Neurospora
Neurospora is a genus of fungi in the Department of ascomycetes ( Ascomycota ).
Description
Species of the genus Neurospora are both morphologically very variable in their reproduction. There are both homothallic ( self-fertile, with two mating types in a thallus ), heterothallic ( self-sterile, both mating types in different thalli ) or pseudohomothalische ( self-fertile, with two mating types in a spore ) species.
The homothallic species such as Neurospora africana, Neurospora dodgei or Neurospora lineolata, do not form conidia but form perithecia. These originate from a stem and arise from a nucleus.
The heterothallic metallic species such as Neurospora crassa, Neurospora intermedia or the red bread mold ( Neurospora sitophila ) that produce conidia and no perithecia, unless they be crossed.
The pseudohomothalischen species such as Neurospora tetrasperma, form conidia and perithecia from a single heterokaryotic strain.
The morphology is highly variable within the genus and even within species. For example, there is a strain of Neurospora crassa, which forms no mycelium, but a slime yeast-like cells. But following characteristics apply to most individuals.
The mycelium is growing rapidly and woolly fluffy. The conidia are ellipsoid, smooth and orange. They are 10 to 12 microns long and 8-10 microns wide. They sit in chains of branched -makers. Through the many conidia frequently throughout the mycelium appears orange. The perithecia are black brown.
Dissemination
Neurospora is a fungal genus with a cosmopolitan distribution. In Central Europe, especially the red bread mold ( Neurospora sitophila ) is widespread, it is commonly found on bread and bakeries. Neurospora crassa is an important model organism in microbiology.
In nature, all species live on damp and decaying plant parts.
System
The genus Neospora currently includes twelve species. However, the genus does not appear to be monophyletic. Rather, it is paraphyletic with the closely related genus Gelasinospora. The Neurospora species are:
- Neurospora africana
- Neurospora crassa
- Neurospora discreta
- Neurospora dodgei
- Neurospora galapagosensis
- Neurospora intermedia
- Neurospora lineolata
- Neurospora pannonica
- Red bread mold ( Neurospora sitophila )
- Neurospora sublineolata
- Neurospora terricola
- Neurospora tetrasperma
A molecular genetic analysis revealed 2001 following phylogenetic tree for the relationships within Neurospora and Gelasinospora:
Gelasinospora calospora
Neurospora sublineolata
Gelasinospora tetrasperma
Gelasinospora cerealis
Neurospora africana
Neurospora galapagosensis
Neurospora dodgei
Neurospora lineolata
Neurospora discreta
Neurospora crassa
Neurospora intermedia
Neurospora sitophila
Neurospora tetrasperma
Gelasinospora sp.
Neurospora terricola
Neurospora pannonica