Date of Award

Fall 12-1-1977

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Life Sciences

First Advisor

J. D. Schoknecht

Second Advisor

R. F. Bozarth

Third Advisor

W. B. Hopp

Abstract

The pleomorphism of Coprinus radians was studied. The three distinct growth forms--sporophore, oidial stage, and ozonium stage--were examined in relation to ultrastructure, morphology and development. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy are correlated with photomicrographs of developmental stages. Development of the oidia and of the sporophore are of particular interest. The multinucleate oidia develop quite differently from oidia as generally described for Basidiomycete imperfect stages. Development of the oidia of this Coprinus is holoblastic and sympodial. The mushroom primordia are differentiated internally into gill, cap, and stipe hyphae while only l-2mm in diameter. At this stage they look superficially like sclerotial bodies. Development of these three distinct stages is reproducible in culture and can be regulated under defined cultural conditions. The wood-decomposing and cellulolytic properties were measured by various techniques. These properties were measured against several other cellulolyte fungi to help determine C. radians' relative rate of activity. These studies, combined with the cultural studies, helped establish C. radians' ecological niche as a early wood decomposer of moderate cellulolytic activity, living off the wood cellulose and the other available carbohydrate8 in freshly dead wood.

Download

Share

COinS