Ultrastructural Studies of Ascosporogenesis in Ascobolus Immersus
Journal
Mycologia
Journal Volume
84
Journal Issue
3
Pages
459-466
Date Issued
1992
Author(s)
Chi-Guang Wu
James W. Kimbrough
Abstract
Even though spores of Ascobolus immersus are much larger than those of any other species of the genus, ascosporogenesis in this species is basically identical to that of other species of Ascobolus. The spinelike precursors of the epispore layer are connected laterally into numerous periclinal lines. A dark band is formed above the layers of epispore and leaves a translucent zone separating the epispore from the matrix of the perisporic sac. The appearance of a translucent zone causes a fragile “exospure” similar to that found consistently in many coprophilous and pyrophilic discomycetes. Globular opaque bodies of epiplasmic origin and surrounded by amorphous electron dense granules are found in the perisporic sac and appear to be involved in ornament formation. Perisporic sac vacuoles that influence spore ornamentation in A. immersus are contrasted with those of other species of Ascobolus.
Subjects
discomycetes
epispore
perisporic sac
primary and secondary wall ontogeny
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Type
journal article
