Holzzerstörende Pilze im Meerwasser [ [Wood-destroying fungi in seawater]]

The morphology and physiology of the marine fungi are adapted to the life in sea water in various ways. Liberation, dispersal and attachment of the spores are favoured by various facilities. Wood samples taken from aquaria, containing breeds of gribbles and shipworms in artificial, sea water since years, showed entirely all attack of marine fungi. The vital activity of the cellulose-decomposing microorganisms could be detected already after a short time by submerging cellulosefoils into the aquaria. Symbiotic relations exist between marine fungi and gribbles. By the destruction of the surface the animals help the soft rot fungi to enter deeply into the wood. Thus the animals promote the dissemination of the fungi by endosoic spreading of the spores. The gribbles themselves are promoted by the growth of the marine fungi. As it seems that Limnoria is not in a position to digest native longchained cellulose, the cellulase-forming jungi only make it possible for them—probably by decomposing part of the cellulose—to feed on the wood substance.