Didymocyrtis consimilis
Didymocyrtis consimilis Vain., Acta Soc. Fauna Flora fenn. 49(no. 2): 221 (1921).
Index Fungorum number: IF 247205; Facesoffungi number: FoF 11634, Fig. 1
Description:
Lichenicolous. Sexual morph: Ascomata 110–150 μm diam., 110–129 μm high, perithecioid, subglobose, brown, immersed in the hymenium of the host, with a central ostiole. Peridial wall 15–20 μm comprising brown cells of textura angularis. Hamathecium 2.0–2.5 μm few, comprising cellular pseudoparaphyses, sparsely branched. Asci 45–60 × 8.5–10.9 μm (x̄ = 51.5 × 9.9 µm, n = 10), bitunicate, cylindrical to clavate, (6 –)8-spored with a small ocular chamber, sessile. Ascospores 10.8–12.1 × 4.1–5.2 μm (x̄ = 12.1 × 4.7 µm, n = 10), biseriately arranged in the ascus, ellipsoid to narrowly ellipsoid, the upper end rounded, the lower one attenuated, pale to olivaceous brown, distinctly verruculose, 1-septate, constricted at the septum. Asexual morph: Conidiomata 65–107 μm diam., 90–95 μm high, intermixed with the perithecia in the host hymenium, of the same size and colour. Conidiomatal wall 7.8–9.1 μm comprising 1–2 layers of brown compressed cells of textura angularis, inner layer hyaline and outer layer brown. Conidiogenous cells 2.9–5.9 × 1.9–2.3 μm (x̄ = 2.9 × 2.2 µm, n = 10), lining the pycnidial cavity, ellipsoidal, hyaline, smooth. Conidia 6.5–7.6 × 4.4–5.1 μm (x̄ = 7.1 × 4.6 µm, n = 10), hyaline, smooth, ellipsoid or suborbicular to somewhat irregular, nearly truncate at one end, with one or two big guttules.
Material examined: Europe, Austria, Steiermark (= Styria), Eastern Alps, Northern Limestone Alps, Ennstaler Alpen, Lugauer SW of Hieflau, western summit, surroundings of the summit cross, 47o33’12” N/14o43’20” E, c. 2210 m alt., GF 8454/1, limestone cliffs and patches of Caricetum firmae exposed to NW, on plant remnants and bryophytes, on Caloplaca tiroliensis (Teloschistaceae) (apothecia), 3rd July 2005, Hafellner J. (BR5030102293357).
Fig. 1 Didymocyrtis consimilis (BR5030102293357). (Sexual morph: e–m) a–d Herbarium material and appearance of fungus on the apothecia of Caloplaca tiroliensis (Teloschistaceae). e, f Section through ascostromata. g Peridium. h, i Asci. j–m Ascospores. (Asexual morph: n–p) n Section through conidiomata, o Conidiomatal wall. p Conidiogenesis and conidia. Scale bars: c, d = 1000 μm, e, n = 50 μm, f = 100 μm, g, j–m, o = 10 μm, h, i, p = 20 μm.
Importance and distribution
Didymocyrtis comprises 25 species although Didymocyrtis physciicola has been transferred to Sphaerellothecium. Didymocyrtis is known on a wide range of host such as Banksia sessilis var. cygnorum (Proteaceae), leaves of Brachylaena discolor (Asteraceae), on fallen Castanea (Ramalinaceae), Cladonia sp. (Cladoniaceae), thallus and apothecia of Teloschistes flavicans (Teloschistaceae) and other shrubs, on bark of Acer pseudoplatanus (Parmeliaceae), Physcia adscendens on Fraxinus excelsior (Physciaceae), thallus of Pseudevernia furfuracea (Parmeliaceae), on fallen Salix (Teloschistaceae), thallus of Thamnolia vermicularis (Icmadophilaceae) and many more. It is known from Africa (Canary Islands), Australia (Victoria, Western Australia), Europe (Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Spain), North America (Canada (Québec), the United States), South Africa and South America (Argentina).
References
Ertz D, Diederich P, Lawrey JD, Berger F et al. 2015 – Phylogenetic insights resolve Dacampiaceae (Pleosporales) as polyphyletic: Didymocyrtis (Pleosporales, Phaeosphaeriaceae) with Phoma-like anamorphs resurrected and segregated form Polycoccum (Trypetheliales, Polycoccaceae fam. nov.). Fungal Diversity 74, 53–89.
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