Chlamydospore
A chlamydospore (from Greek χλαμύς chlamys, " cloak ") is an asexual fungal spore formed by mitosis, which is the persistence of the organism, less its spread. It is characterized by particularly thick cell walls and a regular, usually spherical in shape. Chlamydospores can also supply with nutrients without long periods survive without losing their ability to germinate. Since they are asexually formed, they are often subsumed under the term of the conidia. A similar function as chlamydospores fulfill gems, but that have no regular shape. Since the terms are often used interchangeably, they can be in the literature are often not clearly distinguished from each other.
Structure and Formation
Chlamydospores in the strict sense are formed by a conversion of hyphal cells. It is first compressed in places the cytoplasm and surrounds himself with a regular cell wall, which is usually thick and pigmented. The cell wall of Hyphenzelle remains intact and forms the additional eponymous coat of the spore. The chlamydospore is not separated from the mycelium, but remains connected to the adjacent hyphal cells. Only when the surrounding cells dry out, die or be resolved, the chlamydospore is released. If conditions permit growth again, the chlamydospore germinating into a new mycelium.
Conceptual delimitation
The term refers both to the chlamydospore, the function of persistence as well as the shape of the spore. Unlike Konien they do not serve primarily the distribution. Unlike gems chlamydospores are formed regularly and have a more or less uniform, spherical shape. Some mycologists chlamydospores are often subsumed under conidia or equated with gems, making an exact definition. Occasionally aleuriospores who have a different release mechanism and mostly intended for the distribution, referred to as chlamydospores are.
Classification
Depending on their origin chlamydospores are divided into three different categories:
- Terminal chlamydospores are formed in the final segment of a Hyphenfadens.
- Interkaläre chlamydospores are formed in intermediate segments of a Hyphenfadens. They often can not be clearly distinguished from gems.
- Sessile ( stalked ) chlamydospores are formed in the stem-like outgrowths of a Hyphenfadens.