Abstract
Light and scanning electron microscope observations of the cleistothecial appendages, asci and ascospore appendage ontogeny in
Crinigera maritima are presented. Cleistothecia have short branched appendages over the entire surface and long, basally attached, unbranched hyphae. Asci are thick-walled but at maturity deliquesce to release appendaged ascospores. The inner wall layer(s) of young ascospores is surrounded by a sheath composed of two layers. Following the liberation of the ascospores, the outer layer of the sheath swells. This layer becomes more diffuse and forms ball-like structures, while the strands of the inner layer uncoil to form radiating appendages to which the ball-like structures may remain attached. The distal ends of the appendages frequently become very fibrillar and may aid in the attachment of the ascospores. Spore appendage development in
C. maritima is compared with that of other marine ascomycetes.