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Bio Systems1988; 21(3-4); 403-415; doi: 10.1016/0303-2647(88)90039-1

Ultrastructural description of a new chytrid genus of caecum anaerobe, Caecomyces equi gen. nov., sp. nov., assigned to the Neocallimasticaceae.

Abstract: Vegetative and reproductive stages of Caecomyces equi gen. nov., sp. nov. isolated from the horse caecum were examined by light and electron microscopy. This organism, which is similar to isolates known as Sphaeromonas communis, produces uniflagellate, uninucleate zoospores whose perikinetosomal structures, i.e. circumflagellar ring, spur, struts and scoop, are similar in many respects to those described in species of Neocallimastix. Microtubular roots extend basally from the spur and associate with hydrogenosomes and the nucleus. Another group of microtubules radiates laterally in a fan-shaped array close to the plasmalemma. Zoospores encyst, shedding their flagella with basal bodies, and germinate to diglobular thalli. Either coralloid or bulbous rhizoids form in plant material, but only the latter in axenic culture. Incipient zoospores are produced from a multinucleate eucarpic thallus and devlop within cleavage vacuoles containing flagella. An isolate from the cow rumen was found to be similar to C. equi in morphology and zoospore ultrastructure. On the basis of zoospore ultrastructure, we assign the new genus to the Neocallimasticaceae of the order Spizellomycetales. Organisms previously described as Sphaeromonas communis and Piromonas communis are renamed Caecomyces communis and Piromyces communis and assigned to the same family.
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Publication Date: 1988-01-01 PubMed ID: 3395694DOI: 10.1016/0303-2647(88)90039-1Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study presents a detailed examination of a newly identified fungus, Caecomyces equi, found in the gut of horses, which has been identified as a part of the Neocallimasticaceae family. Various features of its life cycle, morphology and cellular structures are examined, largely focusing on the structures associated with its flagellate spore stage.

Microscopic Observation of Caecomyces equi

  • The research begins by examining the fungus through both light and electron microscopy, highlighting its similarity to other known fungi such as Sphaeromonas communis.
  • Specific focus during the examination falls on the complex flagella structure that is present during this fungus’s zoospore stage. The various structures associated with the flagellum, including the basal ring, spur, struts, and scoop, were studied.

Cellular Structure and Life Cycle

  • The microscopes unveiled distinct characteristics which include microtubular roots that extend from the spur and interact with hydrogenosomes and the nucleus of the cell.
  • There’s another group of microtubules radiating in a fan-like manner close to the cell’s periphery.
  • The researchers also studied the life cycle of the organism, noticing that the zoospore transforms into a cyst and sheds its flagella in the process before germinating into a different form, known as diglobular thalli.
  • The research also identified particular features that are only seen when the organism interacts with plant material, including the formation of specific types of hyphae, called coralloid or bulbous rhizoids.

Similarities with Other Species

  • In addition, when examining a sample from cow rumen, known for its rich microbial biodiversity, researchers found isolates presenting a similar morphology and zoospore structure with C. equi, pointing out possible similarities within the species.
  • To end, the researchers suggest a reclassification of previously described species, Sphaeromonas communis and Piromonas communis, to the same family following findings from the C. equi study.

In conclusion, this research introduces a newly described genus within the Neocallimasticaceae family, Caecomyces equi, providing a thorough analysis of its structure and life cycle. Furthermore, it suggests possible reassignments for other organisms within this family based upon shared features.

Cite This Article

APA
Gold JJ, Heath IB, Bauchop T. (1988). Ultrastructural description of a new chytrid genus of caecum anaerobe, Caecomyces equi gen. nov., sp. nov., assigned to the Neocallimasticaceae. Biosystems, 21(3-4), 403-415. https://doi.org/10.1016/0303-2647(88)90039-1

Publication

Bio Systems
ISSN: 0303-2647
NlmUniqueID: 0430773
Country: Ireland
Language: English
Volume: 21
Issue: 3-4
Pages: 403-415

Researcher Affiliations

Gold, J J
  • Biology Department, York University, North York, Ontario, Canada.
Heath, I B
    Bauchop, T

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Cecum / microbiology
      • Feces / microbiology
      • Fungi / classification
      • Fungi / isolation & purification
      • Fungi / ultrastructure
      • Horses
      • Microscopy, Electron

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