Fine structure of teliospores of the cedar-apple rust Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae
Teliospores of the cedar-apple rust Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae were examined using transmission electron microscopy. Each ellipsoid spore is divided into two cells by a transverse septum. A second septum separates the basal cell of the teliospore from a long, hyaline, cylindrical pedicel. The fine structure of these septa is considered. The cytoplasm of the teliospore is very dense and contains a complement of cellular structures including ribosomes, vacuoles, mitochondria, and a large number of structures thought to be lipid bodies. Each cell of the teliospore contains a single nucleus, in which the chromatin is often considerably condensed. Two germ pore regions are present in each cell. The spore wall is thinnest in these regions and is different in structure than elsewhere around the spore.