77 - Agaricostilbum Wright

Abstract

This chapter focuses on Agaricostilbum genus. The basidia of this genus occur predominantly in synnemata-like basidiomata, but reduced basidiocarps may consist of only a few hyphal strands. The fertile hyphae usually terminate with four-celled basidia and each basidial cell buds off sporidia. Many of the spores remain attached at any one time and both the basidia and the basidiospores tend to become thick-walled, perhaps because of the exposed habitats occupied by these fungi. Agaricostilbum hyphaenes is the sole member species of this genus. The cells of this species, after undergoing growth on 5% malt extract agar for 5 days at 25° C, appear as ellipsoidal to fusoidal, occasionally somewhat cylindrical, and single. Budding is polar with enteroblastic proliferation and usually on a short denticle. And its colonies are pale yellowish-cream, smooth, shiny, and butyrous. On culturing the species on Dalmau plate on morphology agar for 5 days at 25° C, no hyphae or pseudohyphae are formed. The cells are similar to those on malt extract agar, but frequently form short chains or aggregates.