Introduction to Fungi, Third Edition

698 ANAMORPHIC FUNGI
Fig 25.21 Some aero-aquatic helicosporous fungi. (a) Helicoon
richonis.(b)Helicodendron triglitziense.(c)Helicodendron
conglomeratum.The central spore is drawn in optical section to
show the trapped air bubble.
25.3.2 Ecophysiological studies
Although aero-aquatic fungi are taxonomically
diverse, they share several common physiological
features which help in understanding their
ecology (for references see Webster & Descals,
1981; Dix & Webster, 1995; Voglmayr, 2000).
Simple techniques have aided studies of their
ecology. Quantitative studies on colonization
and survival have been made using small discs
of leaves of beech, Fagus sylvatica. Sterile or
artificially inoculated discs can be submerged
among the accumulated leaf detritus in a pond
and recovered at intervals in order to monitor
the development of conidia for quantifying
colonization.
The bubble-trap propagules of aero-aquatic
fungi are hydrophobic and float ungerminated
at the water surface of stagnant ponds. Autumn-