Nuclear behavior during sporulation of the true slime mold Didymium nigripes

Abstract

Nuclear behavior during sporulation of the true slime mold Didymium nigripes Fries includes extensive episodes of nuclear degeneration of a magnitude not previously suspected, two mitotic divisions, and changes in nuclear morphology. Nuclear and nucleolar diameter are reduced and up to 60% of the nuclei present at the onset of sporulation degenerate. Didymium nigripes possesses nuclei of several ploidy levels throughout its life cycle, and ratios of these nuclear size classes change in random fashion during sporulation, presumably as a result of nuclear degeneration. This study demonstrates that the end result of nuclear degeneration is not the elimination of a single size class of nucleus.