Fluorescence Microscopic Examination of Basidiosporogenesis in Boletus Rubinellus and Coprinus Cinereus

SUMMARY

Sterigma and basidiospore development in Coprinus cinereus and Boletus rubinellus have been examined using an optical brightener and fluorescence microscopy. Development of the ellipsoid basidiospores of C. cinereus was associated with a characteristic series of fluorescence patterns: general, asymmetric, apical and finally subapical fluorescence. In the elongate spores of B. rubinellus, after the initial asymmetric growth phase, fluorescence was consistently apical until the spore matured. Stage-specific fluorescence patterns were correlated with the changes in spore shape. Their significance is discussed.