PRODUCTION OF CALCIUM-OXALATE CRYSTALS BY 2 SPECIES OF CYATHUS IN CULTURE AND INFESTED PLANT DEBRIS

Hyphae of Cyathus striatus and C. olla in culture and on infested plan t debris were heavily encrusted with crystals. Scanning electron micro scopy revealed that raphide-and styloid-shaped crystals were associate d with the hyphae of C. olla in canola stubble and in culture. Bipyram idal crystals were also present in culture. Distinct raphide druses de veloped on C. striatus hyphae colonizing wood chips, but in culture mo st crystals were bipyramidal or other shapes. Energy-dispersive X-ray microanalyses, FT/IR spectroscopy, and C-13 NMR spectroscopy determine d that these crystals were calcium oxalate. This is the first report o f calcium oxalate crystal production by these fungi. This characterist ic has implications towards decomposition of organic matter, biominera lization, nutrient cycling, and soil genesis.