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M U H A M M E D H A N E E F K A
A S S T . P R O F E S S O R
D E P T . O F B O T A N Y
G O V T . B R E N N E N C O L L E G E , T H A L A S S E R Y
SAPROLEGNIA
For M.Sc Botany, Kannur University
Systematic Position
 Kingdom - Mycota
 Division - Eumycota
 Sub-division - Mastigomycotina
 Class - Oomycetes
 Order - Saprolegniales
 Family - Saprolegniaceae
For M.Sc Botany, Kannur University
Introduction
 The genus Saprolegnia is represented by about 30 species.
 Most of the species are aquatic saprophytes, found on dead decaying
organic material or on the bodies of floating dead insects.
 Some species like S. parasitica and S. ferax are parasite on fishes or on
their eggs and they cause salmon disease.
 In India, the genus is represented by seven species; of these, S.
monoeca, S. ferax, S. litoralis and S. parasitica are more common.
 Saprolegnia can be grown easily in the laboratory by keeping a dead fly
in pond water in a test tube for few days.
For M.Sc Botany, Kannur University
Vegetative Structure
 The mycelium of Saprolegnia is profusely branched and coenocytic. Two types of hyphae
can be recognised during vegetative phase.
[1] Intra-material or rhizoidal hyphae
 These hyphae are short and are capable to absorb food materials from the substratum or
the host.
[II] Extra-material or external hyphae
 These hyphae grow on the surface of the host and spread in all directions in the water.
 They form visible part of the fungus and develop sex organs during the reproductive
phase.
 They are profusely branched, coenocytic and aseptate, but septa are formed at the bases
of sex organs.
For M.Sc Botany, Kannur University
 The cell wall is made up of cellulose and glucans.
 There are many nuclei in the vacuolated cytoplasm.
 The reserve food material is in the form of oil globules and glycogen.
 The thallus is eucarpic, i.e., only a part of the thallus is utilised in the
formation of fruiting bodies.
For M.Sc Botany, Kannur University
Vegetative Reproduction
 Takes place by fragmentation and chlamydospore formation
Fragmentation.
 Vegetative hyphae Id up into small segments and each segment capable to grow
into a new mycelium
Chlamydospore (Gemmae)
 Chlamydospores are thick-walled, ovoid, ghb or irregular bodies.
 They develop singly or in chains and may be terminal or internal in position
 On maturation, chlamydom are detached from the hyphae, they germinate A
suitable substratum and produce new mycelia
For M.Sc Botany, Kannur University
Asexual Reproduction
 Asexual reproduction takes place by zoospore which are produced in
zoosporangia
 The zoosporangia is an elongated cylindrical structure, formed at the tip of the
hyphae.
 Intercalary zoosporangia are also found in S. formosa,
 Zoosporangia are formed only on extra material hyphae.
 The tip of the hypha become swollen, accumulates numerous nuclei a
cytoplasm becomes dense
 This structure is now separated by a basal septum
 The mature sporangium club shaped.
 The multinucleate protoplast sporangium is cleaved into uninucleate
protoplasts
 Each uninucleate portion differentiates into biflagellate pear-shaped primary
zoospore.
For M.Sc Botany, Kannur University
For M.Sc Botany, Kannur University
 One of the flagellum of the zoospore is of whiplash type and the other of tinsel
type.
 Zoospores are released through an apical pore in the zoosporangium.
 They swim freely for some time and then come to rest, withdraw their flagella
and each secretes a thick wall.
 These resting zoospores are now known as primary cysts.
 During favourable conditions, the cysts germinate and produce biflagellate
kidney-shaped secondary zoospores.
 The secondary zoospores have lateral flagella; They swim for sometime and
then germinate, producing new mycelia.
 The phenomenon of the production of two types of zoospores (primary and
secondary) is known as diplanetism and these zoospores are called diplanetic.
For M.Sc Botany, Kannur University
 One of the characteristic features of Saprolegnia is the proliferation of
zoosporangium.
 Following the discharge of zoospores from the zoosporangium, growth
is renewed from the septum at the base of the sporangium and a new
apex is formed inside the old zoosporangium.
 This apex develops into a new zoosporangium inside the old one.
 The zoospores of this new zoosporangium are discharged through the
pore in the old zoosporangium.
 In some species of Saprolegnia this process is repeated several times
and as such one can find several empty zoosporangia one inside the
other.
For M.Sc Botany, Kannur University
Sexual Reproduction
 Sexual reproduction usually takes place during unfavourable conditions and is
of typically oogamous type.
 Male and female sex organs, known as antheridia and oogonia respectively,
usually develop terminally on the lateral branches of the mycelium.
 But in S. litoralis sex organs are intercalary in position.
 Most s of Saprolegnia are homothallic or monoecious but a few are
heterothallic or dioecious species
 Oogonia are usually formed singly or in chains the tips of the main hypha or its
lateral branches.
 The tip of the hyphal branch that develops into an oogonium swells
considerably and eventually becomes spherical or globose.
For M.Sc Botany, Kannur University
For M.Sc Botany, Kannur University
 Many nuclei along with cytoplasmic contents migrate into the swollen
portion and then it is separated from the rest of the mycelium by a
septum.
 As the oogonium increases in size, a large vacuole develops in its centre
and the multinucleate protoplast forms a thin peripheral layer.
 The nuclei undergo some mitotic divisions and the protoplast is cleaved
into as many segments as the number of nuclei.
 The mature oogonium is a thick-walled globose structure with usually
4-10 naked uninucleate spherical eggs.
 Occasionally, there are up to 32 eggs in an oogonium.
For M.Sc Botany, Kannur University
Antheridium
 Antheridia are also formed at the tips of the main hyphae or their lateral
branches.
 The tips which develop into antheridia are relatively broad than the supporting
hyphae and they contain dense elops in cytoplasm and many nuclei.
 These swollen tips are cut off from the hyphae by septa.
 The hyphae which bear antheridia are known as sporangiophores.
 The mature antheridium is a club shaped structure with dense cytoplasmic
contents and many nuclei.
For M.Sc Botany, Kannur University
Fertilization
 As antheridia mature, sporangiophores elongate and extend
towards oogonia and finally one or more antheridia become closely
attached to an oogonium.
 Thereafter, each antheridium gives off many delicate protuberances,
known as fertilization tubes, which penetrate the oogonium.
 In some species of Saprolegnia fertilization tubes are branched.
 The male nuclei pass into the oogonium through the fertilization
tubes and come in contact with the eggs.
 Only one male nucleus fuses with an egg. The fertilized egg secretes
a thick wall and this diploid structure is known as oospore.
For M.Sc Botany, Kannur University
For M.Sc Botany, Kannur University
Germination of oospore
 Oospores undergo a prolonged resting period.
 In favourable conditions, the oospore germinates by
producing an unbranched germ tube.
 The diploid nucleus of the oospore undergoes a
meiotic division, followed by several mitotic
divisions.
 The germ tube develops into a new mycelium.
For M.Sc Botany, Kannur University
 Sometimes the tip of the germ tube develops into a zoosporangium with many biflagellate
zoospores (equal to the number of the haploid nuclei).
 The zoospores are released by the rupture of the wall of the sporangium.
 They swim for sometimes and then come to rest.
 They withdraw their flagella and each zoospore secretes a thick wall around it self.
 The cyst, thus formed, germinates by producing a germ tube.
 In S. ferax, antheridia do not develop close to oogonia and as such fertilization of the e
not possible. Thus the eggs act as parthenospores and germinate directly.
For M.Sc Botany, Kannur University
Life cycle

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Saprolegnia

  • 1. M U H A M M E D H A N E E F K A A S S T . P R O F E S S O R D E P T . O F B O T A N Y G O V T . B R E N N E N C O L L E G E , T H A L A S S E R Y SAPROLEGNIA
  • 2. For M.Sc Botany, Kannur University Systematic Position  Kingdom - Mycota  Division - Eumycota  Sub-division - Mastigomycotina  Class - Oomycetes  Order - Saprolegniales  Family - Saprolegniaceae
  • 3. For M.Sc Botany, Kannur University Introduction  The genus Saprolegnia is represented by about 30 species.  Most of the species are aquatic saprophytes, found on dead decaying organic material or on the bodies of floating dead insects.  Some species like S. parasitica and S. ferax are parasite on fishes or on their eggs and they cause salmon disease.  In India, the genus is represented by seven species; of these, S. monoeca, S. ferax, S. litoralis and S. parasitica are more common.  Saprolegnia can be grown easily in the laboratory by keeping a dead fly in pond water in a test tube for few days.
  • 4. For M.Sc Botany, Kannur University Vegetative Structure  The mycelium of Saprolegnia is profusely branched and coenocytic. Two types of hyphae can be recognised during vegetative phase. [1] Intra-material or rhizoidal hyphae  These hyphae are short and are capable to absorb food materials from the substratum or the host. [II] Extra-material or external hyphae  These hyphae grow on the surface of the host and spread in all directions in the water.  They form visible part of the fungus and develop sex organs during the reproductive phase.  They are profusely branched, coenocytic and aseptate, but septa are formed at the bases of sex organs.
  • 5. For M.Sc Botany, Kannur University  The cell wall is made up of cellulose and glucans.  There are many nuclei in the vacuolated cytoplasm.  The reserve food material is in the form of oil globules and glycogen.  The thallus is eucarpic, i.e., only a part of the thallus is utilised in the formation of fruiting bodies.
  • 6. For M.Sc Botany, Kannur University Vegetative Reproduction  Takes place by fragmentation and chlamydospore formation Fragmentation.  Vegetative hyphae Id up into small segments and each segment capable to grow into a new mycelium Chlamydospore (Gemmae)  Chlamydospores are thick-walled, ovoid, ghb or irregular bodies.  They develop singly or in chains and may be terminal or internal in position  On maturation, chlamydom are detached from the hyphae, they germinate A suitable substratum and produce new mycelia
  • 7. For M.Sc Botany, Kannur University Asexual Reproduction  Asexual reproduction takes place by zoospore which are produced in zoosporangia  The zoosporangia is an elongated cylindrical structure, formed at the tip of the hyphae.  Intercalary zoosporangia are also found in S. formosa,  Zoosporangia are formed only on extra material hyphae.  The tip of the hypha become swollen, accumulates numerous nuclei a cytoplasm becomes dense  This structure is now separated by a basal septum  The mature sporangium club shaped.  The multinucleate protoplast sporangium is cleaved into uninucleate protoplasts  Each uninucleate portion differentiates into biflagellate pear-shaped primary zoospore.
  • 8. For M.Sc Botany, Kannur University
  • 9. For M.Sc Botany, Kannur University  One of the flagellum of the zoospore is of whiplash type and the other of tinsel type.  Zoospores are released through an apical pore in the zoosporangium.  They swim freely for some time and then come to rest, withdraw their flagella and each secretes a thick wall.  These resting zoospores are now known as primary cysts.  During favourable conditions, the cysts germinate and produce biflagellate kidney-shaped secondary zoospores.  The secondary zoospores have lateral flagella; They swim for sometime and then germinate, producing new mycelia.  The phenomenon of the production of two types of zoospores (primary and secondary) is known as diplanetism and these zoospores are called diplanetic.
  • 10. For M.Sc Botany, Kannur University  One of the characteristic features of Saprolegnia is the proliferation of zoosporangium.  Following the discharge of zoospores from the zoosporangium, growth is renewed from the septum at the base of the sporangium and a new apex is formed inside the old zoosporangium.  This apex develops into a new zoosporangium inside the old one.  The zoospores of this new zoosporangium are discharged through the pore in the old zoosporangium.  In some species of Saprolegnia this process is repeated several times and as such one can find several empty zoosporangia one inside the other.
  • 11. For M.Sc Botany, Kannur University Sexual Reproduction  Sexual reproduction usually takes place during unfavourable conditions and is of typically oogamous type.  Male and female sex organs, known as antheridia and oogonia respectively, usually develop terminally on the lateral branches of the mycelium.  But in S. litoralis sex organs are intercalary in position.  Most s of Saprolegnia are homothallic or monoecious but a few are heterothallic or dioecious species  Oogonia are usually formed singly or in chains the tips of the main hypha or its lateral branches.  The tip of the hyphal branch that develops into an oogonium swells considerably and eventually becomes spherical or globose.
  • 12. For M.Sc Botany, Kannur University
  • 13. For M.Sc Botany, Kannur University  Many nuclei along with cytoplasmic contents migrate into the swollen portion and then it is separated from the rest of the mycelium by a septum.  As the oogonium increases in size, a large vacuole develops in its centre and the multinucleate protoplast forms a thin peripheral layer.  The nuclei undergo some mitotic divisions and the protoplast is cleaved into as many segments as the number of nuclei.  The mature oogonium is a thick-walled globose structure with usually 4-10 naked uninucleate spherical eggs.  Occasionally, there are up to 32 eggs in an oogonium.
  • 14. For M.Sc Botany, Kannur University Antheridium  Antheridia are also formed at the tips of the main hyphae or their lateral branches.  The tips which develop into antheridia are relatively broad than the supporting hyphae and they contain dense elops in cytoplasm and many nuclei.  These swollen tips are cut off from the hyphae by septa.  The hyphae which bear antheridia are known as sporangiophores.  The mature antheridium is a club shaped structure with dense cytoplasmic contents and many nuclei.
  • 15. For M.Sc Botany, Kannur University Fertilization  As antheridia mature, sporangiophores elongate and extend towards oogonia and finally one or more antheridia become closely attached to an oogonium.  Thereafter, each antheridium gives off many delicate protuberances, known as fertilization tubes, which penetrate the oogonium.  In some species of Saprolegnia fertilization tubes are branched.  The male nuclei pass into the oogonium through the fertilization tubes and come in contact with the eggs.  Only one male nucleus fuses with an egg. The fertilized egg secretes a thick wall and this diploid structure is known as oospore.
  • 16. For M.Sc Botany, Kannur University
  • 17. For M.Sc Botany, Kannur University Germination of oospore  Oospores undergo a prolonged resting period.  In favourable conditions, the oospore germinates by producing an unbranched germ tube.  The diploid nucleus of the oospore undergoes a meiotic division, followed by several mitotic divisions.  The germ tube develops into a new mycelium.
  • 18. For M.Sc Botany, Kannur University  Sometimes the tip of the germ tube develops into a zoosporangium with many biflagellate zoospores (equal to the number of the haploid nuclei).  The zoospores are released by the rupture of the wall of the sporangium.  They swim for sometimes and then come to rest.  They withdraw their flagella and each zoospore secretes a thick wall around it self.  The cyst, thus formed, germinates by producing a germ tube.  In S. ferax, antheridia do not develop close to oogonia and as such fertilization of the e not possible. Thus the eggs act as parthenospores and germinate directly.
  • 19. For M.Sc Botany, Kannur University Life cycle