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Notes on the Genera Ectomyces and Termitaria, Fungi Parasitic on Termites

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2009

P. Tate
Affiliation:
(From the Molteno Institute for Research in Parasitology, University of Cambridge.)

Extract

Recently (1927) I described a peculiar fungus parasitic on the fore-legs of a termite under the name Ectomyces calotermi n.g., n.sp. Unfortunately, I at the time overlooked a paper by Thaxter (1920), in which, among other fungus parasites of insects, he described the genus Termitaria which he founded for two species of a fungus parasitic on termites, and which appears to be the same as Ectomyces. I considered Ectomyces to be an Ascomycete; but Thaxter, who studied living material at different stages, says that the apothecial-like fructification arises by vertical proliferation from a primary pseudo-cellular layer of much branched and closely septate hyphae, some cells of which become modified and assume a chlamydospore-like appearance; and that the spores are successively abstricted as endo-conidia, and, in one species, are expelled through a terminal pore. Consequently, he considers it to be a Fungus Imperfectus of uncertain affinities, and apparently occupying an isolated position in the group Leptostromaceae.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1928

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References

Feytaud, J. and Dieuzeide, R. (1927). Sur un champignon parasite du Reticulitermes lucifugus Rossi. C.R. Acad. Sci. 185, 671672.Google Scholar
Snyder, T. E. (1915). Biology of the Termites of the Eastern United States, with Pre ventive and Remedial Measures. U.S. Dept. Agric. Bur. Ent., Bull. No. 94, Part II.Google Scholar
Tate, P. (1927). On Ectomyces calotermi n.g., n.sp., an Ascomyeete Parasitic on Calotermes samoanus Holmgren (Isoptera, Protermitidae). Parasitology, 19, 5460.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Thaxter, R. (1920). Second Note on Certain Peculiar Fungus-Parasites of Living Insects Bot. Gaz. 69, 127.CrossRefGoogle Scholar