244 CLASS ASCOMTCETEAE 



Roberts (1946) describes experiments and observations with TapJy^ina 

 deformans and Torulopsis pulcherrima (Lindner) Sacc, which demon- 

 strate many points of similarity in cultural behavior and in structure of 

 the organisms in culture. Both grow in culture in the manner of the 

 budding yeasts (Saccharomycetaceae). Torulopsis frequently produces 

 large thick-walled cells which bud out a small thin-walled two- to three- 

 spored ascus. A similar phenomenon was observed in the cultures of 

 Taphrina by Miss Roberts and also by Mix (1924, 1935). This would 

 seem to indicate the possibility that Torulopsis is a yeast-like derivative 

 of the Taphrinales. It is well know^n that very many widely unrelated 

 fungi may adopt the yeast manner of growth. It must be noted however 

 that Anton de Bary (1884) believed the yeasts and the Taphrinales to 

 be primitive, closely related Ascomycetes, a viewpoint not shared by the 

 author of this textbook. 



Key to the More Important Families of Order Laboulbeniales 



{Modified from Thaxter, 1908) 



Antherids producing naked sperms endogenously. 



Antherids opening by separate tubes. Family Laboulbeniaceae 



12 or more subfamilies. Characteristic genera Laboulbenia, Stigmata my ces, etc. 

 Antherids compound, i.e., opening into a common chamber which has one 

 opening to the outside. Family Peyritschiellaceae 



20 or more genera. Peyritschiella, Dimorphomyces etc. 

 Antherids, more or less undifferentiated cells of the appendages or of their 

 branches with thin walls. 

 Forming massive multicellular plants. Family Zodiomycetaceae 



3 or more genera. Zodiomyces, etc. 



Not forming massive multicellular plants. Family Ceratomycetaceae 



4 or more genera. Ceratomyces, etc. 



(Many of the groups named by Thaxter should perhaps be made into distinct 

 families.) 



Key to the Orders of Apothecial Fungi (Discomycetes) 



Parasitic upon fresh-water algae which they enclose in a definite "lichen" thallus. 



Order Lecanorales 

 Not parasitic upon algae or if so not forming a definite "lichen" thallus. 



Apothecia fleshy or leathery, external from the first or emerging more or less 

 from the substratum; round in outline, less often narrowed, sessile or 

 stalked. Usually not in a stroma (except Cyttaria). Ascospores discharged 

 into the air. Order Pezizales 



Asci opening by an approximately apical lid (operculum). 



Suborder Operculatae 

 Asci without an operculum. Suborder Inoperculatae 



Apothecia fleshy, permanently subterranean, with a simple cavity Uned with 

 hymenium or the cavity divided by folds and ridges into chambers and 

 passageways. Ascospores not discharged into the air. 



Order Tuberales 



