The life cycle of the zygomycete Rhizopus stolonifer

Sexual reproduction :

• Mycelia of different mating types (-) and (+) forming hyphal extension (gametangia) which each of the mycelia encloses several haploid nuclei.

• During plasmogamy, a zygosporangium forms, containing multiple haploid nuclei from the two parents.

• The zygosporangium develops a rough and thick-walled coating that can resist harsh condition for month.

• When the condition are favourable , karyogamy occurs, then later, the meiosis also occurs.

• During meiosis, the zygosporangium germinates into a sporangium on a short stalk.

• Next, the sporangium disperses genetically diverse haploid spore.

• The spores germinate and grow into new mycelia.

Asexual reproduction :

• Mycelia can also reproduce asexually by forming sporangia that produce genetically identical haploid spore.

#fungi #lifecycle #micology