Morphology and zoospore ultrastructure of Entophlyctis luteolus sp. nov. (Chytridiales): Implications for chytrid taxonomy

Abstract

Entophlyctis luteolus, a new species of saprophytic Chytridiales from aquatic habitats, develops endogenously or exogenously on nutrient agar and usually has two rhizoidal axes, which are slightly swollen at the base. Zoospores emerge en masse from the sporangium after deliquescence of the tip of the discharge tube and are surrounded by gelatinous material. Resistant sporangia form on onion skin. This is the first report of a species with monocentric, exogenous development that has a Chytridium subtype of zoospore. Other monocentric, exogenously developing species that have been studied have a Nowakowskiella subtype of zoospore. Exogenous, monocentric development cannot be considered a homologous character state in all species of the Chytridiales.

Key Words:

• Chytridiales
• Entophlyctis
• ultrastructure
• zoospore