Which fungal spore is characteristic of basidiomycetes?

Basidiospores are the defining spores of the basidiomycetes, a large group of fungi that includes mushrooms, puffballs, and shelf fungi. These spores are produced on specialized structures called basidia, which are typically found on the gills or pores of fruiting bodies (like mushrooms). During reproduction, basidia undergo meiosis to produce four basidiospores, which are then discharged into the environment to germinate and form new fungal colonies. This process is crucial for the lifecycle of basidiomycetes, allowing them to disperse and colonize new substrates.

In contrast, ascospores are produced by ascomycetes, not basidiomycetes, and are associated with structures called asci. Chlamydospores, which are thick-walled resting spores, can be produced by various fungi for survival but do not define the reproductive strategy of basidiomycetes. Conidiospores are asexual spores produced by many fungi, including some basidiomycetes, but they are not their defining feature. Therefore, the characteristic spore of basidiomycetes is indeed the basidiospore.