At a stage of their cycle, Ascomycetes fungi produce the fruiting bodies like apothecium, perithecium and cleistothecium. How are these three types of fruiting bodies different from each
Other?
The fruiting bodies of Ascomycetes are called ascocarps. A fertile layer called hymenium bears asci. These fruiting bodies are different than each other in following ways
(i) Cleistothecmm Closed ascocarp, i.e., ascocarp with no opening.
(ii) Perithecium Flask-Shaped ascocarp with an apical pore.
(iii) Apothecium Cup-shaped open ascocarp.