Abstract
Crystals of calcium oxalate have been found associated with a series of basidiomycete hyphae. while the morphology of these crystals is quite variable, two forms have been commonly found in association with gymnospermous litter. Graustein et al. using SEM found star-shaped (druse-like) crystal conglomerates associated with Hysterangium crassum which they believed to be the result of oxalate secretion followed by precipitation on the surface of the hyphae. Another example of fungi forming druselike crystal aggregates on their hyphae was found in a basidiomycete wood rotting fungus in which the development of the crystals appeared to arise from within the hyphae. Examination of the material by SEM showed a sheath covering the surface of crystals supporting the internal origin of the oxalate crystals. In the present case litter fungi were collected in a mixed pine and fir forest 15 miles south of Nederland, Gilpin County, Colorado (Arnott no. 264). The fungi were fixed in the field in gluteraldehyde, treated with 3% glycerol and freeze fractured. Other specimens were stored dry or critical-point dried for study by SEM. The nature of the crystals was determined by chemical solubility, birefringence and x-ray analysis. The fungi are basidiomycetes.
Published Version
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