Gonatophragmium lichenophilum
Gonatophragmium lichenophilum

Growth type lichenicolous hyphomycete
Photographs on Xanthoria parietina

Apparently rare but possibly unnoticed and under-recorded on the thalli and apothecia of Xanthoria parietina in nitrogen-rich communities.

Forms a greenish-brown, brown or yellowish-brown surface (appearing fuzzy or velvety) on the host thallior apothecia with a brown, immersed mycelium. Erect or decumbent conidiophores are hyaline or brownish and produced from swollen hyphal cells. The conidia are subhyaline or pale green-brown, (0-)1(-2) septate, (7-)9-15(-17) x (2.5-)3-4.5 µm. Micrographs below

Similar: Xanthoriicola physciae forms a black 'sooty' layer with brown globose conidia. Cladosporium licheniphilum forms red-brown spiky layer


Gonatophragmium lichenophilum

Micrographs
Gonatophragmium lichenophilum

Gonatophragmium lichenophilum

Gonatophragmium lichenophilum
Gonatophragmium lichenophilum
Photographs: Broadstone, Dorset. November 2023

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