The occurrence and distribution of marine lignicoious fungi in the inner area of Milazzo harbour (Messina) were investigated. Marine fungi belonging to the Ascomycotina, Deuteromycotina and Basidiomycotina, occurring on panels of Pinus sylvestris, Fagus sylvatica and Populus sp. were identified. The total number of fungal occurrences was 254 belonging to 16 species (13 genera). The most common fungi found were Corollospora maritima, Lulworthia sp., Remispora maritima (Ascomycotina) and Cirrenalia macrocephala (Deuteromycotina). Seasonal variation in the occurrence of fungi was noted, with the greatest number occurring during the summer months. Most fungi were detected on poplar and observations are made on the distribution of fungi with depth. This study greatly extends our knowledge of lignicoious marine fungi in the Mediterranean.

The occurrence and distribution of lignicolous marine fungi in the Straits of Messina has been studied. Using submerged panels of pine, beech and poplar, twenty fungal species were identified. The lignicolous mycoflora of the Messina Straits was not significantly different from that reported in the literature for other temperate marine coastal environments, Ascomycotina being frequent, while Basidiomycotina were rare.

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