Spore ontogeny in species of Phillipsia and Wynnea (Pezizales)

Abstract

Some species of the genera Phillipsia and Wynnea have similar longitudinally ridged cyanophobic ascospore markings. Ultrastructural studies show that the cyanophobic spore markings are part of the primary wall. In contrast, the cyanophilous spore ornaments are formed by the secondary wall. The observation of spore wall development indicates that the sources of the spore wall components are the sporoplasm and the epiplasm. Based on the pinkish hymenial color of fresh young apothecia and the cyanophobic spore ridges found only in some members of the Sarcoscyphaceae, Wynnea belongs to the Sarcoscyphaceae. Keywords: Pezizales, Phillipsia, Sarcoscyphaceae, spore wall ontogeny, ultrastructure, Wynnea.