Ultrastructure of the melanized ascospores of <i>Corollospora fusca</i>

Abstract

Corollospora fusca is a marine ascomycete that based on light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy was previously described as possessing appendaged ascospores with fine longitudinal melanized striations and a ridged surface. Transmission and low voltage scanning electron microscope studies presented here do not support the existence of a ridged surface on the ascospore. Histochemical tests based on the reduction of silver nitrate were used at the electron microscope level to locate melanin in the longitudinal electron-dense deposits in the spore wall. Keywords: ascospores, Corollospora spp., marine fungi, melanin, ultrastructure, wall structure.