Young Spores Research Articles

Accumulated melanin in molds provides wavelength-dependent UV tolerance.

Fungal contamination poses a serious threat to public health and food safety because molds can grow under stressful conditions through melanin accumulation. Although ultraviolet (UV) irradiation is popular for inhibiting microorganisms, its effectiveness is limited by our insufficient knowledge about UV tolerance in melanin-accumulating molds. In this study, we first confirmed the protective effect of melanin by evaluating the UV sensitivity of young and mature spores. Additionally, we compared UV sensitivity between spores with accumulated melanin and spores prepared with melanin biosynthesis inhibitors. We found that mature spores were less UV-sensitive than young spores, and that reduced melanin accumulation by inhibitors led to reduced UV sensitivity. These results suggest that melanin protects cells against UV irradiation. To determine the most effective wavelength for inhibition, we evaluated the wavelength dependence of UV tolerance in a yeast (Rhodotorula mucilaginosa) and in molds (Aspergillus fumigatus, Cladosporium halotolerans, Cladosporium sphaerospermum, Aspergillus brasiliensis, Penicillium roqueforti, and Botrytis cinerea). We assessed UV tolerance using a UV-light emitting diode (LED) irradiation system with 13 wavelength-ranked LEDs between 250 and 365nm, a krypton chlorine (KrCl) excimer lamp device, and a low pressure (LP) Hg lamp device. The inhibition of fungi peaked at around 270nm, and most molds showed reduced UV sensitivity at shorter wavelengths as they accumulated pigment. Absorption spectra of the pigments showed greater absorption at shorter wavelengths, suggesting greater UV protection at these wavelengths. These results will assist in the development of fungal disinfection systems using UV, such as closed systems of air and water purification.

MICROCHEMICAL TECHNIQUES ON BOTRYTIS CINEREA: CONTRIBUTION TO IDENTIFICATION OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY METABOLITES

Histochemical techniques comprise several staining methods in microscopy for investigation of chemical groups or pathologies regarding tissues in plants and fungi and have been widely used for detection of groups of substances. Thereby, our work demonstrates the application of histochemical techniques recognized for detection of secondary metabolites in plants to detect substances in the fungus Botrytis cinerea. Our findings are compatible with previous reports on metabolites identified in B. cinerea, and show proteins stored in vesicular structures (0.3-0.9µm), accumulated in small groups inside of developed mycelia, and in large quantity in spores (0.2-0.7µm). Alkaloids were only detected in mycelium containing spores, not influenced by their size. Terpenoids were detected in spores, and with lighter color for mycelia vesicles. However, in younger mycelium we verified terpenoids in storage structures in the mycelia segments, demonstrating higher quantity in early development. The presence of neutral polysaccharides and terpenoids was observed around the mycelia containing younger spores and, in some storage, structures close to the spores. Our results corroborate reports on the presence of substances of the secondary metabolism in B. cinerea and could be utilized in other species of fungi to screen substances of pharmacological and nutraceutical interest.

An exocyst component, Sec5, is essential for ascospore formation in Bipolaris maydis.

In this study, we identified Sec5 in Bipolaris maydis, a homologue of Sec5 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and a possible exocyst component of the fungus. To examine how Sec5 affects the life cycle of B. maydis, we generated null mutant strains of the gene (Δsec5). The Δsec5 strains showed a strong reduction in hyphal growth and a slight reduction in pathogenicity. In sexual reproduction, they possessed the ability to develop pseudothecia. However, all ascospores were aborted in any of the asci obtained from crosses between Δsec5 and the wild-type. Our cytological study revealed that the abortion was caused by impairments of the post-meiotic stages in ascospore development, where ascospore delimitation and young spore elongation occur.

Micromitrium vazhanicum (Micromitriaceae; Bryophyta) a new species from the Western Ghats of India

Micromitrium vazhanicum sp. nov. (Micomitriacecae), related to M. tenerum and M. austinii, is described from the Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary of the Western Ghats of Peninsular India. It is a tiny moss that grows in temporary ponds and moist muddy soil of the Moist Deciduous Forest of the Sanctuary. The minute leafy plants are barely identifiable in the field and grow in patches resembling filamentous green algal colonies. It is characterized by highly dome-shaped papillate persistent calyptra, spinose young spores and large mature spores (40–50 µm in diameter). The species is known to grow in highly unstable and undervalued habitats such as temporary ponds, which underscores the need for its conservation.

Glomus arenarium, a new species in Glomales (Zygomycetes)

A new ectocarpic arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal species, <em>Glomus arenarium</em> (<em>Glomales</em>, <em>Zygomycetes</em>), was recovered from maritime sand dunes of northern Poland. <em>Glomus arenarium</em> forms spores with a narrow and hyaline subtending hypha. Spores are orange to raw umber, globose to subglobose, (55-)97(-120) µm diam or ovoid, 65-105 x 95-140 µm. Their wall consists of three layers: a hyaline outermost layer present only in very young spores, a semiflexible, hyaline middle layer rarely present in mature spores, and a permanent, laminate, orange to raw umber innermost layer. No spore wall layers of <em>G. arenarium</em> reagent. This fungus formed spores and arbuscular mycorrhizae in single-species pot cultures with Plantago lanceolata.

Lipid and elemental composition as indicators of the physiological state of sporangiospores in Mucor hiemalis cultures of different ages

The number of sporangiospores used as inocula may significantly affect the development of the morphogenetic programs in mucoraceous fungi, including manifestations of dimorphism. In order to assess the physiological state of sporangiospores differing in their viability and germination patterns, lipid composition of sporangiospores from 6-, 14-, and 20-day cultures of Mucor hiemalis F-1431 was determined and the element ratios in these spores (Ca/K and P/S) were measured using X-ray microanalysis. While the lipid composition of the “old” (20 days) and “young” (6 days) spores was generally similar, older spores contained no cerebrosides, had half the level of polar lipids and γ-linolenic acid, and also contained 6 times more monoacylglycerols and 2.5 times more phosphatidic acid. The ratio of esterified to free sterols (ES/FS) characterizing the sterol storage pool was lowest in the spores from 20-day cultures. X-ray microanalysis revealed the highest P/S ratio in 6-day spores and lowest ratio in 14-day ones. Mature 14-day spores had the highest Ca/K ratio, ten times exceeding that for the 20-day spores. Higher values of P/S and Ca/K ratios in young (ripening) spores than in old 20-day spores indicate their higher metabolic activity and correlate with their higher viability and mycelial type of germination. Together with the lipid characteristics, the Ca/K and P/S ratios are the parameters which may be used to develop the criteria for assessment of the physiological state of the cells, including viable fungal sporangiospores. This complex may be also used to assess the capacity of mucoraceous fungi for dimorphism, including the species (M. hiemalis) for which this capacity has not been demonstrated previously.

Roles of the Aspergillus nidulans UDP-galactofuranose transporter, UgtA in hyphal morphogenesis, cell wall architecture, conidiation, and drug sensitivity

Galactofuranose (Gal f) is the 5-member-ring form of galactose found in the walls of fungi including Aspergillus, but not in mammals. UDP-galactofuranose mutase (UgmA, ANID_3112.1) generates UDP-Gal f from UDP-galactopyranose (6-member ring form). UgmA-GFP is cytoplasmic, so the UDP-Gal f residues it produces must be transported into an endomembrane compartment prior to incorporation into cell wall components. ANID_3113.1 (which we call UgtA) was identified as being likely to encode the A. nidulans UDP-Gal f transporter, based on its high amino acid sequence identity with A. fumigatus GlfB. The ugtAΔ phenotype resembled that of ugmAΔ, which had compact colonies, wide, highly branched hyphae, and reduced sporulation. Like ugmAΔ, the ugtAΔ hyphal walls were threefold thicker than wild type strains (but different in appearance in TEM), and accumulated exogenous material in liquid culture. Af glfB restored wild type growth in the ugtAΔ strain, showing that these genes have homologous function. Immunostaining with EBA2 showed that ugtAΔ hyphae and conidiophores lacked Gal f, which was restored in the Af glfB-complemented strain. Unlike wild type and ugmAΔ strains, some ugtAΔ metulae produced triplets of phialides, rather than pairs. Compared to wild type strains, spore production for ugtAΔ was reduced to 1%, and spore germination was reduced to half. UgtA-GFP had a punctate distribution in hyphae, phialides, and young spores. Notably, the ugtAΔ strain was significantly more sensitive than wild type to Caspofungin, which inhibits beta-glucan synthesis, suggesting that drugs that could be developed to target UgtA function would be useful in combination antifungal therapy.

Barley anther culture-The switch of programme and albinism

The switch of programme in barley anther culture is discussed with reference to the formation of green and albino plants. A theory of albinism is proposed based on the premise that at the critical microspore stage, plastids are in a state of metamorphosis preparatory to their role in the gametophyte generation. Pollen cells formed during the cold treatment which precedes culture of the anthers lack the usual gametophytic traits and have no divisional constraints, but they cannot develop green plastids because of deficiencies at the plastid level. Calluses derived from such cells give rise to albinos. Formation of green plants is equated with younger spores in which the two pollen cells are formed in culture rather than the pretreatment. Culture appears to have an important role in sporophytic expression apart from that in sustaining growth. Plastids in these younger spores are considered to be appropriate to greening, but may not be able to develop a photosynthetic apparatus because of deficiencies at the nuclear level. Formation of the pollen cells in culture, following the pretreatment, may be necessary for unmasking genes essential to greening. Ways of controlling the production of green plants at a level acceptable to breeders are suggested.

Larssoniella duplicati n.sp. (Microsporidia, Unikaryonidae), a newly described pathogen infecting the double-spined spruce bark beetle, Ips duplicatus (Coleoptera, Scolytidae) in the Czech Republic

Larssoniella duplicati n.sp. infects the midgut muscularis, the Malpighian tubules, and the ovaries of adult Ips duplicatus (Sahlb.) in the Czech Republic. The microsporidian attacks up to 50% of the population. Oval spores of two sizes, 3–3.5×1.5–2 and 2–2.5×1.5 μm have the polar filament coiled in 6/7 coils, representing primary and environmental spores, respectively. In early sporogony the young spores produce long electron dense threads and tubules of secretions, which remain fixed around the spore and avoid their free release during dissection of infected hosts. The microsporidian was not found in associated bark beetles such as Ips typographus (L.), or I. amitinus (Eichh.) and others.

Effect of exogenous lipids on morphogenesis of the fungus Mucor lusitanicus 12M

The composition of spores and conditions of their formation significantly influence the development of the resulting cultures of mycelial fungi. The viability of spores of the fungus Trichoderma harzianum has been reported to depend on the duration of their maturation [1]. The germination of Aspergillus niger conidia is influenced by the intensity of the culture sporulation: the stimulation of sporulation with blue illumination led to lower germinability of the spores obtained [2]. Previously, we found that the sporangiospores formed by older cultures of the fungus Mucor lusitanicus 12 M grown on wheat bran or sunflower oil cake tend to produce yeast-like growth. With further ageing of the culture, the sporangiospores completely lost their viability [3, 4]. Microscopic examination demonstrated that the sporangiospores of the young and old cultures grown on bran differed in their volume and structure of their surfaces [5]. The spores of M . lusitanicus lost their germinability obviously due to autolysis of the mycelium and liberation of abundant biologically active organic substances and enzymes after the end of mycelium growth and spore formation. In the period of spore maturation in senescent cultures of the fungus, the lipase activity results in the degradation of lipids, phospholipids in particular. The composition of lipids of the spores from a 25-day-old culture, including phospholipids, significantly differed from that of young spores [3]. In light of recent publications on the multiple-factor influence of lipids on morphogenesis and differentiation of both micro- and macroorganisms, it may be assumed that fungal dimorphism is caused by lipid compounds and/or by changes in the properties of membranes of sporangiospores occurring due to change in the composition of phospholipids. It was reported previously that the products of phospholipid metabolism—diacylglycerols, phosphatidic acid, and lysophosphatidic acid—are messengers of morphological transitions [6‐8]. Phosphatidic acid also participates, directly or indirectly, in the reorganization of the cytoskeleton during changes in cell morphology [9], and diacylglycerols may be sensors in the Golgi apparatus, which regulates the secretory function of membranes in the process of formation and transportation of vesicles during yeast budding [10]. It was shown that exogenously added phospholipase D causes dimorphism in the yeast Candida albicans [11]. Discontinuation of phospholipid synthesis caused by the addition of cerulenin caused dimorphism in Mucor racemosus [12]. Along with the products of the activity of phospholipases, other lipid compounds influence fungal morphogenesis. A paper has been published on the effect of prostaglandins, products of fatty acid metabolism, on the morphological development of microscopic fungi [13]. It has been noted that sterols play an important role in the dimorphism of pathogenic fungi [14].

MreB of Streptomyces coelicolor is not essential for vegetative growth but is required for the integrity of aerial hyphae and spores

MreB forms a cytoskeleton in many rod-shaped bacteria which is involved in cell shape determination and chromosome segregation. PCR-based and Southern analysis of various actinomycetes, supported by analysis of genome sequences, revealed mreB homologues only in genera that form an aerial mycelium and sporulate. We analysed MreB in one such organism, Streptomyces coelicolor. Ectopic overexpression of mreB impaired growth, and caused swellings and lysis of hyphae. A null mutant with apparently normal vegetative growth was generated. However, aerial hyphae of this mutant were swelling and lysing; spores doubled their volume and lost their characteristic resistance to stress conditions. Loss of cell wall consistency was observed in MreB-depleted spores by transmission electron microscopy. An MreB-EGFP fusion was constructed to localize MreB in the mycelium. No clearly localized signal was seen in vegetative mycelium. However, strong fluorescence was observed at the septa of sporulating aerial hyphae, then as bipolar foci in young spores, and finally in a ring- or shell-like pattern inside the spores. Immunogold electron microscopy using MreB-specific antibodies revealed that MreB is located immediately underneath the internal spore wall. Thus, MreB is not essential for vegetative growth of S. coelicolor, but exerts its function in the formation of environmentally stable spores, and appears to primarily influence the assembly of the spore cell wall.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal formation of crucifer leaf mustard induced by flavonoids apigenin and daidzein

Flavonoids from legume root secretion may probably act as signal molecules for expression of Rhizobial “nod” nodulation genes and AM fungal symbiotic gene. Leaf mustard is a non-mycorrhizal plant; it does not contain flavonoids and other signal molecules. AM fungi could not infect the roots of leaf mustard and form a symbiont in nature, when it was treated with flavonoids (apigenin or daidzein). The results of trypan blue staining showed that two kinds of AM fungi (G intraradices and G. mosseae) successfully infected the roots of non-mycorrhizal plant leaf mustard. AM fungi grew towards and colonized the roots of leaf mustard, producing young spores and completing the course of life. AM fungi are the only one kind of fungi with ALP activity. The result of ALP staining has also proved that AM fungi infected successfully the roots of leaf mustard. AM fungi (G intraradices and G. mosseae) that existed in the roots of non-mycorrhizal plant leaf mustard were probed by nested PCR and special molecular probes. The above-mentioned proof chains have fully proved that flavonoids induced AM fungi (G intraradices and G. mosseae) to infect non-mycorrhizal plant and establish symbiotic relationship.

Qualitative and quantitative studies of the swimming behaviour of Hincksia irregularis (Phaeophyceae) spores: ecological implications and parameters for quantitative swimming assays

The capacity for motility is important for many micro-organisms, and also for macroalgal spores, because it can allow them to explore a physically and chemically heterogeneous environment and react to the perceived information by movement towards favourable conditions or away from hazardous conditions. The swimming behaviour of spores of the brown alga Hincksia irregularis was analysed using computer-assisted motion analysis. We distinguished five main swimming patterns: straight paths, search circles, orientation, gyration and wobbling. Different functions can be suggested for different swimming patterns in the context of spore settlement. Straight paths may be important in small-scale movements in the benthic boundary layer to locate suitable microenvironments. Gradients in chemical or physical parameters may be detected during search circles, and orientation should facilitate the detection of the structure of surfaces. Gyration occurs during the initial reversible phase of spore adhesion, which can ultimately lead to settlement. Wobbling patterns do not appear to be associated with settlement and may typify irritated or mechanically damaged spores. The dominant swimming pattern changed with spore age (in the period from 10 ± 5 to 60 ± 5 min of spore age), with younger spores swimming primarily in straight lines and search circles, whereas older spores swam in orientation and gyration patterns. These changes in swimming patterns can be quantified using speed (SPD), which decreases over time, and the rate of change of direction (RCD), which increases over time. We suggest that computer-assisted motion analysis is an efficient way to bioassay the influence of environmental factors on spore movements. Reaction to environmental factors can be quantified as changes in SPD and RCD of spore swimming.

QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE STUDIES OF THE SWIMMING BEHAVIOR OF HINCKSIA IRREGULARIS SPORES (PHAEOPHYCEAE)

The swimming behavior of spores of the brown alga Hincksia irregularis was analyzed using computer‐assisted motion analysis. We distinguished five main swimming patterns: straight paths, search circles, orientation, gyration, and wobbling. We suggest different functional values for the individual swimming patterns. Straight paths, search circles, and orientation are different but all may be important in small‐scale movements in the benthic boundary layer. As such, they could enable a spore to find a suitable microenvironment for germination and growth. Gyration occurs during the initial reversible phase of adhesion that can lead to settlement. Wobbling is typical for irritated or mechanically damaged spores and does not seem to be a typical pattern associated to settlement. The dominant swimming patterns changed with spore age (10 ± 5 to 60 ± 5 min of spore age), with young spores mainly swimming in straight paths and search circles and older spores in orientation and gyration. This change in swimming patterns can be quantified by speed (decrease over time) and rate of change of direction (increase over time). Based on these results, we suggest that computer‐assisted motion analysis of the swimming behavior of H. irregularis spores can be used to develop bioassays with both ecological and technological relevance.

Glucose-Induced Pathways for Actin Tyrosine Dephosphorylation during Dictyostelium Spore Germination

In the presence of germination signals, dormant spores of Dictyostelium discoideum rapidly germinate to start a new life cycle. Previously we have shown that half of the actin molecules in spores are maintained in a tyrosine-phosphorylated state, and a decline of the actin phosphorylation levels is a prerequisite for spore swelling. In this study, we have established d-glucose as a trigger molecule for the actin dephosphorylation. Present in a nutrient germination medium, d-glucose both may act as a trigger molecule and/or may serve as a substrate within a pathway for actin dephosphorylation depending upon spore age. However, the glucose-induced actin dephosphorylation was insufficient for spores to swell. Other factors in the nutrient medium were required for complete germination of young spores aged 1 to 5 days. In contrast, dispersion in nonnutrient buffer was necessary and sufficient for a decline of actin phosphorylation levels and even the emergence of amoebae in older spores (6 days and beyond). Moreover, the dephosphorylation pathway in the older spores was independent of energy production. We propose that the diversification of the actin dephosphorylation pathway may enable spores to increase their probability of germination upon spore aging.

First Report of Entyloma Polysporum on Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) in Southern California.

During a period of wet weather from December 1996 to March 1997, commercial plantings of sunflower in San Diego County, CA, were infected by a leaf smut, Entyloma polysporum (Peck) Farl. The fungus was observed on sunflowers grown in a greenhouse in San Diego County and also on sunflowers from nurseries in Ventura and Riverside counties. Although the disease was first noticed in 1996, the infection was not of economic significance so no attempt was made to identify the causal agent. However, with continuous cropping of sunflowers year round significant losses were observed on seedlings that were systemically infected as they emerged. This is the first report of E. polysporum causing economic losses on sunflowers. The distinguishing characteristics of this fungus are masses of globose to subglobose spores, pale green to yellow green in color, approximately 12 μm in diameter, with a double wall consisting of an inner pale green wall and outer hyaline sheath. The spores occur in dense masses called sori that completely replace the leaf cells. Young spores are difficult to distinguish from leaf cells in a cursory examination. Older sori form discolored lesions in the leaf ranging from circular to irregular in shape and replace most of the chlorenchyma tissue in the infected lesions. Identification of species of smut fungi such as Entyloma is based on the location of the sori in the vegetative parts of the host, the identification of the host, and the spore morphology (4). Savile (3) reviewed the genus on North American composites and, based on morphological characteristics, concluded that almost all the pathogens were either E. compositarum or E. polysporum, with a few intermediate forms. E. polysporum is characterized by globose spores 10 to 17 μm in diameter, surrounded by cell walls 1 μm thick encased in a 1.5- to 2.5-μm thick smooth hyaline sheath (1). Spores of E. compositarum are smaller, 9 to 12 μm in diameter, thin walled (1 to 1.5 μm), smooth, and without a sheath (2). Vánky (4) lists 33 different species on composites according to their host. He believes E. polysporum only occurs on Ambrosia spp., and does not include E. compositarum in his list of Entyloma spp. Neither author mentions Entyloma infecting any species of Helianthus. Savile concluded that E. calendulae (Oudem.) de Bary, described in Europe, is very similar morphologically to E. polysporum, and is probably the same species. E. polysporum was first described in 1881 by Peck as Protomyces polysporus infecting Ambrosia trifida in New York State. In 1996, it was described on Ambrosia artemesifolia in Hungary (3). In the United States it has been reported on sunflowers in Montana (1,2).

A glgC gene essential only for the first of two spatially distinct phases of glycogen synthesis in Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2).

By using a PCR approach based on conserved regions of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylases, a glgC gene was cloned from Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2). The deduced glgC gene product showed end-to-end relatedness to other bacterial ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylases. The glgC gene is about 1,000 kb from the leftmost chromosome end and is not closely linked to either of the two glgB genes of S. coelicolor, which encode glycogen branching enzymes active in different locations in differentiated colonies. Disruption of glgC eliminated only the first of two temporal peaks of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase activity and glycogen accumulation and prevented cytologically observable glycogen accumulation in the substrate mycelium of colonies (phase I), while glycogen deposition in young spore chains (phase II) remained readily detectable. The cloned glgC gene therefore encodes an ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase essential only for phase I (and it is therefore named glgCI). A second, phase II-specific, glgC gene should also exist in S. coelicolor, though it was not detected by hybridization analysis.

Glomus multiforum and G. verruculosum, two new species from Poland

Two new vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal species, Glomus multiforum and G. verruculosum (Glomales, Zygomycetes) coming from northwestern Poland are described and illustrated. Glomus multiforum produces spores singly in the soil. The deep yellow to brown spores are globose to subglobose, (170-)215(-230) μm diam or ovoid, 150–220 × 180–310 μm and have a single wall consisting of three layers. Outermost layer 1 is mucilaginous, hyaline, and stains reddish in Melzer's reagent. Layer 2 of young spores is hyaline and ornamented with ingrowths filling the pits of layer 3; it sloughs with spore age. Layer 3 is laminated, colored and ornamented with evenly distributed pits. Glomus verruculosum forms spores singly in the soil. Spores are yellow to orange, (150-)189(-265) μm diam. Their single wall consists of two layers: a hyaline, semiflexible outer layer and a yellow to orange, laminated inner layer ornamented with warts projecting inward from the innermost lamina. None of these layers stain in Melzer's reagent. Both G. multiforum and G. verruculosum formed spores and vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae in single-species pot cultures with Plantago lanceolata and Sorghum sudanense.

Glomus multiforum and G. verruculosum, Two New Species from Poland

Two new vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal species, Glomus multiforum and G. verruculosum (Glomales, Zygomycetes) coming from northwestern Poland are described and illustrated. Glomus multiforum produces spores singly in the soil. The deep yellow to brown spores are globose to subglobose, (170-)215(-230) μm diam or ovoid, 150–220 × 180–310 μm and have a single wall consisting of three layers. Outermost layer 1 is mucilaginous, hyaline, and stains reddish in Melzer's reagent. Layer 2 of young spores is hyaline and ornamented with ingrowths filling the pits of layer 3; it sloughs with spore age. Layer 3 is laminated, colored and ornamented with evenly distributed pits. Glomus verruculosum forms spores singly in the soil. Spores are yellow to orange, (150-)189(-265) μm diam. Their single wall consists of two layers: a hyaline, semiflexible outer layer and a yellow to orange, laminated inner layer ornamented with warts projecting inward from the innermost lamina. None of these layers stain in Melzer's reagent. Both G. multiforum and G. verruculosum formed spores and vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae in single-species pot cultures with Plantago lanceolata and Sorghum sudanense.

A light and electron microscopic study of Larssoniella resinellae n. gen., n. sp. (Microspora, Unikaryonidae), a Parasite of Petrova resinella (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae) in Central Europe

Summary Larssoniella n. gen. (Microspora, Unikaryonidae) is characterized by uninucleate stages with a tuft of tubules arising in the cuticle of sporoblasts and in the posterior pole of the young spore in its exospore. L. resinellae n. sp., the type species, has sporoblasts and spores with distinct tubular tufts. Mature spores are smooth, tubular (4.5-5×1.7-2 gym), uninucleate, with polar filament in 10/11 coils. It infects the silk glands, Malpighian tubules, the fat body and gonads of larvae and adults of the Pine resin gall moth, Petrova resinella.