Fine structure of basidiospores of the cedar-apple rust fungus Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae

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Abstract
Each basidiospore of Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae contains many ribosomes as well as lipid droplets, mitochondria, small vesicles, endoplasmic reticula, and structures thought to be microbodies. Mature spores are either uninucleate or binucleate although larger, tetranucleate spores were occasionally observed. The spore wall appears as a thin layer except around the hilar region where two layers are evident. Germination is almost always lateral although no germ pore region was noted in the wall. Vacuolation takes place during germination and lipid bodies disappear. The wall of the germ tube arising from the spore is continuous with that of the spore. A large number of vesicles is present in the germ tube. Basidiospores may also germinate by repetition.