Pithomyces
General Structure and Shape:
Spores of Pithomyces occur individually in air samples. The spores are multicellular and deeply pigmented. Distinctive features are the presence of both transverse and longitudinal divisions called septa; however, the spores of one species lacks the longitudinal septa. The shape of the spores vary from barrel-shaped, to ellipsoid, to club-shaped; they are almost always rounded at the ends with those cells on the end often collapsed. A colorless attachment peg is often visible at the base of the spore.
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Range of Textures:
The surface of these spores ranges from smooth, to slightly rough with small pointed projections, to warty with large, wide projections.
Allergenic Activity:
Spores of Pithomyces have demonstrated much allergenic activity in several reports, however the details of such activity are unknown.