Degradation of Lignocellulose Material by Marine Fungi 323 



TABLE 1 



Cellulolytic Activity of 



Zalerion raptor and Zalerion xylestrix 



ON Walseth Cellulose 



Funnus 



Age of 

 Culture 

 in Days 



Activity of Fungal Filtrates 

 mg RS/ml/24 hour 



Z. raptor 



3* 



7* 



12** 

 13 

 16 

 20 



0.139 



0.185 



0.765 



1.67 



0.937 



0.795 



1.05 



Z. xylestrix 



5 



12 

 12 

 14 

 15 

 18 



0.138 



1.25 



1.11 



1.31 



1.15 



1.12 



* Samples taken aseptically from culture vessel. 

 ** Flasks inoculated one week after initial experiment. 



greater cellulolytic activity (Table 1) than the other fungal 

 filtrates of this species. 



Field Studies 



Measurements of breaking strength of cordage exposed at 

 The Marine Laboratory pier are plotted in Figure 5. 



In view of the complexity of biological and physical factors 

 affecting the submerged cordage, the correlation between de- 

 crease in cordage strength with increased exposure is noteworthy. 

 Reduction in strength was not evident prior to ten to twelve days 

 following submergence. Although frames C and D were sub- 

 merged approximately 30 to 40 feet apart, considerably less var- 

 iability in the relationship of increased degradation with length 

 of exposure was noted with the cordage on frame D. 



Fungal infestation of tlie twine occurred within five days 

 following submergence, with considerable variation in the in- 

 tensity of attack along the entire length of the cordage. Varia- 

 bilit)' in infestation has been observed between individual fibers 



