Sporocarp Ultrastructure and Development in the Protostelid Schizoplasmodium cavostelioides

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Abstract
Sporocarp formation in Schizoplasmodium cavostelioides begins with the segmentation of each multinucleate trophic amoeba into a number of multinucleate prespore cells. The prespore cells initiate secretion of a protective sheath and gradually the protoplast molds itself into a shape of approximating the final sporocarp, consisting of an apical, globose spore zone and a basal stalk ozone. Stalk and spore wall formation occur simultaneously, both structures apparently deposited by an intraprotoplasmic network of membrane-bound cisternae. The mature sporocarp consists of a multinucleate smooth-walled spore atop a stout, fibrillar stalk. The mature sporocarp is enclosed within a membranous sheath. The pattern of sporocarp development in S. cavostelioides is compared to developmental systems of other protostelids.