title: Liquid culture and growth quantification of the seagrass pathogen, Labyrinthula spp.
abstract: Symptoms characteristic of wasting disease, thought to result from infection by protozoan pathogens (i.e. Labyrinthula spp.), are a common phenomenon affecting seagrass species worldwide. However relatively little is known about factors that control the survival and success of Labyrinthula in part due to the difficulty associated with quantifying the growth of this organism. Here we describe a simple and inexpensive method for measuring growth of Labyrinthula in liquid culture that takes into consideration both cell density and areal spread. The technique allows for examination of the effects of both abiotic and biotic factors on the growth of Labyrinthula apart from its seagrass host, separating the effects of environmental condition on the host from their effects on the pathogen.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama 36688, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Boone
authors.forename: Melanie M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Caldwell
authors.forename: Kelly M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Major
authors.forename: Anne A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Boettcher
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D031321:Hydrocharitaceae / Q000469:parasitology*; D010274:Parasitology / Q000379:methods; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D012965:Sodium Chloride
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D012965:Sodium Chloride