Life cycles of five species of chytrid fungi (Chytridiomycota), Rhizophydium acuforme, Rhizophydium transversum, Dangeardia echinulata, Dangeardia mammilata, and Saccomyces dangeardii, were investigated. The fungi parasitized four species of flagellated green and euglenophytic algae: Chlamydomonas noctigama, Vitreochlamys aulata, Eudorina elegans (Chlorophyta), and Euglena viridis (Euglenophyta). Fungal species were observed exclusively during mass development of the associated algal hosts (so called water bloom phenomenon) in small water bodies and during warm seasons. Development of each parasitic fungus had devastating effect on algal populations (epiphytoty phenomenon) and caused significant decrease in abundance or resulted in algal population death. Detailed descriptions of the observed fungi, features of their development, ecology and distribution as well as original micrographs are provided. Some issues concerning morphological variability of the diagnostic characters used for identification of Chytridiomycota, particularly structure of their trophic system, are discussed.

Keywords: algal parasite, aquatic fungi, mycobiota, new record, Dangeardia echinulata, Dangeardia mammilata, Rhizophydium acuforme, Rhizophydium transversum, Saccomyces dangeardii

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