Sexual reproduction in thePeronosporomycetes(chromistan fungi)

Abstract

An overview of sexual reproduction in the Peronosporomycetes leads to the recognition of constant features and variable traits. Variation in characters is accorded different weighting depending on its use for taxonomic identification or phylogenetic systematics. The phylogenetic significance of features of gametangial morphogenesis, such as vacuolation and the patterns of nuclear meioses and abortions, can be related to morphological characters such as the persistence of periplasm and oogonial and oospore wall deposition. The cellular reorganization occurring in the oogonium and oospores, particularly in relation to the possible functions of the dense body vesicle system and the glucan, phosphate, and lipid oospore reserves, may be critical for the internal morphology of the mature oospore and its function. Such differences are valuable for morphometric analysis, which lends itself to new identification procedures. The ecological implications of these differences in the production of oogonia and oospores are considered; sexual reproduction (its frequency or absence) may be crucial for successful life-history strategies in biodiversity. Key words: meiosis, karyogamy, syngamy, morphogenesis, morphometry, wall membranes.