ISSN:
1572-9699
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract The ustilaginaceous fungi, traditionally synonymous with the smuts, now include recent taxa derived from the yeasts. Although generally placed next to the rusts, these fungi only superficially resemble the Uredinales-the resistant cell, here termed a ustospore, is not a teliospore and its one or more germ hyphae bear somatic sporidia, not meiotically derived basidiospores. Examination of the ultrastructure of a number of species shows the septa to be basidiomycetously layered but with pores lacking a dolipore/parenthesome complex. Further, inLeucosporidium andRhodosporidium, in which the clamps also have simple pores, the electron microscopic observations admit the interpretation that the ustospore is an encysted proascus. Because the characteristics of these fungi do not allow them to be satisfactorily included among either the Ascomycota or the Basidiomycota, it is proposed to accommodate them in a new taxon of equal rank, the Division Ustomycota.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02328123
Permalink