Volatile Sexual Hormones in Mucor mucedo

SUMMARY: A special technique permitted observation of sexual reactions between mycelia of Mucor mucedo without diffusion contact via the substrate. Morphogenetic phenomena (zygophore formation) appeared to be induced by volatile substances in a sex-specific way. Zygophores, induced via the air, showed chemotropic activity. The volatile stimuli were partly purified by thin-layer chromatography and appeared to have the same R F values as precursors of trisporic acids. Trisporic acids are currently assumed to be responsible for the induction of zygophore formation via the substrate.