Ultrastructure and influences of temperature on the in vitro production of Coprinus psychromorbidus sclerotia

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Abstract
The effects of temperature on the production of sclerotia by the snow mold basidiomycete, Coprinus psychromorbidus, are described for the first time. Numbers of sclerotia produced and the optimum temperature for sclerotium production were variable for isolates observed. In general, the influence of temperature on sclerotium production was independent of its influence on colony growth. Optimal temperatures for production of sclerotia were higher than those for radial growth of colonies. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a centripetal pattern of differentiation in developing sclerotia. Distinctive rind, cortex, and medulla were evident after 8 to 10 weeks. Rind and cortex were multilayered. Thick-walled cells were cemented together by an amorphous intercellular matrix. Melanin was located in the rind cell walls for the first time by scanning electron microscopy and backscattered electron imaging of silver-stained sections. With the transmission electron microscope, melanin granules were observed only in the intercellular matrix and outer layers of rind cell walls. Inflated medullary cells were predominantly thin walled and contained vacuolate cytoplasm.