Konidiosporer

Konidiosporer, also known as conidiospores, are asexual, non-motile spores produced externally on specialized hyphae called conidiophores by many fungi. Unlike sexual spores formed after meiosis within sexual structures, conidiospores arise by mitotic division and are typically released when mature. They are not enclosed in a sac or sporangium, instead appearing as individual cells or in chains, clusters, or heads on the surface of the hyphal stalk.

Conidiospores vary greatly in size, shape, color, and surface ornamentation, and can be single-celled or multicellular. They are often grouped into types based on development, such as phialoconidia (formed from a phialide), annelloconidia, or aleurioconidia, though many fungi produce diverse conidial forms. The morphology of conidia is a key feature used to identify many fungal genera in microbiology and plant pathology.

Dispersal is usually environmental: wind, water splash, or animal vectors can carry conidia over short or long distances, enabling rapid colonization of new substrates. Conidiospores are particularly important for spreading opportunistic pathogens and agricultural plant pathogens, as well as for spoilage of food products and growth of indoor molds. They can be allergenic and may provoke respiratory reactions in susceptible individuals.

Taxonomically, conidiospores are not a formal group but a reproductive strategy present across many fungal lineages, including Ascomycota and some Basidiomycota. In historical classifications, fungi producing predominantly conidiospores were grouped as Deuteromycota; modern taxonomy places them within established phyla once sexual stages are described.