Morphological variation in the genus Neurospora: ascospore and DNA studies

Journal Article · Thu Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1976 · Trans. Am. Microsc. Soc.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3225138· OSTI ID:5567670

Dutta, S K; Sheikh, I; Choppala, J

The genus Neurospora shows remarkable morphological variations based on mating type compatibility and cellular variations caused by mutations. Scanning electron microscopical and cytological studies of ascospore development were carried out on three homothallic (8-ascospore ascus) species, N. africana, N. dodgei, and N. lineolata, and one pseudohomothallic (4-ascospore ascus) species, N. tetrasperma. Although N. tetrasperma ascospores were the largest in size quantitatively, the highest yield of pure ascospores was obtained from N. africana culture, and the shape of ascospores of all species studied were elliptical, though those of N. tetrasperma were more elongated. N. africana ascospores matured within 15 to 20 days, whereas ascospores of other species matured after 21 days when grown on agar medium. Pictures were taken by SEM to study patterns of wall sculpturing of ascospores of different species. DNAs isolated from all of these species showed biomodal thermal denaturation curves typical for DNAs of heterothallic species N. crassa; however, minor fractions of ascospore DNA were significantly smaller, quantitatively, in comparison with those of mycelial and conidial DNAs.

• Research Organization: Howard Univ., Washington, DC
• OSTI ID: 5567670
• Journal Information: Trans. Am. Microsc. Soc.; (United States), Journal Name: Trans. Am. Microsc. Soc.; (United States) Vol. 95:3; ISSN TAMSA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550700* -- Microbiology
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
BIOLOGY
DNA
FUNGI
MORPHOLOGY
NEUROSPORA
NUCLEIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PLANTS
SPORES
TAXONOMY
VARIATIONS