The key difference between anamorph teleomorph and holomorph is that anamorph is the asexual stage of a fungus and teleomorph is the sexual stage of the same fungus, while holomorph is the entire fungus that includes both anamorph and teleomorph.
Mycology is the study of fungi. Fungi are eukaryotic heterotrophic organisms. Yeasts, molds and mushrooms are major types of fungi. Generally, fungi reproduce via asexual reproduction. They produce asexual spores. However, they reproduce sexually as well. The same fungus undergoes sexual and asexual stages in its life cycle. Anamorph is an asexual stage while teleomorph is a sexual stage. In contrast, holomorph refers to the entire fungus, including anamorph and teleomorph.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Anamorph
3. Wha is Teleomorph
4. What is Holomorph
5. Similarities Between Anamorph Teleomorph and Holomorph
6. Side by Side Comparison – Anamorph vs Teleomorph vs Holomorph in Tabular Form
7. Summary
What is an Anamorph?
Many fungi use asexual reproduction as the main mode of reproduction. So, anamorph is the asexual stage in the life cycle of a fungus. Mitosporic fungus is a synonym for anamorph. Especially the phyla of Ascomycota and Basidiomycota show anamorph form. There are many anamorphic species in these two phyla. Moreover, fungus in an anamorphic stage produces spores through mitosis. Spore production occurs inside a conidium or sporangiophore.
Figure 01: Anamorph
Moreover, Deuteromycetes are a family that consists only of anamorphic fungi. Anamorphic fungi are imperfect fungi. They produce asexual spores only.
What is Teleomorph?
Teleomorph is a sexual reproduction stage in the life cycle of a fungus. Meiosporic fungus is a synonym for teleomorph. Teleomorph produces spores or meisospores via meiosis. In addition to meiosis, plasmogamy and karyogamy also take place during the teleomorphic stage of fungi.
Figure 02: Teleomorph
Deuteromycota fungi do not produce teleomorphic stage. But, the morphology of the teleomorph is the basis of classification for Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. Teleomorphic fungi are perfect fungi. They produce both sexual and asexual spores.
What is a Holomorph?
Holomorph refers to the entire fungus, including both anamorph and teleomorph. Therefore, both sexual and asexual stages are present in the holomorph. Holomorph benefits by having both stages since it can face environmental changes successfully. The better-adapting stage will be present based on environmental conditions.
Figure 03: Holomorph
In holomorph, sexual and asexual reproduction may be separated by time and space. Furthermore, phyla Ascomycota and Basidiomycota consist of holomorphic species.
What are the Similarities Between Anamorph Teleomorph and Holomorph?
- Anamorph, teleomorph and holomorph are different stages of fungi.
- Moreover, anamorph and teleomorph are the major components of the holomorph.
- Besides, these stages are seen in fungi Ascomycota and Basidiomycota.
What is the Difference Between Anamorph Teleomorph and Holomorph?
The key difference between anamorph teleomorph and holomorph is that anamorph is the asexual stage of a fungus and teleomorph is the sexual stage of the same fungus, while holomorph is the entire fungus that includes both anamorph and teleomorph.
The following infographic summarizes the difference between anamorph teleomorph and holomorph.
Summary – Anamorph Teleomorph vs Holomorph
Anamorph, teleomorph and holomorph are three terms associated with fungi. Anamorph refers to the asexual stage in the life cycle of a fungus, while teleomorph refers to the sexual stage in the life cycle of a fungus. Holomorph refers to the entire fungus, including both anamorph and teleomorph. So, this is the key difference between anamorph teleomorph and holomorph.