Euphoriomyces enghoffii Santam., 2021

Santamaria, Sergi & Pedersen, Jan, 2021, Laboulbeniomycetes (Fungi, Ascomycota) of Denmark, European Journal of Taxonomy 781, pp. 1-425 : 54-57

Euphoriomyces enghoffii Santam. sp. nov.

MB#840600

Fig. 8B–F

Diagnosis

Similar to E. liodivorus (Huggert) I.I.Tav. , but differing by the darkish brown appendages, especially the primary appendage which, moreover, is very elongated.

Etymology

Named after the Danish scientist Henrik Enghoff, who studies millipedes and its fungi and has also actively collaborated so that this project could be carried out.

Type material

Holotype DENMARK – Nordøstsjaelland (NEZ) • Malmmosevej ; 55°47.974′ N, 12°26.512′ E; UB38; on Leiodes rugosa Stephens, 1829 (Col. Leiodidae ); 22 Oct. 1916; A. West DrY0076; A. West det.; ZMUC C-F-124142 .

Paratypes DENMARK – Fyn (F) • Svendborg ; 55°3.943′ N, 10°37.118′ E; PG00; on L. rugosa ; 10 Oct. 1935; Christiani Dry0078; Christiani det.; ZMUC C-F-124144 . – Nordøstsjaelland (NEZ) • Rude Skov ; 55°49.861′ N, 12°28.241′ E; UB49; on Leiodes calcarata Erichson, 1845 (Col. Leiodidae ); 25 Jun. 1911; A. West Dry0093; A. West det.; ZMUC C-F-124159 • Holte ; 55°48.802′ N, 12°28.125′ E; UB48; on L. rugosa ; 1 Oct. 1916; V. Hansen Dry0075; V. Hansen det.; ZMUC C-F-124141 • Sanddalen ; 55°51.080′ N, 12°30.727′ E; UB49; on L. rugosa ; 14 Oct. 1917; A. West Dry0077; A. West det.; ZMUC C-F-124143 .

Description

Thallus hyaline, except for the blackened foot and brown appendages. Receptacle axis consisting of (7–)9(–11) superposed cells which are broader than long, those of the basal area being especially flattened, cells gradually elongated towards the distal region. Basal cell of the receptacle (I) longer than broad, tapering towards the foot. Most cells of the receptacle, except the 2–4 lower ones, dividing obliquely at one or both sides into one to more cells to form perithecia, secondary appendages, or antheridia ( Fig. 8D , an). These lateral cells remain in contact with cells above and below in such a way that the whole thallus gives the impression of a unilayered sheet.

Primary appendage unbranched, entirely dark brown, continuing the main receptacle axis, consisting of rather elongated and apparently rigid cells (this can be verified with the manipulation that we do with a needle to detach the thallus from the host cuticle) ( Fig. 8B–E , pa). The uppermost receptacular axis consists of two superposed cells which form a peduncle for the primary appendage ( Fig. 8B , *) below the primary septum ( Fig. 8B, D, a ), and sometimes bear some additional secondary branches which grow upwards parallel to the primary appendage ( Fig. 8D , sa).

Perithecial stalk cell (VI) inconspicuous, subtriangular ( Fig. 8C , VI). Perithecia symmetrical, ovoidal, broadest near the middle height, then gradually tapering towards an indistinct neck and a blunt apex; 1–6 per thallus, unilaterally arranged.

Length from foot to apex of uppermost perithecium (86–)100–149(–190) µm. Perithecium (37–)48– 74(–94) × (19–)22–31(–38) µm. Length of primary appendage from primary septum (when undamaged) 158–233 µm.

Thalli were found mostly on elytra but also on other body parts of the hosts. Nothing is known about the collecting circumstances of the hosts.

Remarks

EuphoriomYces enghoffii sp. nov. is similar to E. liodivorus , from which it could easily be distinguished at first sight by the darkish brown appendages, and especially for the primary appendage which, if unbroken, may be very long (up to three times as long as the thallus from foot to uppermost perithecium) ( Fig. 8B–E , pa). The thallial appearance may vary substantially according to maturity and position on the host body. Thalli bearing only a single mature perithecium (but with some initials below) could be considered mostly typical ( Fig. 8B–C ) and have been found on elytra apices.

Overmature damaged thalli, with broken appendages, may be difficult to separate from E. liodivorus . Nevertheless, in these circumstances, the brown basis of appendages can help to distinguish them ( Fig. 8F , arrows). The precise arrangement of cells explained by Santamaria (2003: 266) for E. liodivorus also applies to E. enghoffii .

Figures

Fig. 8. Euphoriomyces spp. A. E. agathidii (Maire) I.I.Tav. Paired mature thalli. – B–F. E. enghoffii Santam. sp. nov. B. The peduncle of primary appendage is labelled (*). F. Brown basis of appendages are pointed with arrows. Abbreviations: a = primary septum; a = antheridia; pa = primary appendage; sa = secondary appendage; VI = cell VI. Scale bars: 50 µm. Photographs from slides ZMUC C-F-124241 (A), ZMUC C-F-124142 (holotype) (B–C), and ZMUC C-F-124143 (D–F).