Fig. 3: Diversity of the life cycles and cell types within Ichthyosporea.

a In Dermocystida species coenocytes produce multiple mononucleated cells (spores), often with vacuoles, and/or zoospores (flagellated cells). A big central vacuole is usually prominent in the coenocytes. In D. percae, nuclei condense and arrange into a mass of reticulated chromatin in growing coenocytes. Coenocytes of D. cyprini form septae that segregate nuclei into groups. b In Ichthyophonida, coenocytes release mononucleated often vacuolated spores or motile amoebas. Some species can form intermediate stages, such as plasmodia (polynucleated ameboid cell) or hyphae. c Eccrinales grow elongated, non-vacuolated coenocytes which shed new cells from one end. Newly released spores can be mono- or polynucleated.