Primal thallus
primal thallus (noun, pl. primal thalli) – an undifferentiated mycelium forming the first, purely fungal layer upon which a photobiont-containing thallus may develop, sometimes persistent as prothallus or hypothallus. Comment: The term primal thallus is introduced here to resolve conflicting use of the terms prothallus versus hypothallus by various authors. The prefix pro– means both before (temporarily) as well as in front (spatially). Thus "prothallus" refers to a thallus developing before the establishment of the main thallus as well as along the periphery of the main thallus. The prefix "hypo–" means "below" and would thus refer to a thallus developing under and therefore also before a main thallus. Related terms: prothallus, hypothallus, main thallus, spongiostratum.
This page is part of the LIAS Glossary. It is closely interlinked with the other LIAS projects: LIAS • LIAS light • LIAS names • LIAS gtm. See also Cooperating Websites
Many pages in the LIAS Glossary is in need of further revisions. Please contribute. Criticism as well as collaboration is welcome!
