Cultural studies on the genus Termitomyces in South Africa. II. Macro- and micromorphology of comb sporodochia

Sporodochia bearing conidiophores were isolated from combs (fungus gardens) taken from termitaria of Macrotermes natalensis and Odontotermes badius . Stroma of sporodochial cultures from M. natalensis combs had a farinaceous, granular texture, while the stroma of sporodochial cultures from the combs of O. badius was excessively raised, cerebriform and tuberculous. Sporodochial mycelium of both isolates produced sympodially branched, holoarthric conidial chains and huge inflated, thin-walled conidia (sphaerocysts). Some differences were observed between the two isolates with respect to: (i) the morphology of conidiophores and (ii) associated thick-walled globular cysts of comb sporodochia. Lesser differences were also observed between cultures of comb sporodochia with respect to the shape of holoarthric conidia. Sporodochially produced conidia, as well as conidia produced in culture, germinated readily with one to four polar or subpolar germ-tubes.