Relationship between Epiphytic Algal Species and their Macrophytic Hosts

Abstract

EPIPHYTES on the submerged parts of macrophytes have long been studied, but mainly from the taxonomic point of view. Little is known about the relationship of epiphytes with their host plants, or more particularly, whether certain species of algal epiphytes are associated with certain species of macrophytes. From observations made in Scotland, Sudan and in Malaya, I think that there is possibly some association. Mention was made of this in 1955¹, but since then there seems to have been no published information concerning this aspect of algal ecology.