• ALGAE
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.225-232
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• 2005

Optical microscopy of recently living and cleared material of the fucoid, Ascophyllum nodosum (L.) Le Jolis, revealed novel aspects of its interaction with the ascomycete Mycophycias ascophylli (Cotton) Kohlmeyer and Kohlmeyer (previously Mycosphaerella ascophylli Cotton). Most host cells are associated with hyphae by lateral attachment of cell walls. Hyphae form extensive networks throughout the host thallus and show considerable differentiation in the various host tissues. In the base of epidermal cells, hyphae form multicellular rings around each host cell to produce a continuous network. In medullary regions, long, relatively unbranched and longitudinally aligned hyphae occur, with radial branches extending into cortical regions. Scattered in the inner cortex of host tissue are numerous multicellular nodes of smaller, polygonal to irregular shaped cells with five or more radiating arms of hyphae. Individual hyphal cells show a variety of specializations including swellings and appressoria-like attachments to some host cells. These observations provide the morphological basis for the mutualistic symbiosis supported by recent experimental work. We conclude that this association is best described by the term “symbiotum.”

• ALGAE
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• 제20권4호
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• pp.363-368
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• 2005

The brown alga Ascophyllum nodosum and its mutualistic, ascomycete symbiont, Mycophycias ascophylli, form a complex ‘rganism’or symbiotum. Here we show the interaction of the symbiotum to the abundant brown algal epiphyte, Elachista fucicola. Microscopy of field-collected plants shows morphological responses of A. nodosum to the common epiphyte E. fucicola. When E. fucicola attaches to A. nodosum a bundle of several to dozens of rhizoids penetrates into the host. On the surface of the host, the cells proliferate to form a donut-shaped ring, 100-200 μm in height that surrounds the thallus of E. fucicola. A pit forms in advance of the rhizoids and the cells of A. nodosum break down. This leaves the network of fungal hyphae partially intact and intermingling with the epiphyte rhizoids and its lowermost cells. After the pit is formed, the cells of A. nodosum bordering the infection chamber redifferentiate an epidermal layer. Neither the host nor its mutualistic fungus, M. ascophylli appears to recognize E. fucicola as an invader and to prevent the attachment and growth of this epiphyte. Based on the physical damage to the host caused by invading rhizoids, we conclude that the relationship of E. fucicola to A. nodosum is that of a parasite and its host.

• ALGAE
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• 제20권4호
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• pp.353-361
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• 2005

Ascophyllum nodosum (L.) Le Jolis has a systemic infection with the ascomycete Mycophycias ascophylli (Cotton) Kohlmeyer and Volkmann-Kohlmeyer with which it establishese a mutualistic symbiosis. In addition, A. nodosum is the host for the obligate red algal epiphyte, Vertebrata lanosa (L.) Christensen. Using light and electron microscopy we describe morphological and cytochemical changes occurring as a consequence of rhizoid penetration of V. lanosa into cortical host tissue. Rhizoids induce localized cell necrosis based on physical damage during rhizoid penetration. Host cells adjacent to the rhizoid selectively undergo a hypersensitive reaction in which they become darkly pigmented and become foci for hyphal development. Light and electron microscopy show that M. ascophylli forms dense hyphal aggregations on the surface of the V. lanosa rhizoid and extensive endophytic hyphal growths in the rhizoid wall. This is the first morphological evidence of an interaction between M. ascophylli and V. lanosa. We speculate that M. ascophylli may be interacting with V. lanosa to limit tissue damage to their shared host. In addition, the fungus provides a potential pathway for the transfer of materials (e.g., nutrients and photosynthate) between the two phototrophs.