Submit Manuscript

Journal of Biological Sciences

Year: 2001 | Volume: 1 | Issue: 8 | Page No.: 717-719
Facebook Twitter Digg Reddit Linkedin StumbleUpon E-mail
Research Article

Bacterial Decomposition of Avicennia marina Leaf Litter from Al-khor (Qatar-Arabian Gulf)

Adel M. Mahasneh

ABSTRACT

Overall rate of bacterial decomposition of Avicennia marina L. leaves of 0.34% day-1 was recorded on dry weight basis after 256 days of in situ incubation. Initial loss of 68.45% was observed after first 108 days and additional 20.66% loss was achieved at the end of the experiment after 256 days. Decomposing leaf litter samples harbored variable mean counts of bacteria ranging from 146 x106 of amylolytic bacteria to the lowest of 0.029X106 of the spore formers per gram wet weight. The dominant bacterial groups during decomposition were non spore formers and were in the order amylolytic > proteolytic > cellulolytic > lipolytic > spore formers. Highest decomposition percentage was observed during warm months.
PDF References Citation

Search

REFERENCES

  1. Mahasneh, A.M., 2000. Distribution, abundance and seasonal variation of aerobic heterotrophic marine bacteria attached to A. marina leaves and surrounding water at the Qatari Coast. A Report Prepared for SARC, University of Qatar, Doha, Qatar, pp: 22-52.
  2. O'Grady, A.P., K.A. Mcguinness and D. Eamus, 1996. The abundance and growth of Avicennia marina and Rhizophora stylosa in the low shore zone of Darwin Harbour, Northern Territory. Aust. J. Ecol., 21: 272-279.
    CrossRefDirect Link
  3. Ashton, E.C., P.J. Hogarth and R. Ormond, 1999. Breakdown of mangroove leaf litter in a managed mangrove forest in Peninsular Malaysia. Hydrobiol., 413: 77-88.
  4. De Godoy, S.A.P., M.A.S. Mayworm, V.K. Lo, A. Salatino and Y.N. Shaeffer, 1997. Contents of lignins, nitrogen and tannins in leaves of typical species of Mangroves. Revi. Brasil. Bota., 20: 35-40.
  5. Findlay, R.H., M.B. Trexler and D.C. White, 1990. Response of benthic microbial community to biotic disturbance. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser., 62: 135-148.
  6. Hargrave, B.T., 1972. Aerobic decomposition of sediment and detritus on a function of particle surface area and organic content. Limnol. Oceanogr., 17: 583-596.
  7. Kohlmeyer, J., B. Bebont and B. Volkmann-Kohlmeyer, 1995. Decomposition of mangrove wood by marine fungi and teredinids in Belize. Mar. Ecol., 16: 27-39.
  8. Lee, J.J., 1980. Conceptual Model of Marine Detrital Decomposition and the Organic Associated with the Process. In: Advances in Aquatic Microbiology, Droop, M.R and H.W. Jannasch (Eds.). Academic Press, London, pp: 257-291.
  9. Lee, S.Y., 1995. Mangrove out welling: A review. Hydrobiologia, 259: 203-212.
  10. Mackey, A.P. and G. Smail, 1996. The decomposition of mangrove litter in a subtropical mangrove forest. Hydrobiol., 332: 93-98.
  11. Phillips, A., G. Lambert, J.E. Granger and T.D. Steinke, 1996. Vertical zonation of epiphytic algae associated with Avicennia marina (Forssk.) Vierh: Pneumatophores at beechwood mangroves nature reserve, Durban, South Africa. Bot. Mar., 39: 167-175.
  12. Rublee, P.A. and M.R. Roman, 1982. Decomposition of turtlegrass (Thalassia testudium Konig) in flowing sea-water tanks and litter bags: Compositional changes and comparison with natural particulate matter. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol., 53: 47-58.
  13. Schrijvers, J., D.V. Gansbeke and D. Vinckx, 1995. Macrobenthic in fauna of mangroves and surrounding beaches at Gazi Bay, Kenya. Hydrobiol., 306: 53-66.
  14. Shome, R., B.R. Shome, A.B. Mandal and A.K. Bandhopadhyay, 1995. Bacterial flora in mangroves of Andaman Part I: Isolation, identification and antibiogram studies. Indian J. Mar. Sci., 24: 97-98.
  15. Tan, T.K. and C.L. Pek, 1997. Tropical Mangrove leaf litter fungi in Singapore with an emphasis on Halophytophora. Mycol. Res., 101: 165-168.
  16. Wafar, S., A.G. Untawale and M. Wafar, 1997. Litter fall and energy flux in a mangrove ecosystem. Estuarine Coastal Shelf Sci., 44: 111-124.
    CrossRefDirect Link
  17. Wahbeh, M.I. and A.M. Mahasneh, 1985. Some aspects of decomposition of leaf litter of the seagrass Halophila stipulacea from the Gulf of Aqaba (Jordan). Bot. Marina, 21: 237-244.

Search

Related Articles

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *