''Zwackhiomyces echinulatus'' is a species of lichenicolous (
lichen
A lichen ( , ) is a composite organism that arises from algae or cyanobacteria living among filaments of multiple fungi species in a mutualistic relationship.fungus in the family
Xanthopyreniaceae
Xanthopyreniaceae is a family of lichen-forming fungi in the order Collemopsidiales.
The family was circumscribed by lichenologist Alexander Zahlbruckner
Alexander Zahlbruckner (31 May 1860, Svätý Jur – 1938, Vienna) was an Austrian- H ...
. Thus fungus exclusively colonises the lichen species ''
Physconia distorta
''Physconia'' is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Physciaceae. It has about 25 species. The genus was circumscribed by Czech lichenologist Josef Poelt in 1965, with ''Physconia pulverulenta'' assigned as the type species.
Species
* ...
''. This fungus is notable for specific structural features that distinguish it from other members of its genus, and for its niche habitat found only in particular regions of Sicily, Italy.
Taxonomy
It was dormally described as a new species in 2008 by Wolfgang von Brackel. The etymology of the species name ''echinulatus'' is inspired by the (spiny) ornamentation of its spores, which bears resemblance to those of '' Pronectria echinulata''. The type specimen was found in Sicily, in the
Bosco della Ficuzza
Bosco may refer to:
People Given name Bosco
* Bosco (drag queen) (born 1993), Drag Queen
* Bosco Lin Chi-nan (born 1943), Taiwanese bishop
* Bosco Frontán (born 1984), Uruguayan soccer player
* Bosco Hogan (born 1949), Irish actor
* Bosco Lo ...
region near
Palermo
Palermo ( , ; scn, Palermu , locally also or ) is a city in southern Italy, the capital (political), capital of both the autonomous area, autonomous region of Sicily and the Metropolitan City of Palermo, the city's surrounding metropolitan ...
, growing on the bark of '' Quercus pubescens'' hosting the lichen ''Physconia distorta''.
Description
The fungus possesses that are black, globular structures growing superficially on its host, measuring between 100 and 250 μm in diameter. These structures have walls that are dark brown externally and castaneous brown centrally. The
asci ASCI or Asci may refer to:
* Advertising Standards Council of India
* Asci, the plural of ascus, in fungal anatomy
* Accelerated Strategic Computing Initiative
* American Society for Clinical Investigation
* Argus Sour Crude Index
* Association of ...
, which contain the spores, are cylindrical in shape, typically containing four spores, although instances with six to eight spores have been observed. These spores are
hyaline
A hyaline substance is one with a glassy appearance. The word is derived from el, ὑάλινος, translit=hyálinos, lit=transparent, and el, ὕαλος, translit=hýalos, lit=crystal, glass, label=none.
Histopathology
Hyaline cartilage is ...
(translucent), later turning a pale brownish hue. Their unique feature, which gives the fungus its name, is an echinulate ornamentation. They measure approximately 24.0–27.4
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 ...
in length and 9.3–11.0 μm in width. This fungus is differentiated from others in its genus by the combination of its 4-spored asci and the specific size of its spores.
Habitat and distribution
''Zwackhiomyces echinulatus'' has a very specialised habitat, being found exclusively on the lichen ''Physconia distorta''. This lichen grows on trees such as '' Quercus pubescens'', '' Q. cerris'' and ''
Pyrus amygdaliformis
''Pyrus spinosa'' (syn. ''Pyrus amygdaliformis''), the almond-leaved pear, is a species of flowering plant in the family Rosaceae, native to the northern Mediterranean region. It grows to a height of . It has white flowers which bloom in April ...
'' within mixed coppice forests. The fungus has been recorded in a few locations within Sicily, specifically in the Bosco della Ficuzza near Corleone and between Mistretta and
Nicosia
Nicosia ( ; el, Λευκωσία, Lefkosía ; tr, Lefkoşa ; hy, Նիկոսիա, romanized: ''Nikosia''; Cypriot Arabic: Nikusiya) is the largest city, capital, and seat of government of Cyprus. It is located near the centre of the Mesaor ...
in the
Monti Nebrodi
The Nebrodi ( scn, Munti Nèbbrudi; it, Monti Nebrodi, ; la, Nebrōdēs montēs) is a mountain range that runs along the north east of Sicily. Together with the Madonie and the Peloritani, they form the Sicilian Apennines.
The mountains ru ...
. The presence of this fungus does not seem to harm its lichen host.