Heterokaryosis in the Entomogenous Fungus, Metarrhizium Anisopliae

Abstract

Heterokaryosis apparently occurs in Metarrhizium anisopliae. Multiple-marked strains were used to synthesize heterokaryons in the laboratory. Although many hyphal tips from presumptive heterokaryotic cultures did not grow on minimal medium some of the tips were shown to contain both components by selective plating. Poor complementation between markers is suggested as a cause of nongrowth. Apparently conidia did not perpetuate a heterokaryon. Auxotrophic markers were obtained readily by total isolation and by filtration enrichment techniques following irradiation of conidia with ultraviolet light. Strains resistant to acriflavine, malachite green, phytoactin, and ustilagic acid appeared as spontaneous mutations. Resistance to malachite green also conferred resistance to acriflavine and crystal violet; whereas, resistance to acriflavine appeared unitary.