Apothecium morphogenesis in Peziza quelepidotia: scanning electron and light microscopy

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Abstract
This study on Peziza quelepidotia Korf & O'Donnell, a homothallic operculate Discomycete (Pezizales, Pezizaceae), presents the first detailed correlative light microscopic and scanning ultrastructural observations of any species in this genus. This investigation was possible because P. quelepidotia. unlike other Peziza spp., produces fertile ascomata in pure culture. A complete structural and functional image of apothecium morphogenesis was obtained by combining scanning electron micrographs of the initial stages with light micrographs of whole mounts and thick sections of apothecia embedded in plastic at all stages of development. The temporal–spatial relationship between the ascogonia and the Botrytis-like imperfect state suggests that the ascogonial coils may be under chemotrophic control of the conidiophores. Although functional ascogonia are present, sexuality is apparently parthenogenetic since antheridia were never observed. A unique feature of paragymnohymenial apothecium development in this species is the elevation of the ascogonial coil as the stipe develops. Scanning electron microscopic observations on longitudinally cryofractured ascocarps are presented.

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