''Naematelia aurantia'' (synonym ''Tremella aurantia'') is a

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

fungus A fungus ( : fungi or funguses) is any member of the group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, separately from th ...

producing yellow, frondose, gelatinous basidiocarps (fruit bodies). It is widespread in north

temperate In geography, the temperate climates of Earth occur in the middle latitudes (23.5° to 66.5° N/S of Equator), which span between the tropics and the polar regions of Earth. These zones generally have wider temperature ranges throughout t ...

regions and is parasitic on another species of fungus ('' Stereum hirsutum'') that grows on dead attached and recently fallen branches of broadleaf trees. It is commonly called golden ear in North America.

Taxonomy

''Tremella aurantia'' was first published in 1822 by German-American

mycologist Mycology is the branch of biology concerned with the study of fungus, fungi, including their genetics, genetic and biochemistry, biochemical properties, their Taxonomy (biology), taxonomy and ethnomycology, their use to humans, including as a so ...

Lewis David de Schweinitz, based on collections from

North Carolina North Carolina () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States. The state is the 28th largest and 9th-most populous of the United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Georgia and So ...

. In 1921, the species was transferred to ''

Naematelia ''Naematelia'' is a genus of fungi in the family Naemateliaceae. All ''Naematelia'' species are parasites of other fungi (''Stereum'' species) and produce anamorphic yeast states. Basidiocarps (fruit bodies), when produced, are gelatinous and ar ...

'' by

Edward Angus Burt Edward Angus Burt (April 9, 1859 – April 27, 1939) was an American mycologist and an authority on the resupinate (flat on the substrate) fungus family Thelephoraceae.Farlow Herbarium, Harvard UniversityFarlow Herbarium/ref> He received his M.A. ...

, but remained better known as ''Tremella aurantia'' until

molecular A molecule is a group of two or more atoms held together by attractive forces known as chemical bonds; depending on context, the term may or may not include ions which satisfy this criterion. In quantum physics, organic chemistry, and bioche ...

research, based on cladistic analysis of DNA sequences, showed that ''Naematelia'' was a distinct

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

. The

epithet An epithet (, ), also byname, is a descriptive term (word or phrase) known for accompanying or occurring in place of a name and having entered common usage. It has various shades of meaning when applied to seemingly real or fictitious people, di ...

''aurantia'' means "golden".

Description

Fruit bodies are gelatinous, bright yellow, up to 15 cm (6 in) across, and lobed to frondose (like seaweed). Microscopically, the

hyphae A hypha (; ) is a long, branching, filamentous structure of a fungus, oomycete, or actinobacterium. In most fungi, hyphae are the main mode of vegetative growth, and are collectively called a mycelium. Structure A hypha consists of one or ...

are clamped and occur within a dense gelatinous matrix. Haustorial cells arise on the hyphae, producing filaments that attach to and penetrate the unclamped hyphae of the host. The basidia are tremelloid (spherical to ellipsoid, with oblique to vertical

septa The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is a regional public transportation authority that operates bus, rapid transit, commuter rail, light rail, and electric trolleybus services for nearly 4 million people in five coun ...

), 13–14 by 9–13

μm The micrometre ( international spelling as used by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures; SI symbol: μm) or micrometer (American spelling), also commonly known as a micron, is a unit of length in the International System of Unit ...

, sometimes stalked. The

basidiospores A basidiospore is a reproductive spore produced by Basidiomycete fungi, a grouping that includes mushrooms, shelf fungi, rusts, and smuts. Basidiospores typically each contain one haploid nucleus that is the product of meiosis, and they are pro ...

are subglobose to ellipsoid, smooth, 5.5–9.5 by 4.5–7.5 μm, and germinate by hyphal tube or by

yeast Yeasts are eukaryotic, single-celled microorganisms classified as members of the fungus kingdom. The first yeast originated hundreds of millions of years ago, and at least 1,500 species are currently recognized. They are estimated to constitut ...

cells.

Similar species

'' Naematelia aurantialba'' is a very similar species cultivated for food and medicine in China. It was only described in 1990 and differs largely in microscopic details. '' Tremella mesenterica'' is a widespread, north temperate fungus that also has bright yellow, gelatinous fruit bodies, but parasitizes the mycelium of '' Peniophora'' species, often on dead attached twigs. It can be also separated by microscopy, N. aurantia has smaller spores and basidia. Dacrymyces chrysospermus is almost a macroscopically identical fungus, but belongs to the class Dacrymycetes and can be separated by its growth on

conifer Conifers are a group of conifer cone, cone-bearing Spermatophyte, seed plants, a subset of gymnosperms. Scientifically, they make up the phylum, division Pinophyta (), also known as Coniferophyta () or Coniferae. The division contains a single ...

and its differently shaped spores and basidia.

Habitat and distribution

''Naematelia aurantia'' is a parasite of '' Stereum hirsutum'', growing on and often completely enveloping host basidiocarps. Following its host, fruit bodies are typically found on dead, attached or recently fallen branches of broadleaf trees. The species has a mainly north temperate distribution and is known throughout North & South America, Europe, and northern Asia.

References

Tremellomycetes Fungi of Asia Fungi of Europe Fungi of North America Fungi of South America Fungi described in 1822 Taxa named by Lewis David de Schweinitz Fungus species {{Basidiomycota-stub