annelloconidia

Annelloconidia are a type of asexual fungal spore (conidium) produced by specialized conidiophores called annellophores. The defining feature is that conidia are formed in a succession by annellides, and each conidium formation leaves a ring-shaped scar, known as an annellation, on the conidiophore. This annellated conidiogenesis contrasts with phialoconidiogenesis, in which the conidiogenous cell remains the same and no annellar scars are formed. The conidiophore gradually accumulates a series of annellations as conidia are produced and released, giving a characteristic ringed appearance to the producing structure.

Conidia produced in this way are typically unicellular and may be hyaline (clear) to pigmented, with shapes ranging from oval to elongated. The process and morphology can vary among species, and environmental conditions often influence the rate and pattern of conidial production. Many annelloconidial fungi are saprobes, living on soil or decaying plant matter, though some taxa include plant-associated species such as endophytes or pathogens.

Taxonomically, annelloconidia are a useful character in the identification and classification of certain hyphomycete lineages. The producing structures are described as annellophores and annellides, and the term annelloconidia highlights the serial, annellated mode of conidial production. Because the presence and morphology of annelloconidia can aid in distinguishing genera and species, they remain an important feature in fungal taxonomy and microscopy-based diagnostics.