Spore Germination in Axenic Cultures of Smittium Spp. (Trichomycetes)

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Abstract
SUMMARY Harvested asexual spores (trichospores) of Smittium culisetae, S. culicis, S. simulii, and S. mucronatum were used in this study. Only spores of the first three species were able to germinate in vitro, with S. culisetae demonstrating the highest percentage of germination. Germination may be accomplished either by a rapid extension of the inner spore wall in a process that (under the light microscope) resembles germ tube formation, or by rupturing the outer trichospore wall and the total emergence of the inner spore wall and protoplast. Spores germinated better in nonshaken tryptone-glucose-vitamin (TGv) medium than in shaken medium. Smittium culisetae spores appear to have an inhibitor that reduces the percentage of germination under crowded conditions. Germination in S. culisetae occurred over a relatively wide range of temperatures and pH values, with maxima near 24–30 C and pH 6.0-7.8. Spores of S. culisetae survived storage in liquid nitrogen, but lost their viability at—15 C and when lyophilized.