Fungi are an important component of the ecosystem. They are essential for the re cycling of minerals and carbon by the decomposition of organic debris and waste. It has been estimated that fungi recycle millions of tons of organic waste annually. Life for other types of organism would come to a virtual halt without the activity of fungi. In addition, mushrooms and other fleshy fungi are a source of nutrition for many animals, including Humans. However, in addition many plant and animal diseases are fungal, (Moore-Landecker, 1996).

Fungi reproduce both sexually and asexually (non sexually) and both methods result in the production of spores. The life cycles of fungi can involve both sexual and asexual stages. The asexual spores are referred to as the anamorph, while the sexual spores and their associated reproductive structures are called the teleomorph. The spores from these two stages of the life cycle can be morphologically dissimilar. The teleomorph spores (sexually produced) are classified according to the sexual structure in which the spores develop. Many complex fungi produce multicellular reproductive bodies - a sporocarp. A familiar example of a sporocarp is the gilled mushroom, which is specialized to produce and discharge the spores resulting from sexual reproduction.The anamorph spores are grouped together into the Fungi imperfecti group, also referred to as the form-division Deuteromycota, (Moore-Landecker, 1996). An example can be seen of the left. The top two spores are the asexual anamorph, while the third spore (Pleospora/Lewia) is the sexual teleospore.

Fungal Spores occur in great numbers in outdoor air. It was estimated by Kendrick (1990) that there are over 100,000 fungi whose spores may become airborne. Many parameters influence airborne fungal spore concentrations. These include geographic, meteorological and human factors. Generally, there are lower airborne concentrations in large towns and cities, when compared to rural and semi-rural sites.

Many spores are difficult to identify to a species level, so they are often grouped together according to morphological similarities. Many have been shown to be allergenic (that is to induce allergic responses in susceptible individuals) and allergens from fungal spores can be potent inducers of asthma and seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR), (Woolcock, et al., 1995). Three groups of fungi which are of primary concern to aerobiologists and allergists are: Fungi Imperfecti (including the asexual spores of many types of fungi including moulds); Ascomycota (including cup fungi and mildews) and Basidiomycota (including mushrooms, puff balls, jelly fungi, rusts and smuts).

SITE INDEX

Home
Introduction
Fungi Imperfecti/Deuteromycota
Ascomycota
Basidiomycota
Fungal Spores and Allergy
Assessing the Effects
Sampling Spores
Culturing
Visual Identification
Details and Images of some common spore types

References
Links