Germinating Spores

Germinating spores of R. clarus, either singly or in pairs (below)
Germinating spores of R. clarusGerminating spores of R. clarus photographed at 100mmGerminating spores of R. clarus with the germ tube emerging from the subtending hypha


Rhizophagus clarus, like some other glomoid species, produces intercalary and terminal swellings that do not appear to develop into spores. Some spores produce abundant branch hyphae directly from the emergent germ tube (far right photo).

Dentiscutata heterogama (left) Claroideoglomus etunicatum (right)

Dentiscutata heterogama photographed at 100mm

Claroideoglomus etunicatum photographed at 100mm


The spores in the photos above were incubating on membrane filters for 16 days before being stained. Note the various types of hyphal morphology (coarse vs. fine; pigmented versus hyaline). Dentiscutata heterogama spores often produce abundant auxiliary cells from hyphae branching from the germ tube.