The hyphomycete Sorosporetta — Syngliocladium from mole cricket, Scapteriscus vicinus

Abstract

The hyphomycete Sorosporella sp. was isolated from the mole cricket, Scapteriscus vicinus collected in Alachua Co., Florida. Scanning (SEM) and/or transmission (TEM) electron microscopy were used to study the chlamydospores characteristic of this genus and the conidial production in the alternate state, Syngliocladium. Brick-red chlamydospores, which occur in clusters in insect cadavers, have a fibrous cell wall as revealed by TEM. Pores often occur between walls of adjacent cells. Lipids, including a large central lipid droplet and smaller droplets along the periphery of the cell, are abundant in the cytoplasm. Most organelles were difficult to distinguish due to the density of the cytoplasmic material. Chlamydospores germinate on water or media. On Sabouraud maltose agar, germinating chlamydospores produce a white mycelial mat; synnematous-type growth was sometimes observed. Mycelia may bear conidiophores and ellipsoid conidia.