Zoospore

A zoospore is a motile asexual spore that uses a flagellum for locomotion. Also called a swarm spore, these spores are created by some algae, bacteria and fungi to propagate themselves.

Contents

Flagella

There are two types of flagellated zoospores, tinsel or "decorated", and whiplash.

Tinsellated flagella have lateral filaments perpendicular to the main axis which allow for more surface area, and disturbance of the medium, giving it the property of a rudder, that is, the purpose of being used for steering.

Oomycetes and heterokont algae produce distinct bi-flagellated zoospores:

The phyla Chytridiomycota (Kingdom Fungi), Oomycota (Kingdom Chromista), and Hyphochytridiomycota within (Kingdom Chromista), produce zoospores with flagella in the same order as described above (e.g. Hyphochytridiomycota produces anterior whiplash and none else). These phyla number 1000+, 580 and 16 species respectively.

Zoosporangium

A zoosporangium is the sexual structure in which the zoospores develop in a plant, fungi, or protists (such as the oomycota)

See also

References