Zoospores of six species of Phytophthora, two species of Pythium, Sapr
olegnia diclina and Peronophythora litchii were examined to resolve th
e orientation, extent, and possible connection of the anterior roots o
f the flagellar apparatus. The anterior ribbed root (R1) extends from
the right side of the kinetosome to the anterior end of the cell where
it arches to the left, and extends back towards the center of the cel
l. The anterior doublet root (R2) extends from the left side of the ki
netosome and runs under the cell membrane on either the left or right
side of the flagellar groove. The two roots are separate. From some an
gles they appear to overlap, but they do not connect. The zoospore of
P. litchii, not previously studied in the transmission electron micros
cope, is cytologically similar to other zoospores in the Pythiaceae an
d Peronosporaceae.