Northwest Lichenologists

Finding conidia

  • 06 Sep 2024 11:34 PM
    Message # 13403646

    Does anyone have tips for observing conidia/pycnospores/spermatia under the microscope? I realized I've never tried it, but can't find any resources (unlike with apothecia, which there are plenty of tips online for). Messing with a tiny pycnidium is intimidating. Does squashing tend to work with them, or is the only move just sectioning and getting lucky? Any advice would be appreciated!

    Last modified: 06 Sep 2024 11:34 PM | Justin Lange
  • 07 Sep 2024 7:42 AM
    Reply # 13403710 on 13403646
    Bruce McCune (Administrator)

    You can pluck them with the corner of a razor blade and then squash them. Or if you want to see how they are organized you can just section them as if you were sectioning an apothecium. That's pretty hard if they are on a slender projection, but if partially or fully embedded in the thallus they are usually pretty easy to section.

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