False-colour scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a spore-producing sporangium of the fungus Mucor spinosus. Species of this infective fungus may cause zygomycosis (Mucormycosis) & ear infection. Here, the spiny globular structure is a sporangium containing spores and is produced at the end of a fungal hypha (thread). On bursting, spores are released which can grow another fungus. Zygomycosis is a rare fungal infection of the skin, lungs, blood vessels or intestine, occurring after trauma. Mucor may also invade the ear canal causing otomycosis. These fungi, however, are more commonly found in soil, on dung and spoiled food. Magnification: x245 at 6x7cm size.