biostudies-literatureUnknown115(9)Ijadpanahsaravi MAspergilli are among the most abundant fungi worldwide. They degrade organic material and can be pathogens of plants and animals. Aspergilli spread by forming high numbers of conidia. Germination of these stress resistant asexual spores is characterized by a swelling and a germ tube stage. Here, we show that conidia of Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus oryzae, Aspergillus clavatus, Aspergillus nidulans and Aspergillus terreus show different swelling and germ tube formation dynamics in pure water or in water supplemented with (in)organic nutrients. Apart from inter-species heterogeneity, intra-species heterogeneity was observed within spore populations of the aspergilli except for A. terreus. Sub-populations of conidia differing in size and/or contrast showed different swelling and germ tube fAntonie van Leeuwenhoek1151-1164https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9363317biostudies-literatureInter- and intra-species heterogeneity in germination of Aspergillus conidia.PMC9363317Ijadpanahsaravi MTeertstra WRWosten HABfalseInter- and intra-species heterogeneity in germination of Aspergillus conidia.Aspergilli are among the most abundant fungi worldwide. They degrade organic material and can be pathogens of plants and animals. Aspergilli spread by forming high numbers of conidia. Germination of these stress resistant asexual spores is characterized by a swelling and a germ tube stage. Here, we show that conidia of Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus oryzae, Aspergillus clavatus, Aspergillus nidulans and Aspergillus terreus show different swelling and germ tube formation dynamics in pure water or in water supplemented with (in)organic nutrients. Apart from inter-species heterogeneity, intra-species heterogeneity was observed within spore populations of the aspergilli except for A. terreus. Sub-populations of conidia differing in size and/or contrast showed different swelling and germ tube f2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Sep2025-04-05T08:56:17.672Z2025-04-05T08:56:17.672ZS-EPMC93633173585715610.1007/s10482-022-01762-4