Myxomycete reproductive systems: Stemonitis species

Abstract

An isolate of Stemonitis fusca (Utl) from Zion National Park completed its life cycle from spore to spore on agar and was found to have a heterothallic mating system. Two mating types were detected and in the majority of crosses involving these mating types they segregated with highly skewed ratios with one of the mating types missing or greatly reduced in frequency. An Indian isolate (Ind 1) of S. herbatica was also examined and was found to have a nonheterothallic reproductive system.

Key Words:

• heterothallism
• Stemonitis fusca
• Stemonitis herbatica