This is the same microalga of
standing-decaying smooth-cordgrass blades, as seen in the previous
link (Pseudendoclonium submarinum). This preparation,
however, has been fluorochromed with calcofluor, which has adhered
to the algal cell walls, and caused them to fluoresce blue-white
when excited with 350-380-nm UV light. Thus, in this image the
whole of each cell of the alga (about 3-5 µm across) can be
seen, rather than just the red-fluorescing clorophyll-containing
portion as in the previous link. Calcofluor is also a fluorochrome
for fungal hyphae; a hypha can be seen in this image (the filament
running diagonally between the two large algal colonies). Most of
the fungal hyphae of the decaying-leaf system are not on the
surface with the algae -- they're inside. Is
this partially because the fungal hyphae are not good at defending
themselves against predation (by protozoa?; by bacteria?; by
viruses?). See Newell, 1993, Adv Microb Ecol 13:301-326; Newell &
Porter, 2000, pp.159-185, in Weinstein & Kreeger, Concepts and
Controversies in Tidal Marsh Ecology, Kluwer.