Kretzschmaria micropus (Fr.: Fr.) Sacc.

TELEOMORPH | CULTURES AND ANAMORPH | SPECIMENS EXAMINED | NOTES

NOTES

Ascospore morphology is much like that of K. cetrarioides. Dennis (1957) considered Kretzschmaria spinifera to be a synonym of K. micropus. Kretzschmaria spinifera was described with compressed ascospores, 25-35 x 10-12 x 6-8 mm (Ellis and Everhart, 1896). The type at NY, however, is composed of two different elements. They have similar gross morphologies, but differ in ascospore size ranges and orientations of germ slits. The element with smaller ascospores and a straight ascospore germ slit fits well the protologue of K. spinifera. We thus agree with Dennis (1957) in treating K. spinifera as a synonym of K. micropus, and select the part of the original material as lectotype. The element with larger ascospores and a sigmoid to spiral germ slit is described elsewhere herein as new (see K. curvirima).

Hypoxylon cyclopicum Speg. [BRAZIL: Apiahy, Puiggari 2374, microscope slide of C. L. Shear (BPI-CLS, TYPE); São Paulo, 5.IV.1947, Fogg, H., wood, as Kretzschmaria spinifera (GZU-Petrak). GABON: N of Libreville, Forêt La Monclah, VI.1979, Gilles 88, sent by Candoussau, F., wood (JDR). GRENADA: 1912-1913, Thaxter, R., wood (JDR). TRINIDAD: Port of Spain, Emperor Valley, 1912-1913, Thaxter, R. 6936, wood, as Hypoxylon cyclopicum by Miller, J. H. (JDR, ex FH). U.S.A.: Hawaiian Islands, Hawaii, 14.II.1992, Ko, W 273F, wood of Macadamia (JDR).] appears to be closely related to, if not conspecific with, K. micropus. They share most of the characteristics except that H. cyclopicum has larger perithecia, 2-3.5 mm diam, and are usually sessile. It is probable that H. cyclopicum and K. micropus represent variants of the same species.

Petch (1924) gives a good account of the gross aspects of development. He discusses the Stilbum-like conidial state and remarks that it is doubtfully distinct from K. cetrarioides. We consider K. micropus to be distinct from K. cetrarioides. The synnematal anamorphs indicate their affinities with Stilbohypoxylon and, indeed, they could probably be accommodated in that genus.