Jackson Estuarine Laboratory
Impact of the wasting disease pathogen, Labryrinthula on the photobiology of eelgrass Zostera marina
Abstract
Labyrinthula zosterae is clearly shown to be a primary pathogen of eelgrass Zostera marina L., not merely a secondary infection of senescent leaves or an indication of decomposition. The results of this investigation using a Diving-PAM fluorometer indicate that the regions of tissue photosynthetically compromised by Labyrinthula are substantially larger than previously thought. Labyrinthula moves through Zostera marina tissue at a rate of up to 0.8 mm h–1 during daylight periods. The photosynthetic efficiency of apparently healthy green leaf tissue can be reduced by almost 50% in areas up to 3 mm from a necrotic region infected with Labyrinthula. Once a necrotic spot expands to bisect the eelgrass leaf, the condition of all acropetal tissue is diminished; leaf tissue up to 5 cm away has severely reduced photosynthetic activity.
Publication Date
1-31-2002
Journal Title
Marine Ecology Progress Series
Publisher
Inter-Research Science Publisher
Document Type
Article
Recommended Citation
Ralph, P. and F.T. Short. 2002. Impact of the wasting disease pathogen, Labryrinthula on the photobiology of eelgrass Zostera marina. Marine Ecology Progress Series 226:265-271.
Comments
This is an article published by Inter-Research Science Center in Marine Ecology Progress Series, in 1991, available online: https://www.int-res.com/articles/meps/226/m226p265.pdf