Fine structure of conidiogenesis in the holoblastic, sympodial Tritirachium roseum

Abstract

Electron microscopy of conidiogenesis in Tritirachium roseum was done on material fixed in glutaraldehyde followed by OsO4. The walls of conidiogenous cells, though pigmented, lacked well-defined differential electron-transmission layers. Conidial initials developed without the appearance of a rupture in the conidiogenous cell wall, i.e., development was holoblastic. Each successively produced conidiogenous locus developed below and to one side of the previously formed conidium, and the fertile region of the conidiogenous cell elongated in a geniculate pattern. After each conidial initial reached full size, it was delimited by a centripetally developing septum, which increased in thickness, became double, and split during conidial secession. The distal half of a split septum formed the conidial base; the proximal half remained as part of the conidiogenous cell wall. Upon conidial secession, basal frills on conidia, and secession scars on conidiogenous cells were especially conspicuous.