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Conidium germination in co-occurring Conidiobolus and Basidiobolus in relation to their ecology

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 October 1999

S. D. WATERS  and
A. A. CALLAGHAN
S. D. WATERS
Affiliation:
Science Department, Stoke-on-Trent College, Stoke Road, Shelton, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 2DG, U.K.
A. A. CALLAGHAN
Affiliation:
School of Sciences, Biology Division, Staffordshire University, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 2DE, U.K.
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Abstract

Germination of primary and secondary conidia of 33 strains (12 spp.) of co-occurring Conidiobolus and Basidiobolus from three closely adjacent managed habitats was studied in relation to general nutrient level, water activity of substratrum, light and temperature. A further 26 strains (16 spp.) derived from culture collections, and including insect pathogens and saprotrophs, were also compared. Nutrient levels triggering germ-tube formation differed widely amongst strains ; capilliconidial strains and/or presumptive pathogens usually had a low threshold. Successive generations of globose replicative conidia formed alternative conidial forms in increasing proportions. Water activity (aw) strong influenced development of non-globose conidial forms (microconidia, capilliconidia and actively discharged elongate conidia). Profiles of response to nutrients, aw, temperature and light differed between strains (and species) and the comparison represents a first stage in determining niche differentiation, including the putative interactions of these common fungi with litter invertebrates.

Type
Research Article
Information
Mycological Research , Volume 103 , Issue 10 , October 1999 , pp. 1259 - 1269
Copyright
The British Mycological Society 1999

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