Growth of Hyphal Branching Systems in Coprinus disseminatus

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Apical portions of hyphal branching systems of Coprinus disseminatus were observed at the margins of colonies extending at a constant rate under one set of environmental conditions. Growth was consistently monopodial, the main hyphae continuing to extend in the colony margin at a constant rate. Primary branch initiation occurred at regular intervals, closely associated with cell division of the parent hypha, and initiation of secondary branches took place in the older parts of the system. Extension rates of main, primary branch, and secondary branch hyphae were distinct, being in the proportions 100: 66: 18. In the majority of systems successive branches of the same category closely resembled one another and changes in extension rate of primary branches were small from soon after initiation up to a length of 750μ. In a minority of systems branch behaviour was less regular, some branches increasing in extension rate whilst others decreased. Changes in older parts of the systems were not followed. young primary branch hyphae were consistently narrower than main hyphae. Although extension rate was correlated with hyphal diameter for main and for branch hyphae separately, the extension rate of equally wide hyphae was significantly higher for main as compared with branch hyphae. Furthermore the wider, faster-extending branch hyphse temded tp arise from the wider, faster-extending main hyphae. The significance of these findings is discussed.

This publication has 2 references indexed in Scilit: