Licea deplanata Kowalski, Madroño

Basanta, Diana Wrigley De, Mier, Carlos De & Lado, Carlos, 2023, A taxonomic revision of the species of Licea subg. Licea (Myxomycetes), Phytotaxa 629 (2), pp. 95-128 : 108

10. Licea deplanata Kowalski, Madroño 21(7): 455 (1972)

[Nom. nov., based on L. applanata Kowalski, Mycologia 62(5): 1058 (1970), non L. applanata Berk., 1845 ]

Sporophores sporocarpic, scattered, sessile. Sporocarps extremely depressed, 0.1–0.3 (–0.5) mm diam., dark brown to purplish to almost black with distinct ridges. Peridium single, thick, brittle, dehiscence usually whole peridium as a cap, rarely into lobes along 3–6 distinct glossy ridges; peridial platelet margins with rows of small papillae. Spores free, shiny golden brown in mass, very pale yellow by TL, with a paler area, globose, 11–13 μm diam., smooth.

Type: DTK 10000 .

Habitat: on decayed leaves, especially those of Eucalyptus sp. , also on bark of trees.

Distribution: Germany, Spain, USA, Mexico, Peru, Argentina.

Icon: Kowalski (1970: 1058, Figs. 1–3 ), Lado & Pando (1997: 117, Figs. 29a–b), Wrigley de Basanta (1988: 7, Figs. 3-4 ), Flatau (2000: 67, Fig 2 A – C ).

Notes. This species has flattened sporocarps that are almost flush with the substrate. We were unable to study the type material, which was requested, but not sent. However the original description ( Kowalski 1972) is detailed and well-illustrated, and we base our comments on that in order to compare it with the other species.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Licea alpina. A–F (AH 28531, Holotype).A. Herbarium boxes and slides. B–D. Stalked and subsessile sporocarps. E. Spores and peridial platelets by TL. F. Spores by TL. Scale bars: B–D = 0.1 mm, E–F = 10 µm.

FIGURE 2. Licea ampulliformis. A–H, K–M (dwb 1988, MA-Fungi 98835, Holotype), I–J (dwb 2535).A. Herbarium box. B–D. Sessile sporocarps. E. Spores and peridial platelets by TL showing clear margins to the platelets (arrows). F–H. Spores by TL. I. detail of platelet margin showing clear area by SEM (arrow). J. Inner surface of a platelet showing warted surface. K–L Detail of open sporocarp showing platelets and spore by SEM. M. Spores by SEM. Scale bars: B–D = 0.1 mm, E = 20 µm, F–H, L = 10 µm, I–J, M = 5 µm, K = 50 µm.

FIGURE 3. Licea aurea. A–G. (dwb 3815, MA-Fungi 91750, Holotype), H–J. (dwb 3533). A. Herbarium box. B–D. Sporocarps. E. Whole sporocarp and spores by TL. F. Fragment of the inner surface of the peridium and spores. G. Spores by TL with thick walls and thinner germination area. H. Whole open sporocarp showing spores by SEM. I. Group of spores by SEM. J. Spore by SEM. Scale bars: B–D = 0.1 mm, E–G, I = 10 µm, H = 50 µm, J = 5 µm.

FIGURE 4. Licea belmontiana. A–J (NENB-5879, BR-MYC 5020057898868, Holotype). A. Herbarium box. B–C. Sessile sporocarps. D. Peridial platelets by TL. E. Spores by TL. F. Dehisced sporocarp by SEM. G–H. Peridial platelets by SEM showing margins without outgrowths (arrows). I–J. Warted spores by SEM. Scale bars: B–C = 0.1 mm, D–G = 10 µm, H–J = 5 µm.