Close Observation of the Fruiting Bodies of Cup Fungi (Ascomycetes)

question 75

Multiple Choice

Close observation of the fruiting bodies of cup fungi (ascomycetes) shows that when asci of cup fungi forcibly eject their spores up into the air, they tend do so in groups (i.e., many asci at once) instead of one at a time. Furthermore, spores released during one of these group events tend to go higher into the air than do spores released from a single ascus. This suggests that the simultaneous spore release by multiple asci is likely an adaptation that:

• A)enhances the ability of spores to penetrate the layer of stagnant or unmoving air above the fruiting body.
• B)satiates spore predators, increasing the likelihood that some spores will not be eaten.
• C)increases the likelihood that multiple spores will arrive at the same food resource, thus enhancing the likelihood of successful colonization.
• D)allows for the formation of new asci by allowing new regions of the fruiting body to undergo karyogamy.