Reproduction

Fungi like plants have an alternation of generations. They are typically both sexual (meiotic) and asexual (mitotic) and reproduce by spores that are usually wind disseminated. Lepiota josserandii like Ganoderma lucidum are fungi part of the phylum Basidiomycota which have their own typical mushroom forming life cycle. Spores are born externally on a basidium and usually do not have asexual spores. The Deadly Parasol spores during late summer, early fall and are not dependent on light. An environmental cue is needed for  L. josserandii reproduction due to their stalk height, diameter, and cap size being affected by temperature, humidity, and fresh air. Lepiota josserandii begins it's sexual reproduction when hyphae form two mycelia releasing sexual signals. The mycelium is dikaryotic meaning two nuclei, the cytoplasms then fuse together (plasmogamy). An environmental cue is triggerd and the nuclei fuse together (karogomy). Meiosis then produces four spored cells and they germinate.
                              
Basidiomycete life cycle in detail:
1. The fruting body which is the mature mushroom
2. Cross section through pileus (cap) where the amatoxin is stored
3. Magnified view of the gills where spores are released
4. Highly magnified view of one basidium which is the place of reproduction.
5. Germinating basidiospores usually wind dispersed.
6. Primary Mycelium is an interwoven mass of which the fungus feeds.
7. Fusion of cells of two primary mycelia (plural for mycelium).
8. Clam Connection Development is the separation of each hypha.
9. Secondary Mycelium
10. Extensive secondary mycelium giving rise to basidiocarps
11. Mushroom primoidia is the rising of the fruiting body.

 

 

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