Abstract
Conidial development of Cordyceps militaris was observed from germinating aseospores and vegetative hyphae through light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Aseospores were discharged from fresh specimens of C. militaris in sterile water as well as Sabouraud Dextrose agar plus Yeast Extract (SDAY) plates. We observed aseospore germination and conidial formation periodically. Under submerged condition in sterile water, most part-spores germinated unidireetionally and eonidia were developed directly from the tips of germinating hyphae of part-spores within 36 h after aseospore discharge, showing mieroeyelie eonidiation. First-formed eonidia were cylindrical or elavate followed by globose and ellipsoidal ones. Germination of aseospores and conidial development were observed on SDAY agar by SEM. Slimy heads of eonidia on variously arranged phialides, from solitary to whorl, developed 5 days after aseospore discharge. Besides, two distinct types of eonidia, elongated pyriform or cylindrical and globose, were observed in the same slimy heads by SEM. Conidia were shown to be uninucleate with 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining. Conidiogenous cells were more slender than vegetative hyphae, having attenuated tips. Mieroeyelie eonidiation, undifferentiated conidiogenous hyphae (phialides), polymorphic eonidia and solitary, opposite to whorled type of phialidie arrangement are reported here as the characteristic features of asexual stage of C. militaris, which can be distinguished from other Cordyceps species.
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