Bathelium
TaxonBathelium
AuthorityAch. (1803)
Type speciesBathelium mastoideum
Type species authorityAfzel. ex Ach. (1803)

Bathelium is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Trypetheliaceae.[1]

Taxonomy

The genus was circumscribed in 1803 by Swedish lichenologist Erik Acharius, with Bathelium mastoideum assigned as the type species.[2]

Description

Genus Bathelium features a thallus (a protective outer layer) usually with olive-green to brownish or greyish hues. This genus is distinguished by the form of its ascomata, the spore-producing structures, which possess apical ostioles (openings at the top). These ascomata can be found either singly or in groups, and often form , a stroma made of both thallus tissue and bits of host tissue. They are noticeable, ranging from to , and show a brown-black colouration, though in rare instances, they may have a whitish (powdery) appearance. This is complemented by a peripheral layer made up of tightly packed cells.[3]

Within the ascomata, the , a tissue layer containing filamentous structures, is clear and hyaline (translucent). It comprises thin, interconnecting filaments known as . The number from one to eight per ascus. They are transversely septate to (divided into compartments by cross walls), with thin septa and more or less angular . These spores are , meaning they have a spindle-like shape, with either acute (pointed) or rounded ends, and are not constricted at the median septum. They appear hyaline, do not react to iodine (IKI−), and are encased in a gelatinous sheath.[3]

No conidiomata (structures responsible for asexual reproduction) have been identified in this genus. In terms of chemical properties, Bathelium frequently contains anthraquinones, compounds often present internally in pseudostromata. Lichexanthone, a fluorescent xanthone compound, is occasionally found within the genus.[3]

Species

References

  1. ^ Wijayawardene, Nalin; Hyde, Kevin; Al-Ani, Laith Khalil Tawfeeq; Somayeh, Dolatabadi; Stadler, Marc; Haelewaters, Danny et al. (2020). "Outline of Fungi and fungus-like taxa". Mycosphere. 11: 1060–1456. doi:10.5943/mycosphere/11/1/8. hdl:10481/61998
  2. ^ Acharius, E. (1803). Methodus qua Omnes Detectos Lichenes Secundum Organa Carpomorpha ad Genera, Species et Varietates Redigere atque Observationibus Illustrare Tentavit Erik Acharius (in Latin). Stockholm: impensis F.D.D. Ulrich. p. 111.
  3. ^ Aptroot, André & Lücking, Robert (2016). "A revisionary synopsis of the Trypetheliaceae (Ascomycota: Trypetheliales)". The Lichenologist. 48 (6): 763–982. doi:10.1017/s0024282916000487
  4. ^ Flakus, Adam; Kukwa, Martin; Aptroot, André (2016). "Trypetheliaceae of Bolivia: an updated checklist with descriptions of twenty-four new species". The Lichenologist. 48 (6): 661–692. doi:10.1017/S0024282915000559
  5. ^ Lücking, Robert; Nelsen, Matthew P.; Aptroot, André; Benatti, Michel Navarro; Binh, Nguyen Quoc; Gueidan, Cecile; Gutiérrez, Martha Cecilia; Jungbluth, Patricia; Lumbsch, H. Thorsten; Marcelli, Marcelo P.; Moncada, Bibiana; Naksuwankul, Khwanruan; Orozco, Thelma; Salazar-Allen, Noris; Upreti, Dalip K. (2016). "A pot-pourri of new species of Trypetheliaceae resulting from molecular phylogenetic studies". The Lichenologist. 48 (6): 639–660. doi:10.1017/S0024282916000475