Ultrastructure of the zoospore of Blastocladia ramosa (Blastocladiales)

Abstract

Species of Blastocladia, unlike other members of the order Blastocladiales, have an obligately fermentative metabolism. The ultrastructure of the zoospores of Blastocladia ramosa is described and compared with that of zoospores of aerobic members of the Blastocladiales. Zoospores of Blastocladia ramosa are structurally similar to other blastocladialean zoospores in that they have (i) a nuclear cap composed of aggregated ribosomes delimited by an envelope of endoplasmic reticulum; (ii) a posteriorly located nucleus; (iii) nine sets of microtubules that surround the nucleus and nuclear cap; and (iv) a striated rootlet associated with the kinetosome. Zoospores of Blastocladia ramosa differ by having mitochondria with unusual fine structure and by lacking microbodies and microbody – lipid globule complexes. As shown by enzymatic digestion and staining, glycogen appears to be the primary storage material in the zoospore. Structures which resemble water expulsion vacuoles are present. The morphological differences between zoospores of Blastocladia ramosa and other zoospores of the Blastocladiales appear to be related to physiological differences.