Licht- und elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen von Entwicklungsstadien der FlechteEndocarpon pusillum unter Kulturbedingungen

The lichenEndocarpon pusillum Hedw. was cultivated under laboratory conditions on agar, silica gel and soil substrate. Selected developmental stages of the life cycle (germination, contact between the symbionts, cortex, squamule and perithecia development) were studied by light and scanning electron microscope.—It could be shown that the spores had no rigid spore walls with germination colpies and the spore cells which are in contact with the substrate were formed directly into germination tubes.— Further studies showed that the initial contact between the components was thigmotropic and both the form and the gelatinous matrix around the algal cells play an important role in this process. — The development of the cortex occurs under reduced moisture conditions resulting in a reduced algal reproduction. The thickness of the cortex was dependent on light intensity during cultivation. The cortex originated from hyphae, which developed beyond the algal layer and were combined to a tight network.—Fruiting bodies with spores and hymenial algae were only formed in cultures on soil substrate.

Frau Prof. Dr.Elisabeth Tschermak-Woess zu ihrem 70. Geburtstag gewidmet.