New Taxa for Marine Fungi from Western Coast of Libya

Background: Marine fungi can be found in every marine habitat and are important organisms from ecological and biotechnological perspectives. However, there is little information on marine fungi in Libya. Objective: To report on marine fungi species from Libya. Method: Organisms were isolated from drift wood and phanerogamic plant remains from six different locations along the western coast of Libya. The collected specimens were examined under light microscope and standard identification keys were used. Result and Conclusion: Thirteen marine fungal species have been identified from driftwood and phanerogamic plant remains. These species belong to the classes Ascomycetes (eleven species) and Hyphomycetes (two species). The identified organisms were not reported previously from Libya. More studies are needed in the future to address the importance of marine fungi ecologically and biotechnologically in Libya.