Observations on the vertical distribution of marine fungi on Rhizophora spp., at Kampong Danau mangrove, Brunei

Rhizophora spp. occurring in mangrove habitats are excellent hosts for marine fungi. The morphological adaptations of this host plant provide suitable niche for the marine fungi. This review deals with diversity and ecology of marine fungi occurring on Rhizophora spp. Two hundred and one fungal species have been recorded on Rhizophora plant species consisting of more than ten fungal species specific to this host. In mangroves, no other genus other than Rhizophora accommodates as many as 201 marine fungi. Rhizophora plant species are highly suitable hosts as they show a variety of niches with vertical zonation, specificity, preferential colonization and succession. Thus this host could be considered as one of the important hosts to investigate marine fungi. The current review provides updated information based on the available literature with checklists on diversity and distribution of fungi on Rhizophora spp.