Die Bedeutung der Proterosporen: Schlußfolgerungen aus Untersuchungen an Ganoderma ( Basidiomycetes).

Proterospores are formed exclusively at the beginning of the sporulation period and independently of abiotic factors. They differ both morphologically and physiologically from other spores developed later by the same fruit-body. As seen in Ganoderma, proterospores germinate readily, whereas other spores must first pass through a fly larva gut. These proterospores are therefore well adapted to dispersal by air, the other spores, however, to dispersal by animals. In this respect, ontogenesis appears to recapitulate phylogeny. A comparative study of proterospores should further clarify systematic relationships within the fungi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]