# Nidularia

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For a synonym of a genus of slime molds, see [Craterium](/source/Craterium).

For the insect genus, see [Nidularia (insect)](/source/Nidularia_(insect)).

***Nidularia*** is a [genus](/source/Genus) of nine species of [fungi](/source/Fungi) in the [family](/source/Family_(taxonomy)) [Agaricaceae](/source/Agaricaceae). Their [fruit bodies](/source/Sporocarp_(fungi)) resemble tiny egg-filled bird nests. The name comes from the [Latin](/source/Latin) *nidus* meaning *nest*. The related genus *[Mycocalia](/source/Mycocalia)* was segregated from *Nidularia* in 1961 based on differences in the microscopic structure of the [peridium](/source/Peridium).

## Taxonomy

The name *Nidularia* first appeared in the scientific literature in 1790 when [Pierre Bulliard](/source/Pierre_Bulliard) published *N. vernicosa* and *N. laevis*. This name, however, was not [validly published](/source/Validly_published_name), as it predated the starting point for naming of [gasteroid fungi](/source/Gasteroid_fungi) (1801), and it lacked a generic description.[1] [Jean Bulliard](/source/Jean_Baptiste_Fran%C3%A7ois_Pierre_Bulliard) gave a generic description in 1791 when he added *N. striata*. *N. striata* and *N. vernicosa* are now placed in *[Cyathus](/source/Cyathus)*, while *N. laevis* is in *[Crucibulum](/source/Crucibulum_(fungus))*.[2] Bulliard's concept of *Nidularia* is [synonymous](/source/Synonyms_(taxonomy)) with *Cyathus*.[1]

*Nidularia* was again [circumscribed](/source/Circumscription_(taxonomy)) in 1817 by Swedish mycologist [Elias Magnus Fries](/source/Elias_Magnus_Fries) and his student Johann Nordholm. *N. radicata*, *N. confluens*, *N. deformis*, and *N. denudata*.[3] *Nidularia farcta* was given as the [type species](/source/Type_species); today both this taxon as well as *N. radicata* are thought to be synonymous with *[Nidularia deformis](/source/Nidularia_deformis)*. *N. denudata* is now the type species of a related genus, *[Mycocalia](/source/Mycocalia)*. *Granularia*, a genus erected by [Albrecht Wilhelm Roth](/source/Albrecht_Wilhelm_Roth) in 1791 to contain *Granularia pisiformis* (now *Nidularia deformis*), is synonymous with *Nidularia*.[4]

In 1961, J.T. Palmer separated *Nidularia* [section](/source/Section_(botany)) *Sorosia* as a distinct genus, *[Mycocalia](/source/Mycocalia)*, combining *Nidularia denudata*, *N. castanea*, *N. fusispora*, and *N. reticulata*, and adding the new species *[Mycocalia minutissima](/source/Mycocalia_minutissima)*. In these species, the peridium comprises [hyaline](/source/Hyaline), branched, septate hyphae with clamp connections. In contrast, the peridium of *Nidularia* have tinted, rigid, spiny, aseptate hyphae that continue into long threads. The peridium of *Mycocalia* species is thin, white and short-lasting, while in *Nidularia* it is somewhat darker in color and more robust.[2]

Formerly classified in the family [Nidulariaceae](/source/Nidulariaceae), along with other bird's nest fungi genera (*[Cyathus](/source/Cyathus)*, *[Crucibulum](/source/Crucibulum_(fungus))*, *[Nidula](/source/Nidula)*, and *Mycocalia*), [molecular phylogenetic](/source/Molecular_phylogenetic) analysis has shown that these fungi belong in the family [Agaricaceae](/source/Agaricaceae).[5]

### Species

As of January 2016, [Index Fungorum](/source/Index_Fungorum) accepts nine species in the genus *Nidularia*:[6]

- *[Nidularia bonaerensis](/source/Nidularia_bonaerensis)* Speg. 1880[7]
- *[Nidularia campoi](/source/Nidularia_campoi)* Speg. 1921 – South America[8]
- *[Nidularia castanea](/source/Nidularia_castanea)* (Ellis & Everh. ex V.S.White) Sacc. & D.Sacc. 1905[9]
- *[Nidularia deformis](/source/Nidularia_deformis)* (Willd.) Fr. 1817
- *[Nidularia griseolazulina](/source/Nidularia_griseolazulina)* Lindsey & Gilb. 1975 – United States[10]
- *[Nidularia heribaudii](/source/Nidularia_heribaudii)* Har. & Pat. 1904
- *[Nidularia heterospora](/source/Nidularia_heterospora)* Sosin 1960
- *[Nidularia microspora](/source/Nidularia_microspora)* Velen. 1939
- *[Nidularia pulvinata](/source/Nidularia_pulvinata)* (Schwein.) Fr. 1823

## Description

Fruit bodies of species in this genus grow together in large groups, and have dimensions that are typically 0.5–6 mm in diameter by 0.5–3 mm tall. They may be somewhat irregular in shape, or have a well-formed cup that is thin and fragile. The [peridium](/source/Peridium) has a [tomentose](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/tomentose) surface composed of irregular, spiny [hyphae](/source/Hypha) over a more compact wall that later breaks down to expose may brown peridioles within.[11] Unlike other bird's-nest genera formerly classified in the family [Nidulariaceae](/source/Nidulariaceae), the peridioles of the *Nidularia* are not connected to the fruit body by a funicular cord, but rather lay clumped together in a gelatinous matrix.[11] There may be over 100 peridioles embedded in the matrix. In *Nidularia pulvinata*, they have an average size of 1.1 mm diameter by 0.5 mm thickness, with an average mass of 0.2 grams. This species has an estimated 7 million spores per peridiole.[12]

[Spores](/source/Spore) are roughly elliptical in shape, [hyaline](/source/Hyaline), and usually with dimensions of 5–10.5 by 4–5.5 [μm](/source/Micrometre).[11] *[Nidularia griseolazulina](/source/Nidularia_griseolazulina)*, however, has larger spores than typical, measuring 14–18 by 10–14 μm.[10]

## Habitat and distribution

*Nidularia* species are [saprophytic](/source/Saprophytic), and grow on rotting wood. The thin, fragile peridium is ruptured by falling raindrops, after which the impact of additional raindrops spreads the internal matrix and dislodges the peridioles within. The splash mechanism of *Nidularia pulvinata* discharges peridioles horizontally at speeds ranging from 0.3 to 3.0 meters per second, with ejection distances averaging 8 mm (0.3 in).[12]

## See also

- [List of Agaricales genera](/source/List_of_Agaricales_genera)
- [List of Agaricaceae genera](/source/List_of_Agaricaceae_genera)

## References

1. ["Record Details: *Nidularia* Bull."](http://www.indexfungorum.org/Names/NamesRecord.asp?RecordID=19236). Index Fungorum. CAB International. Retrieved 2016-01-16.

1. Palmer JT. (1961). "Observations on Gasteromycetes. IX. The conservation of *Nidularia* Fr. and the separation of *Mycocalia* JT Palmer, gen. nov.". *Taxon*. **10** (2): 54–60. [doi:10.2307/1217453](https://doi.org/10.2307/1217453). [JSTOR 1217453](https://www.jstor.org/stable/1217453)

1. Fries EM, Nordholm J (1817). [*Symbolae Gasteromycorumad illustrandam floram*](http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k977086/f4.image) (in Latin). Vol. 1. Lundin, Sweden. p. 2.

1. ["Record Details:*Grannularia* Roth"](http://www.indexfungorum.org/Names/NamesRecord.asp?RecordID=19147). Index Fungorum. CAB International. Retrieved 2016-01-14.

1. Matheny PB, Curtis JM, Hofstetter V, Aime MC, Moncalvo JM, Ge ZW, Slot JC, Ammirati JF, Baroni TJ, Bougher NL, Hughes KW, Lodge DJ, Kerrigan RW, Seidl MT, Aanen DK, DeNitis M, Daniele GM, Desjardin DE, Kropp BR, Norvell LL, Parker A, Vellinga EC, Vilgalys R, Hibbett DS (2006). ["Major clades of Agaricales: A multilocus phylogenetic overview"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160303170605/http://www.clarku.edu/faculty/dhibbett/Reprints%20PDFs/Mathenyetal_Agaricales_2006.pdf). *Mycologia*. **98** (6): 982–995. [doi:10.3852/mycologia.98.6.982](https://doi.org/10.3852/mycologia.98.6.982). [PMID 17486974](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17486974). Archived from [the original](http://www.clarku.edu/faculty/dhibbett/Reprints%20PDFs/Mathenyetal_Agaricales_2006.pdf) on 2016-03-03.

1. Kirk PM. ["Species Fungorum (version 23rd December 2015). In: Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life"](https://web.archive.org/web/20200102052518/http://www.catalogueoflife.org/col/browse/tree/id/5610a632ce572ffab8430d49be8df046). Archived from [the original](http://www.catalogueoflife.org/col/browse/tree/id/5610a632ce572ffab8430d49be8df046) on 2020-01-02. Retrieved 2016-01-14.

1. Spegazzini C. (1880). "Fungi argentini. Pugillus tertius (Continuacion)" (in Spanish). *Anales de la Sociedad Científica Argentina*. **10** (3): 145–188.

1. Spegazzini C. (1921). "Mycetes chilenses" (in Spanish). *Boletín de la Academia Nacional de Ciencias en Córdoba*. **25**: 31.

1. Saccardo PA, Saccardo D (1905). *Supplementum universale. Pars VI. Hymenomycetae-Laboulbeniomycetae* (in Latin). Vol. 17. Sylloge Fungorum. p. 216.

1. Lindsey JP, Gilbertson RL (1975). ["Wood-inhabiting Homobasidiomycetes on Saguaro in Arizona"](http://www.cybertruffle.org.uk/cyberliber/59575/0002/001/0099.htm). *Mycotaxon*. **2** (1): 83–103 (see pp. 99–100)

1. Miller HR, Miller OK Jr (1988). *Gasteromycetes: Morphological and Developmental Features, with Keys to the Orders, Families, and Genera*. Eureka, California: Mad River Press. p. 71. ISBN 0-916422-74-7.

1. Hassett MO, Fischer MW, Money NP (2015). "Short-range splash discharge of peridioles in *Nidularia*". *Fungal Biology*. **119** (6): 471–475. [doi:10.1016/j.funbio.2015.01.003](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.funbio.2015.01.003). [PMID 25986543](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25986543)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Nidularia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nidularia) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nidularia?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.