A New Basidiomycetous Septal Type: The Multiperforate Septum in Kriegeria Eriophori

Abstract

Septa from metabasidia and clamp connections of the heterobasidiomycetous sedge parasite Kriegeria eriophori were studied with light and electron microscopy. Septa from clamp connections subtending pro basidia were reconstructed from serial sections. Septa at clamp connections are perforated by multiple, simple pores, while metabasidial septa possess single, central swellings which probably represent pores occluded by wall material. The occurrence of multiperforate septa in the fungi is reviewed. The septal morphology of K. eriophori is compared to that of simple-septate heterobasidiomycetes, and the systematic and functional implications are discussed.