Types of Ascocarp with Example

Ascocarps are classified into different types based on their structure and mode of development. Some common types are:

• Apothecium
• Cleistothecium
• Perithecium
• Pseudothecium
• Gymnothecium

Now let’s see each of them in detail.

Apothecium

Apothecium are open, cup-shaped ascocarps or fruiting bodies that are found in certain fungi. It mostly contains 3 parts: hymenium, excipulum and hypothecium. The asci or sacs that has spores are found inside the hypothecium. When the apothecia matures the spores are released into the air which also has a main role in spreading of fungi. Morchella is an example of a apothecium.

Cleistothecium

Cleistothecium is a spherical shaped fruiting body found in certain fungi. Cleistothecium is completely closed and do not have any special opening. Its outer wall is made up of pseudoparenchyma cells called the peridium which is covered by hyphae. Inside, the asci, which contain spores, are scattered throughout the flesh. Unlike other fungi, spores in cleistothecia do not release automatically. Instead certain animals may break them and then spore start to disperse. Eurotium exhibits this kind of enclosed fruiting body.

Perithecium

Perithecium is a flask-shaped fruiting body with an opening like a pore through which ascospores are released. The canal is lined with hair-like structures which are called as periphyses. Inside, cylindrical-shaped unitunicate asci are borne on a stalk and these are released through a pore. The asci have a well-developed inner wall originating from the perithecium. Perithecia are commonly found in fungi like Xylaria.

Pseudothecium

Pseudothecium is similar to a perithecium but has a double-wall structure. It expands to take in water and releases spores when dispersal is needed. but, the arrangement of asci inside the hymenium is not well-organized in a pseudothecium. Apple scab is an example of fungi with pseudothecia.

Gymnothecium

Gymnothecium is similar to a cleistothecium, pearl-shaped and completely closed. Inside it contains globose and tender asci. However, the wall of the gymnothecium is made up of hyphae with coils or spines that attract insects. Examples of fungi with gymnothecia include Talaromyces.

Ascocarp in fungi is a reproductive structure that belongs to the fungus of the phylum Ascomycota. The ascocarp fruiting body contains and protects the asci and spores. Understanding the ascocarp types and examples helps students recognize different fungal species and learn their life cycles. In this article, we will cover Ascocarp in detail.