Abstract
Autofluorescence is reported for the first time in Myxomycete fruiting bodies. Ultrastructure of stalked sporangia of Diachea leucopodia (Didymiaceae, Physarales) was studied using scanning and transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis, and fluorescence microscopy. External and internal properties of the peridium that surround the spores and capillitium exhibit autofluorescence. The stalk is composed of calcareous granules and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis demonstrates that the elemental composition of the peridium, capillitium, and stalk has varying concentrations of calcium.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aldrich H (1982) Influence of inorganic ions on color of lime in the Myxomycetes. Mycologia 74:404–411. doi:10.2307/3792962
Dolinko A, Skigin D, Inchaussandague M, Carmarán CC (2012) Photonic simulation method applied to the study of structural color in Myxomycetes. Opt Express 20:15139–15148
Gaither TH, Keller HW (2004) Taxonomic comparison of Diachea subsessilis and D. deviata (Myxomycetes, Didymiaceae) using scanning electron microscopy. Syst Geog Plants 74:217–230
Holmgren PK, Holmgren NH, Barnett LC (1990) Index herbariorum. Part I: the herbaria of the world, 8th edn. Botanical Garden, New York, p 693
Inchaussandague M, Skigin D, Carmarán C, Rosenfeldt S (2010) Structural color in Myxomycetes. Opt Express 18:16055–16063. doi:10.1364/OE.18.016055
Janik P, Tylko G, Ostachowicz B, Turnau K (2010) Elemental composition of Physarum compressum Alb. et Schw. sporocarps and their structures cultivated on rabbit dung and agar substrates. Microsc Res Tech 73:1134–1142. doi:10.1002/jemt.20860
Keller HW, Skrabal M, Eliasson UH, Gaither TH (2004) Tree canopy biodiversity in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park: ecological and developmental observations of a new myxomycete species of Diachea. Mycologia 96:537–547. doi:10.2307/3762173
Lado C, Ronikier A (2008) Nivicolous Myxomycetes from the Pyrenees: notes on taxonomy and species diversity. Part 1. Physarales and Trichiales. Nova Hedwigia 87:337–360
Nelson RK (1982) Elemental composition of Clastoderma debaryanum stalks. Mycologia 74:1016–1020. doi:10.2307/3792730
O’Brien TP, McCully ME (1981) The study of plant structure. Principles and selected methods. Termarcarphi Pty. Ltd., Melbourne, p 357
Rammeloo J (1975) Structure of the epispore in the Stemonitales (Myxomycetes) as seen with the scanning electron microscope. Bull Jardin Bot Nat Belg 45:301–306
Schoknecht JD, Keller HW (1977) Peridial composition of white fructifications in the Trichiales (Perichaena and Dianema). Can J Bot 55:1807–1819. doi:10.1139/b77-207
Shawkey MD, D’Albaa L, Wozny J, Eliason C, Koop JAH, Jia L (2010) Structural color change following hydration and dehydration of iridescent mourning dove (Zenaida macroura) feathers. Zoology 114:59–68
Steglich W (1989) Slime molds (Myxomycetes) as a source of new biologically active metabolites. Pure Appl Chem 61:281–288
Acknowledgments
This study was financially supported by the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET-PIP1482, PIP 112-200801-01880), Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y tecnológica ANPCYT-BID Grant No. 1728/OC-AR06-01785 and PICT 2001/01346), and UBA (Grant X208). Publication number 198 PHRIDEB-CONICET.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Carmarán, C.C., Rosenfeldt, S., Skigin, D. et al. Autofluorescence and Ultrastructure in the Myxomycete Diachea leucopodia (Physarales). Curr Microbiol 67, 674–678 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-013-0418-2
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-013-0418-2