International Journal of Horticulture and Floriculture ISSN 2756-3790 Vol. 10 (5), pp. 001-004, May, 2022. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Epiphytic organisms on the pneumatophores of the mangrove Avicennia marina: occurrence and possible function

Y. Naidoo*, T. D. Steinke, F. D. Mann, A. Bhatt and S. Gairola

School of Biological and Conservation Sciences, University of KwaZulu- Natal, Westville Campus KZN, South Africa.

Accepted 28 January 2022

Abstract

The nature of the epiphytism of red algae and also the occurrence and possible role of other epiphytic micro-organisms within the superficial tissues of pneumatophores of Avicennia marina (Forssk.) Vierh. were investigated. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies revealed that bacteria and holdfasts of red algae were present in damaged tissue of the periderm. Culture studies indicated that some bacteria were diazotrophic. A mutualistic relationship between epiphytes and mangrove pneumatophores was postulated.

Keywords: Algae, bacteria, epiphytism, mangrove, Avicennia marina.