Lab 3: Zoosporic   fungi

Objective

The objective of this experiment was to isolate zoosporic fungi and isolate Allomyces (Chytridiomycota) using a cucumber seed as a bait .

Materials and Methods

The original intention was to zoosporic fungi but we ended up using Oomycetes to observe zoospores.

Water samples containing Phytophthora zoospores were observed under a microscope.

Allomyces were baited from the soil by placing a cucumber seed in the soil solution.

Results

Since the structures we were suppose to observe were elusive, pictures below have been borrowed from cited sources.

Zoospores

  Sporangia and zoospores of P. capsici: (A) sporangia and zoospores; (B) a sporangium releasing zoospores.  Source : Apsnet.org

Allomyces

        source:http://www.buildingthepride.com/faculty/pgdavison/kingdom_fungi.htm

Discussion

Even though we changed samples to Oomycetes, the zoospores were difficult to observe. There seem to be a lower population populations and were scarce in our samples. It is clear from the above pictures of that the zoospores have flagella which propels around.
Allomyces have a meisosporangium which is a thick walled diploid structure that produces haploid zoospores. In addition they do have a mitosporangium where spore formation occurs after mitosis.

Conclusion
With respect to zoospore presence Oomycetes even though they are a fungi have some resemblance with Allomyces whic belong to Chytridiomycota.