Apothecial development and sexuality in Ascobolus sacchariferus
Sexuality and apothecial ontogeny in the operculate Discomycete Ascobolus sacchariferus (Ascomycetes, Pezizales) were investigated. Ascobolus sacchariferus is heterothallic and produces oidia that can function as vegetative propagules or as gametes. When oidia are contrasted with mycelia in either a compatible or incompatible cross, they fail to germinate. In a compatible cross the oidia are changed physiologically into functional antheridia and attract hyphae of the opposite mating type, which then delimit ascogonia. The ascogonia are blunt-ended, without a differentiated trichogyne, and coil around the oidia. Some strains were found to be stronger males, others stronger females. After plasmogamy, apothecial development is cleistohymenial. Opening of most apothecia occurs in the midmesohymenial phase. After opening, ripe asci protrude from the hymenial surface. Attempts to hybridize A. sacchariferus and A. sterocorarius yielded negative results. The two species, however, inhibit the germination of each other's oidia.