Spore Germination, Hyphal Morphology, Homothallism, and Conidial State in Melanospora zamiae

Abstract

Cultural morphology of Melanospora zamiae on V-8 vegetable juice agar is described and hyphal structure is illustrated with fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy. Homothalism is demonstrated and the connection to a conidial state is verified by means of single-ascospore isolates. The conidial state is described and illustrated with light and scanning electron micrographs. The need for an association in culture with a foreign fungus before sporulation can occur is discussed.