We document here for the first time ultrastructural details of the cellular interaction of Asteridiella callista and its host Stachytarpheta mutabilis var. violacea from Costa Rica. A. callista attaches to the host with appressoria, invades the epidermal cell wall and forms an apoplastic complex cisternal net, presumably for nutrient uptake from its host. This unique structure, called an interaction apparatus (Ia), consists of cisternae surrounded by a membrane continuous with the fungal cytoplasmic membrane. Subsequently the apoplastic trunk of the Ia extends into the host epidermal cell wall and contacts the host cytoplasmic membrane. Electron-opaque material, probably of fungal origin appears at the host cytoplasmic membrane. Finally these electron-opaque deposits are encased by host material. Functional and systematical aspects of this interaction scenario are discussed.
Keywords: Costa Rica; Stachytarpheta mutabilis var. violacea; Verbenaceae; appressorium; cellular interaction; cisternal tubules; concentric bodies.