AQUATIC HYPHOMYCETES - BIOLOGY AND IMPLICATION IN RIVER ECOLOGY

Aquatic hyphomycetes are found throughout the world in continental, mostly running waters. These fungi produce a great number of conidia whose morphology is well adapted to the colonization of substrata submerged in streams. The distribution of aquatic hyphomycete species and the composition of communities are mainly influenced by the temperature and the water quality of rivers, but are possibly controlled by other environmental factors (e.g. the altitude and the nature of the riparian vegetation). Aquatic hyphomycetes are involved in litter decomposition which is a key process in river functioning. The enzymatic equipment of these fungi include cellulase, phenol oxydase, pectinase, lipase, protease and amylase. Their activity cause the conditioning and the maceration of plant matter resulting both in an enhanced assimilation by stream invertebrates and in the release of fine particulate organic matter.