Biciliopsis leptogiicola Diederich, in Aptroot, Diederich, Se´rusiaux & Sipman, Biblthca Lichenol. 64: 25 (1997)
Isotype: LG 10040
Colonies superficial on the upper surface of lichen, with no conspicuous leaf spots, circular, black. Mycelium superficial, below the ascomata, composed of brown gelatinous, septate, thick-walled hyphae. Sexual morph Ascomata 200–300 μm diameter, 250–300 μm high, black, superficial, gregarious, globose, thick-walled, ostiolate. Ostiole conspicuous, centrally located, with periphyses. Periphyses 14.5–40 μm long, 2–4 μm wide, lining the ostiolar canal, base hyaline, apex brown, septate. Peridium 35–79 μm wide, composed thick-walled, dark brown to black cells of textura globulosa in the outer layers, gradually merging with thick-walled, brown to hyaline cells of textura angularis in the inner layers. Asci 55–150 μm × 8.5–20 μm (x̅ = 103.5 × 14; n = 20), with an ocular chamber, 2-septate, unitunicate, fusiform to claviform, rounded above, narrow below, long-pedicellate, hyaline, smooth, thick-walled, slightly curved. Ascospores hyaline, 30–45 μm long × 10–15 μm wide (x̅ = 35.5 × 13; n = 10), 1 seriate, oblong, smooth, thick-walled, guttulate, with one appendage at both ends, appendage 10–17 μm long × 1–2 μm wide, straight or curved, smooth, unbranched, flexuous, subpolar. Asexual morph Undetermined.
Material examined: PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Simbu Province, Mount Wilhelm, Pindaunde valley, near the hut on the shore of Lake Piunde, on the Leptogium cochleatum, P. Diederich (LG, isotype 10040).
Fig. Biciliopsis leptogiicola (LG, isotype 10040). a, b Herbarium specimen. c, d Appearance of black ascomata on host surface. e, f Vertical section of ascostroma. g Peridium of ascomata. h, i Ostiole with paraphyses. j–m Asci with ascospores note j strained by Meltzer’s reagent. n, o Ascospores. Scale bars c = 500 μm, d = 100 μm, e–f = 100 μm, g = 20 μm, h–i = 10 μm, j–m = 10 μm, n–o = 10 μm.
