Description
Santricharia is a foliicolous (leaf-dwelling) lichen that forms a continuous thallus with a coarsely warted texture. The thallus is often accompanied by numerous black, sterile bristle-like structures ( setae ), giving it a distinctive appearance. A dark brown prothallus , a marginal layer of fungal tissue, is usually present at the edges of the thallus. [4]
The reproductive structures, or apothecia, are either closely attached to the substrate ( adnate ) or slightly raised (broadly sessile ). They belong to the lecideine type, meaning they lack a distinct thalline margin . Both the disc and the proper margin of the apothecia are covered in a thick, dark brown pruina , a powdery or granular coating. The excipulum , the protective layer surrounding the apothecium, consists of a dense, interwoven network of fungal hyphae ( prosoplectenchyma ) and is dark brown in colour. The hypothecium , the supportive tissue beneath the hymenium, shares the same interwoven structure but remains colourless. The epithecium , the uppermost layer of the hymenium, is also dark brown and has a granular texture. [4]
The ascospores are muriform , meaning they are divided by multiple internal walls, creating a structure similar to a brick pattern. In addition to sexual reproduction, Santricharia also produces specialised asexual structures known as hyphophores , which appear as black, bristle-like projections. These structures bear diahyphae , chains of sausage-shaped fungal segments that detach and contribute to asexual reproduction. [4]
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