Degradation of Lignocellulose Material by Marine Fungi 327 



significant reduction in cordage strengtli by the fungus was 

 demonstrated after a growth period of 40 days. 



Considerable variabHty in tlie intensity of reproduction on 

 the Manila is evident. In some instances rupture of the cordage 

 occuiTed in these areas, whereas in various tests no correlation 

 between maximal reproduction and area of break was indicated. 

 It is possible that in older cultures of Lulworthia, as has been 

 observed earlier in sucli cultures of T. radiafa and HaJospha- 

 eriopsis sp., more vigorous degradation of tlie lignocellulose 

 substrate occurs in the region of fungal reproduction. Studies 

 along these lines are in progress. 



Because of the variabilities of fungal infestation in uniclonal 

 growth, we have not been able to show an absolute conelation be- 

 tween the nature and intensity of fungal attack and the actual 

 decrease in the breaking strength of the cordage. Furthermore, 

 the role of the fungal biota in the degradation of cordage exposed 

 in the marine environment cannot be estimated with accuracy. 

 Obviously, other organisms as well as complex environmental 

 factors are active in the degradative process. However, it is ob- 

 vious that the specificity of fungal attack is an extremely im- 

 portant consideration in any evaluation of the contribution of 

 fungi to other biological processes. The laboratoiy studies dis- 

 cussed in this paper and the frequency of isolation of cellulo- 

 lytic species from submerged cordage is presumptive evidence 

 for the participation of marine fungi in degradative processes 

 under natural conditions. Subsequent critical examinations of 

 microbial decomposition of submerged wood, and its multiphasic 

 processes, must consider the diverse activities of wood-inhabiting 

 marine fungi in this phenomenon. 



ACKNOWLEDGMENT 



We gratefully acknowledge the enthusiastic participation by 

 Miss Katherine Kamp in numerous technical aspects of this study. 

 The invaluable suggestions of Dr. Bryce Prindle in preparation of 

 the testing procedures are appreciated. 



SUMMARY 



Exposure tests of Manila (Abaca) in Biscayne Bay, Florida, 



