ectospore ectospore (Gr. ektós, outside, to the exterior + sporá, spore): an exogenous spore. A term formerly used to designate a basidiospore. Syn. of exospore. ectostroma, pl. ectostromata (Gr. ektós, outside + strõma, bed, small cushion): in the stromatic Pyrenomycetes, such as species of Eutypa (Xylariales) and Cryphonectria (Diaporthales), it represents the stroma situated in the periderm of the host plant, above the endostroma (internal stroma in which the perithecia form); generally, the ectostroma produces conidia. In other stromatic Pyrenomycetes, such as the species of Xylaria (Xylariales), the ectostroma (which is usually dark in color) is penetrated by the ostiolar necks of the perithecia and is clearly separated from the endostroma, which is much less pigmented. Cf. endostroma.
Ectostroma (EC) and endostroma (EN) of Cryphonectria (=Endothia) parasitica; the perithecia are embedded in the endostroma and their ostiolar necks protrude from the ectostroma, x 25 (MU).
Ectostroma (arrow) and endostroma of the perithecial stroma of Xylaria sp., seen in transverse section, x 80 (MU).
ectothecal (Gr. ektós, outside + L. thecicus, belonging to or relating to the theca < Gr. thêke, box; here, of the asci + L. pref. -alis > E. -al, belonging to or relating to): Ascomycetes. Having the hymenium exposed.
ectothrix (Gr. ektós, outside + thríx, hair): one of the two modes of invasion by fungi of the hair of man and animals, in which the parasite forms a layer of arthrospores in a mosaic outside the axis of the hairs, as happens in the ectothritic species Microsporum audouinii and M. canis (moniliaceous asexual fungi). Cf. endothrix.
Ectothrix invasion of a human hair by Microsporum canis, x 260 (MU).
ectotroph (Gr. ektós, outside + trépho, to feed, nourish): 1. Mycorrhizae. A mycorrhizogenous fungus that does not penetrate the cells of the host plant, but remains outside the root, or at most, insinuates itself between the cells; also applied to a mycorrhiza formed by a fungus with this behavior. The name ectotroph is due to the fungus obtaining from the external medium the nutrients that it provides for the host. 2. Lichens. A cephalodium that is formed on the thallus. Cf. endotroph. ectotropic (Gr. ektós, outside, on the exterior + trépo, to revolve, to turn): something that curves away from its point of origin. Cf. endotropic. ectotunica (Gr. ektós, outside, on the exterior + L. tunica, covering, wrapper): the external layer of a bitunicate ascus. Syn. of exotunica. Cf. endotunica. ectozoic (Gr. ektós, outside + zõon, animal + suf. -íkos > L. -icus > E. -ic, belonging to or relating to): fungi that develop on the exterior of living animals as commensals, symbionts or parasites, as happens, e.g., in the Laboulbeniales. Cf. endozoic. edaphic (Gr. édaphos, soil + suf. -íkos > L. -icus > E. -ic, belonging to or relating to): relating to the soil. edaphosphere (Gr. édaphos, soil + sphaîra, sphere, scope): the area of the soil that is free of any effect produced by the roots of plants, beyond the rhizosphere. The microbial composition of the edaphosphere differs qualitatively and quantitatively from that of the rhizosphere; the latter is generally richer in fungal species, including mycorrhizae. See rhizosphere. edible, esculent (LL. edibilis < L. edere, to eat; L. esculentus, edible, good to eat < esca, food < edere, to eat + suf. -ulentus, that abounds in): edible; not causing damage after being ingested. There are many 180