Mucor spores or sporangiospores can be simple or branched and form apical, globular sporangia that are supported and elevated by a column-shaped columella. Mucor species can be differentiated from molds of the genera Absidia, Rhizomucor, and Rhizopus by the shape and insertion of the columella, and the lack of stolons and rhizoids.

Sporangiophore: It is elongated, slightly narrow in shape. Columella: Sporangiophore swells up to form a dome-like structure called “Columella” which can vary in both shape and size. Sporangium: It is the round and thick outer covering which carries numerous spores inside it. …

Nonseptate or sparsely septate, broad (6-15 µm) hyphae, sporangiophores, sporangia, and spores are visualized. Intercalary or terminal arthrospores (oidia) located through or at the end of the hyphae and few chlamydospores may also be produced by some species.

Sporangiospores, a type of asexual spores produced by the Mucor spp., form larger, apical, and globular sporangia. Sporangia are mounted on columnella, supported, and elevated from the rest of the colony by column-shaped structures, sporangiophores ( Fig. 2 ).

Sporangia are spherical, varying from 20-80 µm in diameter, with small sporangia often having a persistent sporangial wall. Columellae are spherical to ellipsoidal and are up to 50 µm in diameter. Sporangiospores are hyaline, smooth-walled, ellipsoidal, and 4.5-7 x 3.5-5 µm in size.

Mucor was previously characterized by the formation of sporangia and equally shaped suspensors, as well as the absence of apophysis, rhizoids (root-like hyphae), and sporangiola. Recently, it was shown that Mucor species are able to form rhizoids [22,23].

The family Mucoraceae, which includes Mucor, is characterized by columellate multi-spored sporangia. In addition, rhizoids and stolons are either much reduced or completely absent in members of this family.

Sporangia and sporangiola are borne on separate and distinct sporangiophores. The sporangiospores are unique within the Mucorales as they possess hair-like appendages, in combination with a pigmented and differentially thickened (appearing striate under the microscope) wall.

Jul 26, 2023 · Spores: Spores are the primary mode of reproduction in Mucor. They are small, single-celled structures that are produced within the sporangia. When conditions are favorable, the sporangium bursts open, releasing the spores into the environment. These spores can disperse and germinate under suitable conditions to form new hyphae and mycelium.

Mucor has fast growing colonies and is characterized by tall, simple, unbranched sporangiophores without basal rhizoids, non-apophyseal sporangia, and pigmented zygosporangial walls. The walls are covered with granules, and the swollen apex contains spores that are white or yellow when immature, becoming brownish gray or dark gray when mature. .