Lawreya glyphidiphila U. Braun, Common, Diederich & Ertz, in Diederich, Common, Braun, Heuchert, Millanes, Suija & Ertz, Plant and Fungal Systematics 64(2): 261 (2019)
Index Fungorum Number: IF 832000, MycoBank Number: MB 832000, Facesoffungi Number: FoF 11386
Etymology – Growing preferentially on Glyphis.
Diagnosis – Resembling Sclerococcum aptrootii and S. crassitunicatum, but stromatic portions of conidiomata more strongly developed, conidia smaller, (2.7–)3.5–4.5(–5.3) × (2–)2.6–3.5 (–4.5) µm, formed in bulbil-like loculi, and lichenicolous on other hosts, Glyphis scyphulifera and rarely Trypethelium eluteriae.
Type – USA, Florida, Pasco Co., Zephyrhills, Fairlawns Ave. (28.248°N, 82.192°W, alt. 30 m), on Glyphis scyphulifera growing on Lagerstroemia twigs, 29 Jan. 2014, Common 9642 (BR 5030086830654 – holotype; HAL 3277 F, MSC, hb Diederich – isotypes).
Description – Mycelium of sparingly developed hyphae, ~ 3–4 µm wide, septate, subhyaline to pigmented, wall smooth. Conidiomata lichenicolous, scattered to gregarious, occasionally seriate, separate to confluent, immersed to superficial, compact, stromatic, black, subglobose, hemispherical, applanate to irregularly shaped, 0.1–1.2 mm diam.; stromatic cells subcircular to angular-irregular in outline, 3–7 µm diam., brown, wall to 1 µm wide; during maturation, with few or numerous subspherical, almost superficial conidiogenous loculi, giving the upper surface a moriform appearance, covered by bulbil-like structures 30–90 µm diam.; when fully mature, these bulbil-like loculi open irregularly, releasing conidia. Conidiogenous cells not evident, conidia formed from colourless or pale swollen hyphal cells arranged within conidiogenous loculi, 3–6 µm diam. Conidia simple, medium to dark brown, (2.7–)3.5–4.5(–5.3) × (2–)2.6–3.5(–4.5) µm, L/B (1–)1.1–1.5(–2.2) (n = 165), wall 0.2–0.8 µm wide, ± smooth.
Hosts and distribution – Lichenicolous on the thallus of Glyphis scyphulifera, more rarely on Trypethelium eluteriae, not gall-inducing, not causing any visible damage to the hosts. Known only from Florida, where it seems to be very common and abundant.
Additional specimens examined (all on Glyphis scyphulifera, unless otherwise mentioned): USA Florida. Citrus Co.: Chassahowtzka Springs, near boat ramp, 1992, C5489K (MSC). Collier Co.: Everglades City, near Everglades City Motel on FL 29 (25.862°N, 81.386°W), 1997, C7346D (MSC). Hillsborough Co.: Along CR. 581, 3.2 mi. S of junction with I-75, SE of bridge (28.087º N, 82.407º W), 1995, C6625B (MSC); ibid. (28.095°N, 82.399°W), 1996, C6892H (MSC). Pasco Co.: Zephyrhills, Henry Ave. (28.248°N, 82.179°W, alt. 25 m), 2013, C9578A (MSC, hb Diederich); ibid., on Trypethelium eluteriae, C9578B (hb Diederich); ibid., 2015, C9903P (MSC, hb Diederich), C9929B (hb Diederich); ibid., 2009, C9018B (MSC); ibid., 2010, C9052B (MSC); ibid., at intersection of Fort King Rd. and Gall Blvd. (28.249°N, 82.19°W, alt. 35 m), 2015, C9961B (HAL 3278 F, MSC, hb Diederich); ibid., 38439 5th Ave. (28.248°N, 82.186°W, alt. 30 m), 2015, C9902D (MSC, hb Diederich); ibid., C9881 (BR, MSC); ibid., Woodfern Ave., 2012, C9506N (BR, hb Diederich), C9509A (MSC, hb Diederich); ibid., on T. eluteriae, C9510B (MSC, hb Diederich); ibid., at the intersection of US 301 and CR 54 (28.213°N, 82.156°W), 2016, C10000B (BR); ibid., Zephyr Park (28.231°N, 82.186°W), 2016, C10035B (BR, MSC).
Figure 1 – Lawreya glyphidiphila [A–B: C9510B; C–D: holotype]. A – maturating stromata with moriform surface on Trypethelium eluteriae, each ‘bulbil’ representing a conidiogenous loculus; B – the same at higher magnification; C – mature stromata on Glyphis scyphulifera; D – the same at higher magnification, showing irregular openings of mature conidiogenous loculi; note the numerous brown conidia covering the host thallus and the black stromata (on which they are visible through the reflective surface). Scales: A, C = 200 µm; B, D = 50 µm. Photos: P. Diederich.
Figure 2 – Lawreya glyphidiphila [C9510B]. A – section through a young stroma on Trypethelium eluteriae, with young developing (arrows) and mature (arrow heads) conidiogenous loculi, the mature ones producing conidia; B – section through young developing conidiogenous loculus; C – section through immature subspherical conidiogenous loculus; D – immature subspherical conidiogenous loculus broken and opened after pressure on cover glass, showing verruculose ornamentation of outer wall; E – same at a different focus level, showing cells of outer wall and interior cells. Photos A–B in LCB, the others in water. Scales: A = 20 µm; B–E = 10 µm. Photos: R. Common.
Figure 3 – Lawreya glyphidiphila [holotype]. A, B – section through mature stroma, showing subglobose conidiogenous loculi filled with conidia, in water; C – conidia, in water. Scales: A = 20 µm; B–C = 10 µm. Photos: P. Diederich.