Irish lichens

Arthopyrenia analepta

Family: Trypetheliaceae (Arthopyreniaceae)

Species: Arthopyrenia analepta

Growth type crustose.
Photos: On Birch and Hazel. Co. Cork, SW Ireland.

Inconspicuous thin or evanescent non-lichenised thallus, often brownish on Hazel and Oak. No orange colour when scratched. Large, +/- oval perithecia 0.3-0.6 mm long, the base of the discs surrounded by a dark, flat, halo-like shadow. Pycnidia are sometimes present. Asci cylindrical, spores 1-septate with wide, colourless perispore, 15-23 x 5.5-8 µm, and many of the cells are biguttulate. Involucrellum dark brown, K+ green. Micro photos below.

Occurs on smooth, moderately shaded bark and is often an early coloniser of twigs and small branches. Chemical reations negative.

Similar: A. punctiformis has smaller perithecia, 0.1-0.25mm diam


Arthopyrenia analepta

Arthopyrenia analepta

Arthopyrenia analepta

Microscope photographs
Arthopyrenia analepta

Arthopyrenia analepta
Arthopyrenia analepta September, November 2009 and January 2012

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