IB 371 - GENERAL MYCOLOGY

LABORATORY - SAPROLEGNIALES
Thursday, October 9, 2003
The Saprolegniales occur commonly in water and soil as saprophytes and are commonly called the
"water molds". The thallus is mycelial, branches profusely and can be seen without the aid of a
microscope. Some taxa produce two types of zoospores asexually while others produce only one.
Sexual reproduction is oogamous and fertilization is accomplished by penetration of antheridial
branches into the oogonium.
Purpose: To determine the type of zoospores produced asexually and the morphology of the
gametangia and zygote for three species in the Saprolegniales.
Materials: Water cultures of Achlya recurva, Achlya sp1. Achlya sp.2 Thraustotheca clavata,
Protoachlya hypogyna and Saprolegnia terrestris, Saprolegnia sp. razor blades, DS.
Methods: With sterile forceps remove a colonized hemp seed to a microscope slide. Slice off
some of the hyphae with a razor blade near the surface of the hemp seed in a drop of DS. Return
the hemp seed to the water culture. Search the hyphae for sporangia and gametangia (use
illustrations provided to you as a guide). Watch for zoospore discharge and characterize the type
of zoospores released.
Results: In table form, compare the genera with respect to (1) pattern of zoospore discharge; (2)
whether the zoospores are monoplanetic, diplanetic or polyplanetic; (3) whether primary and/or
secondary zoospores are present, (4) gametangial morphology (5) oospore number and (6)
morphology; and (7) nuclear state of the zoospores and oospores. There will be illustrative
material around the room to help you and you will also find your text helpful. Please turn in your
table with your name on it before you leave class.
Demonstration material of the Lagenidiales, Leptomitales and Rhipidiales will be set out for your
observation.