Ultrastructural studies on the cleistothecial development of Emericellopsis microspora (Eurotiales, Ascomycetes)

Abstract

Cytological development of ascocarps in Emericellopsis is described. Intertwined hyphae initiate ascocarp primordia in the center of which enlarged ascogonial cells occur. Walls between the central cells disintegrate, resulting in an enlarged, multinucleate cell from which ascogenous cells emerge. Cell walls are reconstituted and repetitious croziers (pleurorhynque type) develop into chains of asci that mature in consecutive order. Ascosporogenesis is very similar to that in other filamentous ascomycetes. Ascogonial formation, ascocarp development, and the ascogenous system are compared with Ascosphaera and Monascus. Centrum development in Emericellopsis is very similar to that in these genera, and in this respect somewhat sets them apart from other ascomycetes. Key words: Monascus, Ascosphaera, Plectomycetes, cytological development, crazier, ascogenesis, ascal chain, ascosporogenesis, cell fusion, centrum.