Lichenopeltella uncialicola

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Lichenopeltella uncialicola
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Class: Dothideomycetes
Order: Microthyriales
Family: Microthyriaceae
Genus: Lichenopeltella
Species:
L. uncialicola
Binomial name
Lichenopeltella uncialicola
Brackel (2010)

Lichenopeltella uncialicola is a species of fungus belonging to the class Dothideomycetes. [1] The species was discovered and described from specimens collected in Iceland in 2010, where it was found growing on the fruticose lichen species Cladonia uncialis . [2] Since then, it has been found on a different host species, Cladonia rangiferina , in North Korea, [3] Italy, [4] Austria, [5] and Greenland. [6]

Description

Lichenopeltella uncialicola is a lichenicolous fungus (a fungus that grows on lichens) that species grows specifically on the lichen Cladonia uncialis , primarily on the basal parts of the podetia (the upright stalks of the lichen). [2]

The fungus produces small, dark brown to almost black, disc-shaped reproductive structures called catathecia that measure 40–85  μm in diameter and 35–40 μm in height. These catathecia have a distinctive appearance, with an upper layer composed of radially arranged brown cells and a clearly delimited dark brown collar around the ostiole (opening). The ostiole, measuring 6–8 μm wide when mature and wet, is surrounded by a crown of 5–7 divergent setae (hair-like structures) that are 15–20 μm long and 2.5–3 μm wide. These setae are dark brown, thick-walled, smooth, pointed, non-septate (without dividing walls), and either straight or slightly curved. [2]

Inside the catathecia are ovoid to obclavate (inversely club-shaped) asci (spore-containing structures) measuring 22–26 μm by 8–9.5 μm, each containing four ascospores . The ascospores are ellipsoid, hyaline (colourless and transparent), 1-septate (divided by a single wall), and measure approximately 12–14.3 μm by 3–3.4 μm. They lack setulae (small appendages) and contain four oil droplets (described as 4-guttulate). The upper cell of each ascospore is rounded, while the lower cell is very slightly tapered. [2]

The vegetative portion of the fungus consists of pale brown, sparsely branched hyphae measuring 1.5–3 μm wide that grow inside the cortex (outer layer) of the host lichen. [2]

Lichenopeltella uncialicola is distinguished from other species in the genus by its combination of divergent ostiolar setae, four-spored asci, and ascospores that lack appendages. [2]

References

  1. ↑ "Lichenopeltella uncialicola Brackel". Catalogue of Life . Species 2000: Leiden, the Netherlands. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Brackel, Wolfgang von (2010). "Some Lichenicolous Fungi and Lichens from Iceland, Including Lichenopeltella uncialicola sp. nov". Herzogia. 23 (1): 93–109. Bibcode:2010Herz...23...93B. doi:10.13158/heia.23.1.2010.93.
  3. ↑ Zhurbenko, Mikhail P.; Ohmura, Yoshihito (2019). "New and Interesting Records of Lichenicolous Fungi from the TNS Herbarium: Part I" (PDF). Opuscula Philolichenum. 18: 74–89. doi:10.5962/p.388261.
  4. ↑ Brackel, Wolfgang von (2013). "Miscellaneous Records of Lichenicolous Fungi from the Italian Alps". Herzogia. 26 (1): 141–157. Bibcode:2013Herz...26..141B. doi:10.13158/heia.26.1.2013.141.
  5. ↑ Zimmermann, Erich; Berger, Franz (2018). "Ein Beitrag zur Kenntnis der Lichenicolen Mycobiota Österreichs. Funde aus Tirol I." Herzogia (in German). 31 (1): 732–762. Bibcode:2018Herz...31..732.. doi:10.13158/heia.31.1.2018.732.
  6. ↑ Zhurbenko, M. P.; Pino-Bodas, R. (2017). "A revision of lichenicolous fungi growing on Cladonia, mainly from the Northern Hemisphere, with a worldwide key to the known species". Opuscula Philolichenum. 16: 188–266. doi:10.5962/p.386109. hdl:10261/239679.
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