Phototropic and Geotropic Responses During the Development of Normal and Mutant Fruit Bodies of the Basidiomycete Schizophyllum commune

Abstract

SUMMARY: Tropic responses occur during the development of fruit bodies of the basidiomycete Schizophyllum commune. The stipe (stage II) formed from the masses of aggregated cells (stage I), was positively phototropic to light of wavelengths 420 and 540 nm but not 600 or 660 nm. The apical pit (stage III) was positively geotropic and the development of gills (stage IV) occurred in response to gravity so that the gilled surface faced downwards. The expansion of the pileus (stage V) was negatively geotropic.