Conidial Nuclei in Three Species of Diatrypaceae and Diaporthe vaccinii

Abstract

Morphology of conidial nuclei in Cryptosphaeria populina, Eutypella vitis, and Diatrype stigma was studied and compared with that of nuclei in conidia of Diaporthe vaccinii. Giemsa and DAPI stains revealed that the diatrypaceous conidial nuclei were elongate and centrally located, often occupying a large cellular volume. Diaporthe vaccinii beta conidial nuclei were shorter and located near the basal ends of spores, while those of alpha conidia were ovoid and usually in the central regions of the spores. Similarities between conidial nuclei of diatrypaceous and xylariaceous fungi are noted. The significance of these findings in relation to the taxonomy of the Diatrypaceae, Xylariaceae, and Diaporthales is discussed.