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Ultrastructural studies of basidial and basidiospore development and basidiospore release in Chondrostereum purpureum
Author(s) -
Spiers A. G.,
Hopcroft D. H.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
european journal of forest pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.535
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1439-0329
pISSN - 0300-1237
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0329.1988.tb00224.x
Subject(s) - basidiospore , basidium , biology , botany , ultrastructure , basidiocarp , spore , taxonomy (biology)
Basidia of Chondrostereum purpureum formed sympodially and extended enteroblastically and were delimited by a primary septum with a septal pore apparatus. Basidia were initially binucleate and following karyogamy and meiosis four daughter nuclei formed and entered basidiospore initially. Sterigmata formed by enteroblastic extension of the innermost basidial layer. Basidiospore initials developed on the top of sterigmata and cytoplasmic vesicles were numerous in their apices. Basidiospore initials were delimited from sterigmata by formation of an electron‐lucent zone. Basidiospores were released by rupture at or below the electron‐lucent zone, often leaving a portion of the sterigmal wall attached. Sporophores and basidia survived desiccation (22% water content) by vacuolation and condensation of cytoplasm. Sporophores had a strong affinity for moisture and rehydrated rapidly attaining water contents of 80% in less than ten minutes. Several hours elapsed however before a significant number of basidiospores were released. Field studies showed the importance of rain in hydrating sporophores and influence of high relative humidity in maintaining spore release.