Biosystematics and Distribution of Lagenidium callinectes, a Fungal Pathogen of Marine Crustacea

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Abstract
The research described herein involves quantification and analysis of differences among eight isolates of L. callinectes grown under standardized conditions. The study included morphological comparisons (spore size, vesicle size, and eleven hyphal growth characters) of the isolates during major points in their life cycles, as well as an analysis of physiological characteristics of isolates of L. callinectes and, for comparison, Haliphthoros miflordensis. Although results of the morphological evaluation were inconclusive, computerized clustering analysis of physiological characters grouped the isolates in four distinct subgroups, while the isolates in each subgroup occurring in similar geographic regions. Because of overall morphological similarity among the isolates, previously reported physiological differences were not deemed sufficient for recognition of separate species within the L. callinectes "complex". For this reason, the original description of L. callinectes is modified to reflect observed variation among isolates.