Abstract:
The authors report the first observation of the fungal parasite of unicellular algae, P. euglenae, in New Zealand. The parasite infection was observed in the Mangere oxidation pond algae E. acus and E. polymorpha and increased potential for pond odour problems, posing a threat to pond operations. E. acus was particularly susceptible to parasitism and was identified as the putative primary host. Epidemic levels of P. euglenae were seasonal, lasting for 4-5 weeks from early November until late December of 1992 and 1993.
