Summary
Phagocytosis ofNostoc filaments byGeosiphon, a fungus closely related to AM forming Glomales, was observed under light microscopes. Incorporation can only be performed ifNostoc primordia come into contact with growing hyphal tips of the fungus. The fungal wall just below the apex softens, and fungal cytoplasm is bulged out repeatedly covering the vegetativeNostoc cells but not the heterocytes. New heterocytes are differentiated by the internalised filament whose cells can increase up to ten times in volume after recovering from incorporation strain. TheNostoc cells are coated stepwise by short finger-shaped protuberances of the fungal hypha. These hernia-like outgrowths first remain separated, after 1 to 2 days they merge. Adjacent hyphal walls inside the complex covering disintegrate. Periphal fungal wall portions are united to form a smooth strong outer envelope. Internalisation is categorised as phagocytosis. The partnership is partly specific,Nostoc strains capable of living endocytobiotically are often partners in other symbioses besidesGeosiphon.
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Abbreviations
- AM:
-
arbuscular mycorrhiza (formerly VAM vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza)
- DIC:
-
differential interference contrast
- LD:
-
light/dark
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Dedicated to Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Eberhard Schnepf on the occasion of his retirement
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Mollenhauer, D., Mollenhauer, R. & Kluge, M. Studies on initiation and development of the partner association inGeosiphon pyriforme (Kütz.) v. Wettstein, a unique endocytobiotic system of a fungus (Glomales) and the cyanobacteriumNostoc punctiforme (Kütz.) Hariot. Protoplasma 193, 3–9 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01276630
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01276630