed in the Mangere oxidation pond algae Euglena acus and Euglena polymorpha and increased potential for pond odour problems, posing a threat to pond operations. E. acus was particularly susceptible to parasitism and was identified as the putative primary host; this is the first record of P. euglenae infecting E. acus. Epidemic levels of P. euglenae were seasonal, lasting for 4-5 weeks from early November until late December of 1992 and 1993. Physico-chemical parameters showing a significant relationship to E. acus infection levels were temperature, cell numbers of E. polymorpha and Chlorella. Parameters associated with E. polymorpha infection were temperature, cell numbers of E. polymorpha and Chlorella, dissolved oxygen (a.m.), and negative redox potential. The calculated critical temperature for P. euglenae infection of Euglena was 17deg.C.

Keywords  oxidation ponds; fungal parasite; Pseudosphaerita euglenae; Euglena acus; Euglena polymorpha; temperature

New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 1995, Vol. 29: 371-379

0028-8330/95/2903-0371 $2.50/0 (c) The Royal Society of New Zealand 1995

PDF file of entire paper: medium quality (1019K); (scanned from paper original: notes about this process)

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