Irish lichens Lichenicolous fungi

Lichenoconium usneae

Family: Abrothallaceae

Species: Lichenoconium usneae

Lichenicolous fungus on Ramalina lacera.
Photos: Kilcolman, Co. Limerick, Ireland.

A lichenicolous coelomycete forming immersed or superficial black pycnidia on/in apothecia or thallus of host, the pycnidia +/- subglobose, (40-)50-80(-110) µm in diameter. Conidia are brown to dark brown, simple, +/- globose and not distinctly truncate at the base, (2.5-)3-4(-5) µm diam. Micrographs below.

Commensalistic to parasitic, and often associated with other lichenicolous fungi on foliose and fruticose lichens including Cladonia, Parmelia, Physcia, Ramalina and Usnea species. Possibly a species complex.

Similar: Lichenoconium erodens. Smaller pycnidia, different hosts


Lichenoconium usneae

Lichenoconium usneae

Micrographs
Lichenoconium usneae

Lichenoconium usneae
Lichenoconium usneae. August 2024

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