Sclerotia of Aspergillus aculeatus

Abstract

Sclerotial development in Aspergillus aculeatus is described for the first time. The sclerotium originates as a knot of interwoven hyphae. The mature sclerotium has a rind of flattened hyphae, below which are two cortical layers and a medulla. The outer cortical layer has isodiametric cells and the inner layer has somewhat radially elongated polyhedral cells. The thick walls of the cortical cells are perforated by simple septal pores. The medulla comprises a loosely interwoven mass of hyphae. Sclerotia remain pale luteous.