This first contribution of a planned series on the morphology of the Ingoldian fungi discusses three aspects useful for conidial identification, something needed principally in stream ecology and biodiversity surveys: (1) types of propagules found; (2) release organ remnants found on propagules; and (3) conidial tails (or caudal appendages).

(1) Propagules can be unexpectedly varied, and difficulty may be encountered in distinguishing, for example, misshapen conidia from expected ranges in conidial form, or in recognizing the outcome of post-release morphogenesis (involving elongation, branching or fragmentation, the latter resulting in part-conidia of several kinds); autonomous hyphal branching systems resembling branched conidia may undergo disorganized in situ fragmentation; propagules may be compound, the components covering more than one generation of the same morph or even more than one morph; conidial aggregations may behave as single dispersal units; and in one case it may be difficult to distinguish between thalli and propagules.

(2) Conidia secede by means of various specialized structures (release organs) which leave behind remnants of diagnostic value. Among ascomycetous anamorphs are scars (half-septa resulting from schizolysis of release septa), basal collars (portions of lateral walls resulting from rhexolysis or fracture of release or separation cells), and in one case mucilaginous masses (probably the result of the gelification of release cells). The location of scars can sometimes only be inferred by means of other diagnostic characters, and in some instances it cannot even be inferred. This may lead to problems in orientating conidial and consequently in their identification. In the case of release cells, the remnants on the conidium frequently disappear or become indistinct. Among basidiomycetous anamorphs are twin scars (the result of paired schizolysis of the two septa, i.e. the axial and bridge septa, in the release clamp), excentric collars (seemingly the result of a combination of schizo- and rhexolysis of clamp components) and basal collars (the outcome of lysed evacuate conidiogenous cells).

(3) The presence of tails is often inconstant, but where recognizable three types occur which may significantly aid in conidial orientation and hence identification.

In addition, three methodological aspects are emphasized: the effect of the position of the conidium on the appreciation of some diagnostic characters, the need to observe spent conidiogenous structures, and in some cases the necessity of directly observing morphogenesis in order to interpret the conidial form.