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Ultrastructure of the plasmodial slime moldPerichaena vermicularis

II. Formation of the peridium

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Summary

The development of the peridium ofPerichaena vermicularis has been examined using light and electron microscopy and acid phosphatase localization. A newly formed fruiting body consists of undifferentiated protoplasm which is enveloped by a slime coat. Almost immediately after formation of the plasmodiocarp, the protoplasm differentiates into autolytic and fruiting regions. The autolytic region is located at irregular intervals between the slime coat and the fruiting region and separated from both of them by membranes.

Soon after the autolytic region has formed, additional signs of degeneration appear in the autolytic region including unusual appearance of nuclei, increase in autophagic vacuoles, and the presence of clear areas in the ground substance. The plasma membrane, which once completely separated the slime coat from the autolytic region, is no longer continuous. Electron micrographs of the autolytic region from later developmental stages show formation of extensive channels which contain protoplasm in various stages of degradation. Acid phosphatase is present in the channels of the autolytic region. The morphological evidence and the presence of hydrolytic enzyme suggest the region is being digested and re-adsorbed.

After the autolytic region has been digested, an even layer of peridial wall material is laid down, and at regular intervals additional wall material is produced. The additional wall material forms the reticulation on the inside of the peridial wall.

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Author notes

  1. Iris Charvat

    Present address: Department of Botany, University of Minnesota, 55101, St. Paul, MN, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, California, USA

    Iris Charvat, Ian K. Ross & James Cronshaw

Authors
  1. Iris Charvat
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  2. Ian K. Ross
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  3. James Cronshaw
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Additional information

This work was supported by National Sciences Foundation grants (GB-5883 and GB-8537) to Dr.Ian K.Ross and an NSF Traineeship (GZ 445 and 796) to I.Charvat.

This constitutes a portion of a thesis presented to the Regents of the University of California by the first author in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Ph. D. degree.

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Charvat, I., Ross, I.K. & Cronshaw, J. Ultrastructure of the plasmodial slime moldPerichaena vermicularis . Protoplasma 78, 1–19 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01281519

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01281519

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