The apical apparatus of the suboperculate ascus
1975; Canadian Science Publishing; Volume: 53; Issue: 22 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1139/b75-295
ISSN1480-3305
Autores Tópico(s)Fungal Biology and Applications
ResumoCytochemical and ultrastructural studies have been made on the apical apparatus of six members of the suborder Sarcoscyphineae (Pezizales), an aggregate of cup fungi that displays unusually thick opercula. Various workers have placed these types into a group entitled the suboperculates, which demonstrate properties of the apical apparatus similar to both the inoper-culate and the true operculate Discomycetes. Recently, certain researchers have questioned the validity of the suboperculate apical apparatus as a stable phylogenetic indicator.Investigations were made from freshly collected material including Sarcoscypha coccinea, Phillipsia domingensis, and Wynnea americana, and from herbarium specimens including Cookeina sulcipes, Urnula craterium, and Pseudoplectania nigrella. Of the stains used for light microscope examination, Congo red proved to be the most successful for observing the opercula of fresh and revived material. Ultrathin sections for electron microscopic inspection were often treated with silver methenamine to enhance wall characteristics.The operculum is derived from the inner layer and bordered by a fibrillar zone of dehiscence which is typically absent in the outer layer. The degree of complexity of the apical apparatus ranged from a simple structure seen in Pseudoplectania to a sophisticated form found in Cookeina. The morphology of the operculum and its related components in unique enough to be implemented as a useful taxonomic criterion.
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