Exotospore

/ˌɛksəˈtoʊspoʊr/ noun

Definition

A spore that is external or produced outside; a spore formed on the outside of a sporophore or fungal structure.

Etymology

From Greek exō (outside) + spore from Greek spora (seed). The term describes the location of spore production in certain fungi.

Kelly Says

Fungi have evolved wildly different strategies for spreading their spores—some use exotospores that literally sit on the outside and get blown away, while others explosively launch them from inside!

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