Document of bibliographic reference 332563

BibliographicReference record

Type

Bibliographic resource

Type of document

Book chapters

BibLvlCode

AM

Title

Wood deterioration by marine borers

Abstract

Cultural Heritage wood exposed in saline and brackish waters may be subjected to severe damage by marine borers in a relatively short time compared to fungi and bacteria. This chapter discusses the wood-boring molluscan families Teredinidae, Pholadidae and Xylophagaidae and the crustacean families Limnoriidae, Sphaeromatidae and Cheluridae.An introduction of each family is first provided which includes aspects of taxonomy and phylogeny grounded on molecular data and morphological features’ analyses. Elements of animals’ morphology and physiology are then examined. Their body plan, size, shape, segmentation, bearing appendages etc. are illustrated. Animals’ reproductive systems and fertilization modes in both dioecious and hermaphroditic taxa are presented and the life histories of oviparous or larviparous species are described. Behavioural features associated to populations’ growth, such as mating, parental care and migration tactics, to wood detection, such as chemoreception and mechanoreception and to wood settlement, such as phototaxis, thigmotaxis and geotaxis are also considered.Marine borers’ distribution, habitat and niche are then explored with special reference to environmental factors such as temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen and depth and to the biota with which may have symbiotic relationships. Factors related to the wooden substrate, such as species, grain orientation, lignification, water content, preservatives’ treatment, presence of decaying fungi, which are influencing their colonizing behaviour, development and boring activity are also mentioned.Finally, wood boring mechanisms and feeding habits are elucidated for seston feeders using wood solely as a shelter and for xylophagous borers utilizing it as a source of nourishment. Animals’ adaptations for settlement and boring are explored and decay patterns and burrows morphology are exemplified. Wood digestive mechanisms, employed by wood feeders are also discussed, along with the lignocellulose enzyme systems used, produced either endogenously or by symbiotic microorganisms harbouring animals’ digestive truck.

Bibliographic citation

Pournou, A. (2020). Wood deterioration by marine borers, in: Pournou, A. Biodeterioration of wooden cultural heritage. pp. 261-343. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-46504-9_5

Topic

Marine