ECOLOGICAL STUDIES ON TILE SYMBIOSIS OF TER ITOMYCES ...

2.4.1 TMMXTOMYCES
IN NATURE
2*4 TMMITOWCES
emit=ces In a Basidlomycote fungus which grows on the fungus
combs of termites of the sub-family Hacrotermitinse, withwhich it has
a symbiotic association. It can be seen on the fungus combs as
mycelium and also as round white bodies called mycot4tes (Heim 190).
These have variously been called spherules (Datra, and Datr, % 1979)s
nodules and synnemata, (Mgkrtin and Martin 1978)1, synnemata (Rohrman
1978)9 conidial spheres (Coaton 1961) and conidia (Abo-, Qmtwa 1977)-
The mycotOte consists of spherocysts bearing conidia of blastosporic
ontogeny and is the asemal reproductive structure of Temitomyces,
They are easily detached from the fungtw comb,
The sexual reproductive stage of Termitomyce. 9% the basLdiocarps
was only rarely encountered during the course of this worke It
consists of a cap with a prominent umbo or porforatorium, and a stipe
which in continued below the ground as a paeudorhiza which connects
It to the fungus comb. Keys to Identify the species of Tensit=ces
from the basidlocarp have been produced by Heim (1951,1958)9 Otieno
(1964)9 Pegler (1977) and Singer (1949).
The c=ct location of Termitomyces, in the nest systemg in termites
and outside the nest system were investigated, as was the establishment
of Temitomycess in new coloniesq and tho3e will be discussed latero
2.4.2 TM11TOMYCES IN CULTURE
Cultures of Termit ces associated with the termite species
mentioned in 2*3*2 vere made, ThO IBOIAtlon of Terinitomyces required
the development of a selective medium which WL11 be discussed In
Chapter 39 as will the incubation conditions. Isolations were made
6,.,.