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Abstract: Of the morphological characteristics used in the taxonomie classification of the genus Agaricus, spore dimensions are used as an objective measurement in differentiating species. Work at HRI and elsewhere is now re-examining the taxonomy of the genus, using molecular techniques and inter-fertility tests. However, spore measurements remain an important criterion in the identification of isolates. A simple preparation technique for spore measurements using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) is described. Spore measurements of either wild collections or compost cultivated sporophores of the following Agaricus species were made: A. arvensis, A. augustus, A. bisporus, A. essettei, A. maleolens, A. nivescens, A. placomyces, A. subfloccosus and A. sylvicola. Measurements using an SEM were closely and linearly conelated (r2=0.97) with measurements using light microscopy. There were significant differences in spore size and shape, both between species and among isolates within a species. The SEM offers a rapid and easy altemative to light microscopy for accurate spore measurement.
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