176
andrias, 19
(2012)
genus of basidiomycetes decorticates dead at-
tached branches by rupturing the periderm. Ho-
wever, on some of the recorded hosts of D. trian
gulispora (Salix, Ilex) the presence of Vuilleminia
could not be demonstrated. The fungus appears
to have been overlooked because of its minute
apothecia and its exclusive occurrence on xeric
branches, a habitat which is currently neglected
by collectors. Our collecting activities showed
that such branches carry a vast diversity of little
known ascomycetes.
2 Materials and Methods
2.1 Microscopy
Observations were made with a Zeiss Stan-
dard 14 microscope
with 100× oil immersion
phase contrast achromat objective
, and
a mo-
dified Olympus CH–2 microscope with a Zeiss
100/1.25 oil immersion planachromat objective
and Zeiss Kpl W 16 ×/16 wide field oculars
. All
collections were
examined in tap water, mostly in
the living state (see Baral 1992), after
rehydrating
the branches which were dry when collected. IKI
was added either directly to a water mount, or af-
ter treatment with KOH. The presence of gel was
tested using CRB added to a water mount. CR
SDS
was applied to a mount in KOH. Photographic
images (macro- and microphotos) were obtained
using a Nikon Coolpix E4500 and
a Canon S70
by using different macrolenses
, and all drawings
were done free-hand.
2.2 Cultures and media
Pure cultures were obtained from ascospores
shot on Corn Meal Agar (Sigma-Aldrich, Fluka
analytical #42347). 4g CMA and 12 g Agar-Agar
(Merck #1615) were dissolved in 1l water, which
corresponds to a dilution of 1:4 of the recommen-
ded concentration.The agar plates where incuba-
ted at room temperature.
Illumination with UV-A
(365 nm) for some hours was partly applied.
2.3 Deposition of cultures and dried
specimens
Type material is deposited in the public herba-
ria at Botanische Staatssammlung München (M)
and Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Karlsru-
he (KR), further specimens in the private herba-
ria of the authors (H.B., G.M.). The pure culture
is deposited at Centraalbureau voor Schimmel-
cultures (CBS). A sequence is deposited in Gen-
Bank (JQ688406).
3 Results
Abbreviations
: * = living state, † = dead state.
Relative lipid content: 0 = without lipid bodies (=
LBs), 5 = maximum possible lipid content rela-
tive to ascospore volume. Values in { } indicate
the number of collections that were examined.
IKI
= Lugol’s solution, ~1% I
2
, 2% KI, in H
2
O; KOH
= potassium hydroxide, 5–10%; CR
SDS
= Congo
Red with SDS (
sodium dodecyl sulfate
); CRB =
Brilliant Cresyl Blue, ~1% in H
2
O;
KClO = potas-
sium hypochlorite
.
Deltopyxis triangulispora
B
aral
&
G. M
arson
gen. et sp. nov.
Mycobank
: MB 564441, 564489
Diagnosis generico-specifica
: Apothecia solita-
ria vel gregaria, 0.07-0.35 mm diam, 60-160 µm
alta, sessilia, brunneoatra, orbicularia, superficia-
lia, margine distincta, leniter crenulata. Asci in sta-
tu vivo 30-50 × 10-13 µm, clavato-fusoidei, apice
late rotundati, tenuitunicati, inamyloidei (IKI), 64-
spori, saepe non stipitati, e uncis nati. Ascosporae
in statu vivo 2.5-4 × 2-3 µm, triangulares, guttulis
oleagineis 1-4 praeditae. Paraphyses rectae, non
ramosae, dense septatae, in statu vivo 1.5-2.8
µm latae, apice clavatae vel capitatae, 2-3.3 µm
latae, cellulae terminales 2.3-7 µm longae, ex-
sudato granulato, intense flavo‑brunneo tectae.
Excipulum ectale e textura prismatica‑angulare,
10-95 µm altum, cellulae 5-17 × 3-9 µm, angulo
arduo orientatae, multi- ad eguttulatae, gelatina
intercellularis pallide ochracea, extus exsuda-
to crasso, obscure rubrobrunneo vel (olivaceo-)
brunneo tectum, in solutione KOH non dissoluto,
excipulum marginem versus 15-30 µm crassum,
textura prismatica-globulosa. Habitat ad corticem
vel lignum ramulorum durorum siccorum Coryli,
Crataegi, Ilicis, Pruni vel Salicis, in societate vel
supra basidiomata Vuilleminiae et algas.
Holotypus
: Luxembourg, Dudelange, Därebësch,
24.XII.1991, in Vuilleminia senescente ad corti-
cem ramuli sicci Crataegi, Guy Marson, holotypus
in M-0190818 (ex H.B. 4576a) isotypus G.M.
4668.
Etymology
: named after the triangular, in dorsal
view deltoid ascospores and the resemblance
with the genus Phaeopyxis.
Apothecia
rehydrated (0.07-)0.1-0.28(-0.35) mm
diam {8}, 60-160 µm thick {7}, scattered to gregar-
ious, singly or crowded in small groups, sessile or
