Spore Discharge in Deightoniella torulosa (Syd.) Ellis

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Abstract
Violent spore discharge in the Hyphomycete Deightoniella torulosa is described. On drying, a negative pressure develops in the solution inside the swollen head of the conidiophore. This causes the thin wall at the top of the conidiophore to cave inwards and to be brought into a state of tension. The sudden appearance of a gas phase in the conidiophore head releases this tension, and the wall rapidly returns to its original rounded shape. The conidium, which is attached to the top of the conidiophore, is thus catapulted away. This appears to be the first record of a gas phase being associated with violent spore discharge in a fungus.

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