Alternative repetitional conidia in Conidiobolus adiaeretus: development and germination

Abstract

We report the ability of Conidiobolus adiaeretus to form repetitional microconidia and capilliconidia. Detailed descriptions of development and germination are given. This is the first report of any entomophthoralean fungus producing both these alternative conidial types. This cuts across current definitions of subgenera in Conidiobolus which are based on the absence of these conidial types or on the presence of either microconidia or capilliconidia but not both. Co-occurrence of both these spore types, along with the unusual mode of formation of the microconidia, and the ability to derive capilliconidia directly from the latter, reinforce other features which set C. adiaeretus apart. Taxonomic, evolutionary and ecological implications are briefly discussed.