Ultrastructure and genotypic characterization of the filamentous fungus Cochliobolus lunatus in comparison to the anamorphic strain Curvularia lunata

Abstract Although Curvularia lunata is classified as a conidial anamorph of Cochliobolus lunatus , the electron microscopic studies revealed the ultrastructure of both strains to be significantly different. C. lunatus m118 grows in the hyphal form characterized by a thick cell wall and numerous lipid bodies. C. lunata forms thinner hyphae of various sizes and large oval spores. Electrophoretic karyotypes of C. lunatus m118 (this paper) and C. lunata AT46 (Osiewacz, H. and Ridder, R. (1991) Curr. Genet. 20, 151–155) as well as RAPD-PCR analysis with the primer (GTG)₅ indicate close genetic relationship of both microorganisms.