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Abstract
The presence of zygospores in the genus Orphella is newly described. We found zygospores in three species of the genus, O. catalaunica, O. coronata and O. helicospora, which are all the species of the genus known from the Iberian territory. Zygospores are associated with a heterothallic conjugating sexual process in O. coronata, whereas in O. catalaunica and O. helicospora, they form homothallically. In all instances, zygospores are consistently associated with an organized pattern of sterile cells, forming structures comparable to those present with asexual trichospores. We compare the ontogeny of Orphella zygospores with that found in the harpellid Genistellospora homothallica and discuss the possible close relationship of Orphella with Kickxellales (Zygomycetes). We report O. coronata in Spain for the first time, replacing all previous records of O. haysii. Results are supported with line drawings and photographs.
The authors express their gratitude to Robert Lichtwardt and Merlin White, for their helpful comments and suggestions for the manuscript. We also thank Doug Strongman, for his interest and comments on Orphella zygospores and the kind information exchanged; Yuko Kurihara and Yousuke Degawa (KPM herbarium) for providing dried and fresh specimens of Kickxellid specimens, the curatorial staff of FH (Farlow Herbarium, Harvard University, Cambridge, USA) for the loan of Orphella specimens; and the staff of the Botanic Dept. at the University of the Bask Country (UPV-EHU, Leioa), the Royal Botanic Garden (“Real Jardín Botánico”, Madrid) and the University of Murcia (Andrés Millán and friendships) for their kind support and shelter in the stay of one of us (L. G. Valle) in their laboratories. This research was financed by MCYT and FEDER (REN2002-04068-C02-02; “Flora Micológica Ibérica V”).
