Journal of Threatened Taxa |
www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 June 2020 | 12(9): 16110–16122
ISSN 0974-7907 (Online) | ISSN 0974-7893
(Print)
doi: https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.5115.12.9.16110-16122
#5115 | Received 24 May 2019 | Final received
06 June 2020 | Finally accepted 12 June 2020
Contribution to the macromycetes of West Bengal, India: 51–56
Diptosh Das 1, Entaj Tarafder 2, Meghma Bera 3, Anirban Roy 4 & Krishnendu
Acharya 5
1,2,3,5 Molecular and Applied Mycology
and Plant Pathology Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Calcutta,
Kolkata,
West Bengal 700019, India
1,2,4 West Bengal Biodiversity Board, Prani Sampad Bhawan, 5th Floor,
LB 2, Sector III, Salt Lake City, Kolkata, West Bengal 700106, India.
1 diptoshmycology@gmail.com, 2
entajtarafder@gmail.com, 3 mbera13@yahoo.com, 4 dr.anirbanroy@yahoo.co.in,
5 krish_paper@yahoo.com
(corresponding author)
Editor: Gunjan
Biswas, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore, India. Date
of publication: 26 June 2020 (online & print)
Citation: Das, D., E. Tarafder,
M. Bera, A. Roy & K. Acharya (2020). Contribution to the macromycetes of West Bengal, India: 51–56. Journal of Threatened Taxa 12(9): 16110–16122. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.5115.12.9.16110-16122
Copyright: © Das et al. 2020. Creative Commons Attribution
4.0 International License. JoTT allows unrestricted use, reproduction, and
distribution of this article in any medium by providing adequate credit to the
author(s) and the source of publication.
Funding: West Bengal
Biodiversity Board, Department
of Environment, Government of West Bengal.
Competing interests: The authors
declare no competing interests.
Author details: Diptosh Das, research scholar, interested in macro-fungal
taxonomy; Entaj
Tarafder, senior research fellow, interested
in macro-fungal taxonomy; Meghma Bera,
research scholar, interested in macro-fungal taxonomy and paleomycology;
Anirban Roy, Research Officer, interested in
floristics, community & restoration ecology; Krishnendu Acharya, Professor of Botany, interested in Macro-fungal
diversity and Medicinal prospects.
Author contribution: Specimen collected by DD, ET, MB,
AR and KA. Field Photographed by ET, AR and KA. Microscopy photographed by DD
and MB. Macro and microscopy described by DD and MB. Data analysis and compiled
by KA, AR and ET.
Acknowledgements: Authors are indebted to the
Department of Environment, Govt. Of West Bengal for financial assistance, West
Bengal Biodiversity Board and Department of Botany, University of Calcutta for
providing necessary administrative and laboratory facilities. Directorate of forest, Govt. of West Bengal
is duly acknowledged for extending guidance and facilities during the field
visits.
Abstract: The West Bengal is a treasure
house for macro-fungal diversity due to its varied geo-climatic conditions.
Detailed macroscopic and microscopic characterization was made to identify the
collected specimens. Altogether six species belonging to the family Xylariaceae (three species), Hypoxylaceae
(one species), Ascobolaceae (one species) and Pyronemataceae (one species) were collected from different
corners of the state. Literature survey revealed that all of the collected taxa
represent their first detailed description and distributional record from the
state. A comprehensive macro-morphological description, field photographs along
with microscopic observations are provided. The outcome of the present study
will enrich data related to the diversity of macrofungi
from the state West Bengal.
Keywords: Ascomycota, fungi, morphology,
taxonomy.
Introduction
West Bengal possesses diverse
phytogeographical realms, spreading through its coastal to subalpine regions,
due to its varied ecological conditions like altitude, temperature, edaphic
factors, etc. Thus, vegetation of this state is greatly diversified from its
east to west and north to south. These wide arrays of geomorphology, climatic
variations and vegetation structure make conducive for the luxuriant growth of macrofungi (Acharya et al. 2017a; Tarafder
et al. 2017).
The genus Xylaria
under the family Xylariaceae can easily be identified
by their cardial anatomical features including the
perithecial ascomata embedded in the dark coloured
stromata, cylindrical asci with an amyloid apical ring, ascospores with dark coloured complex multi-layered walls with a germ slit and
asexual morph during maturation (Rogers 2000). The most of the
species are growing on several substrates
like fallen leaves, petioles, herbaceous stems, dung, grasses, seeds, fruits,
wood and soil, preferably grow on rotten wood (Rogers et al. 1986; Hashemi et
al. 2014). Recent studies revealed that the family Xylariaceae
is one of the largest and most diverse family among Ascomycota, which comprised
85 genera and more than 1350 species (Daranagama et
al. 2017). Both the genera Daldinia and Hypoxylon, belonging to the family Hypoxylaceae have some common characters like presence of nodulisporium-like asexual morph and geniculosporium-like
asexual morph respectively (Daranagama et al. 2017).
But Daldinia can easily be distinguished from
the genus Hypoxylon by having distinctly
zonate inner entostroma. The genera Ascobolus and Scutellinia
belonging two different families Ascobolaceae and Pyronemataceae respectively are differentiated by bright coloured apothecia with marginal septate hairs and
ellipsoid ascospores with irregular ornamentation and less bright apothecia
without any marginal hairs and dark purplish brown ascospores with reticulate
fissure. Moreover, Ascobolus are coprophilous
where Scutellinia are lignicolous.
The present
work is the continuation of series of papers dealing with the macro-fungal
diversity of West Bengal (Acharya et al. 2017a, b, c; Tarafder
et al. 2017; Bera et al. 2018; Saha
et al. 2018). In this communication, six species belonging to the Ascomycetes
group viz. Xylaria arbuscular Sacc., Xylaria multiplex
(Kunze) Fr., Xylaria nigripes
(Klotzsch) Cooke, Daldinia
childiae J.D. Rogers & Y.M. Ju, Ascobolus scatigenus
(Berk. & M.A. Curtis) Brumm., and Scutellinia jungneri
(Henn.) Clem., collected from the state, are reported herein with their
detailed macro-morphological characters.
Material and Methods
Macrofungal specimens were collected during monsoon
and post monsoon period (June–October) from different forest and forest fringe
areas of West Bengal. During fieldwork,
digital photographs of the samples were taken in their habitat and their
macro-morphological and habitat features were noted. The standard identifying protocol, colour
photographs, and macro-morphological features of each specimen were taken in
the field. Collected specimens were
wrapped with tissue paper and kept in separate boxes for avoiding mixing of
spores. Finally, the collected specimens
were carefully withered in a hot air drier until the moisture was minimal. Microscopic features were observed with Carl
Zeiss AX10 Imager A1 phase contrast microscope from thin handmade sections of
the dried ascocarps by staining with Congo red, and Melzer’s reagent. Microscopic features were photographed with
microscope mounted digital camera.
Thirty measurements of ascospores were taken from each sample for
calculating dimensions of ascospores. Length/breadth ratio denotes the Q
value. Mean Q value (Qm)
was measured by dividing sum of Q value by total number of spores observed.
Specimens were identified by using standard taxonomic keys and literatures (Seaver et al. 1961; Brummelen 1967; Schumacher 1990;
Stadler et al. 2014; Daranagama et al. 2017). Methuen Handbook of Colour (Kornerup & Wanscher 1978) was
followed for colours terms and codes.
The voucher specimens were preserved (Pradhan et al. 2015) and deposited
at the Calcutta University Herbarium (CUH).
Results
During the exploration of macro-fungal diversity of
West Bengal, numerous specimens were collected of which six species of Phylum
Ascomycota had been identified, among them three species belonging
to the genus Xylaria, one species under Daldinia, one belongs to Ascobolus
and the remaining one is from Scutellinia.
Taxonomy
Xylaria arbuscula Sacc., Michelia 1(2): 249 (1878) (Image 1)
Specimen examined: CUH AM612, 14.vii.2017, 58.0470N &
133.2400E, elevation 46m, Tufanganj-I,
Cooch Behar District, West Bengal, India, coll. D. Das, E. Tarafder,
K. Acharya & A. Roy.
Teleomorph Stromata erect, 8–20 mm total height,
stipitate. Stipe 4–15 mm long × 2–3 mm width, unbranched dark grey (1F1). Fertile part 4–12 mm high × 2–3 mm width, cylindrico-clavate with rounded to mucronate sterile
apices, surface with several longitudinal cracks, dark grey (1F1). Outer entostroma
tough, carbonaceous, interior solid. Perithecia globose to sub-globose 249–333
× 226–306 μm without or with slightly exposed
outlines, Ostioles without papillae.
Ascospores (10.9–)13.3–14.5–16.6(–19.6) × (3.6–)3.9–4.6–5.3(–5.9)
μm, (n=30 spores), Qm=3.15,
uniseriate ellipsoid-inequilateral
with narrowly to broadly rounded ends, with no hyaline cellular appendage, dark
brown (6F8), smooth, uni-guttulate, guttule central, conspicuous straight germ slit slightly
less than the spore-length on the less convex side. Abnormal, pyriform ascospores with beaked
ends also frequently found, these were not taken for measurements. Asci 72–111 μm long
× 6–9 μm broad, cylindrical, 8-spored; stalk 36–71 μm long, with apical apparatus, tubular to urn-shaped, apical
ring positive in Melzer’s reagent. Outer entostroma textura prismatica type and inner
entostroma textura angularis.
Habit and habitat: Ascomata grown gregariously on rotten wood having no
host specificity. Saprotroph, lignicolous.
Notes: Xylaria arbuscula Sacc. is well
characterized morphologically by its 8–20 mm erect ascomata, 4–5 mm long
unbranched stipe, mucronate sterile apices and microscopically by having
(11–)13.5–16.5(–19.6) × (3.6–)3.9–5.3(–5.9) μm sized,
uniseriate, ellipsoid in-equilateral ascospores and
straight germ slit. It has been
described first from a green house in Italy and distribution is cosmopolitan
having no such host specificity. The
present taxon is satisfyingly harmonized with the species reported from New
Zealand in spore size [(11–)13.5–165(–19.6) × (3.6–)3.9–5.3(–5.9) μm vs (11–)13–16(–19) × (4.0–)5.0–6.0(–7.5) μm], J+ apical ring of ascus, straight germ slit and
wrinkled teleomorph in dry condition (Rogers et al. 2012). The same species reported from Iran shows
slight mismatch in spore size with the present taxon [(10.9–)13.3–16.6(–19.6) ×
(3.6–)3.9–5.3(–5.9) μm vs 12–16(–17) × 5–6 μm] (Hashemi et al. 2014) Xylaria
arbuscula Sacc., differs
from its closely related species Xylaria
multiplex (Kunze) Fr. in having
10–13(–14) × (4–)5(–6) μm sized ascospores and
germ slit equal to the length of ascospore (Hashemi et al. 2014).
Xylaria multiplex (Kunze) Fr. Nova Acta R. Soc. Scient. Upsal., Ser. 3, 1(1): 127(1851) (Image 2)
Specimen examined: CUH AM611, 16.vii.2017, 73.6740N &
141.5100E, 49m, Buxa Tiger Reserve Forest,
Alipurduar District, West Bengal, India, coll. K.
Acharya, A. Roy, D. Das & E. Tarafder.
Teleomorph Stromata erect, mostly unbranched but
sometimes branched towards the apex, 8–27 mm total height, stipitate; stipe
very short to short, 3–11 mm long × 1–2 mm width, unbranched, dark
grey(1F1). Fertile parts 4–25 mm high ×
1–2.5 mm width, cylindrico-clavate with rounded to
slightly fusoid fertile apices, surface roughened
with several ostiolar ridges, dark grey(1F1); outer entostroma tough, highly carbonaceous, interior solid. Perithecia sub-globose, 239–530 × 138–340 μm, with slightly exposed outlines, ostioles with
conspicuous papillae.
Ascospores (8.3–)8.6–9.2–9.9(–10.6) × (3.3–)3.3–3.3–3.3–3.6)
μm, (n=30 spores) Qm=2.7
uniseriate ellipsoid-inequilateral
with narrowly to broadly rounded ends, without hyaline cellular appendage, dark
brown (6F8), smooth, multi-guttulate, conspicuous straight germ slit equal to
the spore-length on the less convex side.
Abnormal, ascospores with beaked ends also found frequently. Asci cylindrical, 8-spored, difficult to
measure. Outer entostroma textura
prismatica type 38–76 μm
wide and inner entostroma textura
angularis.
Habit and habitat: Ascomata grown gregariously on rotten wood. Having no host specificity. Saprotroph.
Notes: Xylaria multiplex (Kunze) Fr. is characterized morphologically by its
dark grey (1F1) coloured erect, unbranched to branched, stipitate stromata with
a fusoid apices and anatomically in its spore size
(5.9–)6.6–10.6(–12.6) × (3.3–3.6) μm and germ slit
equals to spore length. The species is a tropical species distributed
throughout the tropical region of world.
The present taxon nicely matches with the previously reported Indian
taxon from Western Ghats, Karnataka in spore size (8.3–)8.6–9.2–9.9(–10.6) ×
(3.3–)3.3–3.3–3.3–3.6) μm vs 8.9–10.8 × 3.9–4.7 μm] (Karun et al. 2015).
Xylaria multiplex (Kunze) Fr.
differs from its closely related species X. longipes
Nitschke, in having cylindrical, dull black coloured
fruit-body with elevated, grooved stromal surface and having a short stipe and
sigmoid germ slit (Karun et al. 2015).
Xylaria nigripes (Klotzsch) Cooke, Grevillea 11(59): 89 (1883) (Image 3)
Specimen examined CUH AM297, 21.viii.2012, 77.9470N &
125.0760E, 10m, Rajbhavan, Kolkata, West
Bengal, India, coll. K. Acharya.
Teleomorph stromata erect, acute apex, 50–75 mm total
height, stipitate; stipe moderately long, 20–30 mm long × 1–3 mm broad,
unbranched, dark grey (1F1). Fertile
part 30–55 mm high × 3–6 mm width, cylindrico-clavate,
with papillate ostioles, surface roughened, greyish yellow (3D3). Outer ectostroma
tough, carbonaceous, interior solid. Perithecia narrow ellipsoid 300–680 ×
114–243 μm.
Ascospores (5.4–)5.7–6.3–7.1(–7.8) × (2.6–)2.8–2.9–3.1(–3.4)
μm, (n=30 spores), Qm=2.1,
uniseriate ellipsoid-inequilateral,
without hyaline cellular appendage, dark brown, smooth, with a centre guttule, inconspicuous germ slit. Asci 63–78 × 3.4–3.7 μm,
narrow cylindrical, 8-spored. Outer entostroma textura angularis and inner entostroma
inconspicuous.
Habit and habitat: Terrestrial in habitat and were associated with
termite nest.
Notes: Xylaria nigripes (Klotzsch) Cooke is well
characterized morphologically by 50–75 mm long ascomata having greyish-yellow
(3D3) coloured fertile portion surrounded by distinctly papillate ostioles
causing a spiny stromatal surface and anatomically by
its (5.4–)5.7–6.3–7.1(–7.8) × (2.6–)2.8–2.9–3.1(–3.4) μm
sized ascospores. The present taxon has been reported several times from
different corners of tropical regions.
The present taxon is very well harmonized with the previously reported
species from Karnataka (India) in its spore size [(5.4–)5.7–6.3–7.1(–7.8) ×
(2.6–)2.8–2.9–3.1(–3.4) μm vs 5.3–7.9 × 2.6–3.3 μm] (Karun et al, 2015).
The present taxon differs from closely related species X. escharoidea in having cylindric to fusoid,
black ascomata with obtuse apex and smaller sized ascospores (3.7–5.2 × 2.5–3 μm).
Daldinia childiae J.D. Rogers & Y.M. Ju, in Rogers, Ju, Watling & Whalley,
Mycotaxon 72: 512 (1999) (Image 4a,b)
Specimen examined: CUH AM615, 14.vii.2017, 58.0470N &
133.2400E, 46m, Tufanganj-II, Rashik Bill, Cooch Behar District, West Bengal, India,
coll. K. Acharya, D. Das, E. Tarafder & A. Roy;
CUH AM613, 14.vii.2017, 58.0470N & 133.2400E, 46m,
Check Post, Cooch Behar District, West Bengal, India, coll. K. Acharya, D. Das,
E. Tarafder & A. Roy; CUH AM614, 14.vii.2017,
58.0470N & 133.2400E, 46m, Check Post, Cooch Behar
District, West Bengal, India, coll. K. Acharya, D. Das, E. Tarafder
& A. Roy; CUH AM616, 15.vii.2017, 77.8560N & 144.2910E,
50m, Damanpur, Alipurduar
District, West Bengal, India, coll. K. Acharya, D. Das, E. Tarafder
& A. Roy; CUH AM617, 16.vii.2017, 73.6740N & 141.5100E,
49m, Buxa Tiger Reserve Forest, Alipurduar
District, West Bengal, India, coll. K. Acharya, D. Das, E. Tarafder
& A. Roy.
Stromata shows spherical to turbinate geometry in
structure, pulvinate, 15−46 × 11−36 × 9−35 mm, attached with a small stipe,
coalescent, surface smooth with inconspicuous perithecial moulds, smooth but
slightly undulating, dull red to reddish-brown (9C4−9D4). KOH extractable pigments Cinnamon brown (6D6–6E6). Outer entostroma textura prismatica type, dark
brown (6F6), pithy to woody; inner entostroma
consists of alternately placed darker and lighter zones, the ratio of darker
with lighter zone is 1: 1.5−2, pithy to woody; dark zone textura
porrecta to textura angularis with hyphae or cells, dark brown (6F6) pigmented,
thick walled; lighter zone textura porrecta with broad thick walled hyphae, less pigmented to
hyaline, agglutinated. Perithecial layer loculate on
drying. Perithecia obovoid to
lanceolate, 2−3.2 × 1−2.3 mm. Ostioles slightly papillate.
Ascospores (11.6−)11.9−14−16.6(−16.9) × (5.3−)5.6−6.4−6.9(−7.3)
µm, (n=30 spores), Qm=2.2, ellipsoid-inequilateral, germ slit equal to spore length in convex
side, brown (6E8) to dark brown (6F6), epispore
smooth. Asci 183–216 × 7.3−11.6 µm, with amyloid, discoid apical
apparatus. Perispore
dehiscent in 10% KOH. Perithecial
diameter 600–1,500 µm.
Habit and habitat: Ascoma appear in solitary or aggregated together on a
dead decayed trunk of a sal tree. Saprophytic, late
decomposer, having no host specificity.
Notes: Daldinia childiae J.D. Rogers
& Y.M. Ju, is well characterized by stipitate ascomata, cinnamon brown
coloured KOH extractable pigment, dehiscent perispore
and (11.6−)11.9−14−16.6(−16.9) × (5.3−)5.6−6.4−6.9(−7.3) µm sized, inequilateral, dark brown ascospores. Distribution of Daldinia
childiae J.D. Rogers & Y.M. Ju, is
cosmopolitan throughout the tropical region of the world. The present taxon is satisfyingly harmonized
with the Stadler’s described specimen in spore size (11.6−)11.9−14−16.6(−16.9)
× (5.3−)5.6−6.4−6.9(−7.3) µm vs. 12–16(–17) × 5.5–7.5 µm, ascus size 183−216 ×
7.3−11.6 µm vs. 180–220 × 8–12 µm and cinnamon brown coloured KOH extractable
pigment (Stadler et al. 2014). This specimen also very nicely matches with the
described species from Gujrat (Koyani et al. 2016) in
spore size [(11.6−)11.9−14−16.6(−16.9) × (5.3−)5.6−6.4−6.9(−7.3) µm vs. 11–16 ×
5–8 μm] and also shows some tiny difference with the
previously described species of Vadodora, India in
spore size [(11.6)−11.9−14−16.6−(16.9) × (5.3−)5.6−6.4−6.9(−7.3) µm vs.10–16 ×
4–8 μm] (Koyani
et al. 2016; Nagadesi et al. 2017). Daldinia childiae J.D. Rogers & Y.M. Ju, differs
from closely related species Daldinia pyrenaica M. Stadler & Wollw, in spore size [(11.6)−11.9−14−16.6−(16.9) ×
(5.3)−5.6−6.4−6.9(−7.3) µm vs. 13–17 × 6.5–8 μm] and
Daldinia cf. childiae
in having germ slit length less than spore length and smooth stromal surface
(Stadler et al. 2014).
Ascobolus scatigenus (Berk. & M.A. Curtis) Brumm., Persoonia, Suppl. 1: 159 (1967) (Image 5a,b)
Specimen examined: CUH AM292, 17.vii.2017, 58.3310N
& 137.6700E, 50m, Bara Debi Bari, Cooch Behar District, West
Bengal, India, coll. D. Das, E. Tarafder, K. Acharya
& A. Roy; CUH AM295, 18.vii.2017, 58.0470N & 133.2400E,
46m, Kaljani, Cooch Behar District, West Bengal,
India, coll. D. Das, E. Tarafder, K. Acharya & A.
Roy.
Ascomata 8−25 mm in diam., 2−4 mm high, sessile, deep
concave when young becoming flat at maturity, hymenophore covered with white
(1A1) granular margin, disk always darker than excipulum, greyish-green
(1D5–1D6–1D7).
Ascospores (19.8−)20−22.3−24.3(−24.9) × (10−)10.3−11.6−12.6(−13.2)
µm, (n=30 spores), Qm=1.9, ellipsoid, uniseriate or irregular biseriate, smooth, with sigmoid or
longitudinal two or more fissures, finely reticulate, pigments precipitate in
uniform patches. Asci 146−253 ×
16−22 µm, 8-spored, cylindrico-clavate, wall turning
blue in Melzer’s reagent; stalk very narrow, short 11.5−21 µm in length. Hymenium 172−204 µm, uniform; hypothecium
distinct, composed of 5−11 mm diam., globose cells, textura
globulosa.
Paraphyses 2.8−3.4 µm, simple septate, sometimes
branched; tapered towards apex, narrow cylindrical, hyaline in 5% KOH. Excipulum 45−62 µm thick, made up of globose
to sub-globose cells, textura globulosa.
Habit and habitat: Grows gregariously on cow or buffalo dung,
coprophilous.
Notes: Ascobolus scatigenus
(Berk. & M.A. Curtis) Brumm, is very well
characterized microscopically by its ellipsoid, reticulated, (19.8–)20–22.3–24.3(–24.9)
× 10–11.6–12.6(–13) µm sized ascospores and morphologically by its coprophilous
habitat, greyish green (1D5–1D6–1D7) coloured hymeneal disc, granular white
margin and sessile flat concave ascomata.
Ascobolus scatigenus
(Berk. & M.A. Curtis) Brumm, distributed
throughout the tropic region of the world.
The present taxon satisfyingly harmonized with the previously reported
taxon from northern Rhodesia by J. Van Brummelen (1967) in his world monograph
of Ascobolus and Saccobolus
and with the Brazilian species (Melo et. al. 2014) in its spore size
[19.8−24.9 × 10−13 µm vs. 20−26 × 11−14 µm], shape and reticulate fissures on
the spore wall. Ascobolus
scatigenus (Berk. & M.A. Curtis) Brumm., differs from its closely related species A. castaneus Teng, in having 15−19.5 × 7.5−9 µm sized
ascospores and perfectly smooth episporium.
Scutellinia jungneri (Henn.) Clem.,
Bull. Torrey bot. Club 30: 90 (1903) (Image 6a,b)
Specimen examined: CUH AM298, 19.ix.2017, 78.1630N &
160.5170E, 84m, Targhera, Jalpaiguri District, West Bengal, India, coll. D. Das, E. Tarafder, K. Acharya & A. Roy.
Apothecia 2−6 mm in diam., 2−4 mm high, sessile, disk
flat, yellowish golden yellow to orange (5B7–5B8); margin along with receptacle
covered with brown erect hairs with various length, dark brown (7F7–7F8).
Ascospores (15.8−) 17−18−19.5 (−20) × (9.2−) 10.4−11.3−11.4
(−11.8) µm, (n=30 spores), Qm=1.6,
ellipsoid, with two or more guttule, ornamentation
consisting of angular or rounded warts, inamyloid. Ascus 149−220 × 12−18 µm, 8-spored, cylindrico-clavate, inamyloid; stalk very short, 5.7−11.8
µm in length. Hymenium 250−400 µm,
uniform; sub-hymenium distinct, composed of narrow cells. Paraphyses 3.5−8.6 µm broad,
simple septate, straight, branched at the middle or basal portion, cylindrico-clavate apex, hyaline in 5% KOH. Ectal-excipulum
made up with 23−71.7 µm diam., globose cell, textura globulosa. Hair 229−574
× 31−40 µm straight, multi septate, no furcation at the base, thick walled;
wall 3.7−8.6 µm thick.
Habit and habitat: Ascomata grown solitary to gregariously on a rotten
wood, saprotroph.
Notes: Scutellinia jungneri
(Henn.) Clem. is very well characterized by 2−6 × 2−4 mm, yellow to orange
(5B7–5B8) ascomata surrounded by 229−574 × 31−40 µm dark brown (7F7–7F8) hair,
(15.8−)17.2−18.1−19.5(−20) × (9.2−)10.4−11.3−11.4(−11.8) µm, ellipsoid
ascospores having angular or rounded warts, 149−220 × 11.5−17.2 µm ascus with
short narrow base. The present taxon is
distributed throughout the tropical region of the world. It was reported previously from India in the
year of 1968 as Scutellinia jungneri (Henn.) Clem, by Kar & Pal (Schumacher
1990). The present taxon is satisfyingly
harmonized with the Trond Schumacher’s description in spore size [15.8−17.2−18.1−19.5−20
× 9.2−10.4−11.3−11.4−11.8 µm vs. 16.8−19.4 × 8.8−12.2], shape, ascus size
[149−220 × 11.5−17.2 µm vs 160−250 × 11−15 µm] and the size of the dark brown
coloured marginal hair [155−574 × 31−40 µm vs 150−400 µm] with no furcation at
the base (Schumacher 1990). Scutellinia jungneri
(Henn.) Clem., differs from its closely related species Scutellinia
jungneri (Henn.) Clem, in having 17.4−22.8 ×
11−13 µm sized ascospores, 360−1600 × 22−47 µm marginal hairs with
multibranched base (Schumacher 1990).
Discussion
The genus Xylaria
under the family Xylariaceae can easily be identified
by their cardial anatomical features including the
perithecial ascomata embedded in the dark coloured stromata, cylindrical asci
with an amyloid apical ring, ascospores with dark coloured complex multi-layered
walls with a germ slit and asexual morph during maturation (Rogers
2000). Most of the species grow on several substrates like fallen leaves,
petioles, herbaceous stems, dung, grasses, seeds, fruits, wood, soil, and
rotten wood (Rogers & Samuels 1986; Hashemi et al. 2014). Recent studies revealed that the family Xylariaceae is one of the largest and most diverse family
among Ascomycota, which comprised 85 genera and more than 1,350 species (Daranagama et al. 2017). Both the genera Daldinia and Hypoxylon,
belonging to the family Hypoxylaceae have some common
characters like presence of nodulisporium-like
asexual morph and geniculosporium-like asexual morph
respectively (Daranagama et al. 2017). But Daldinia
can easily be distinguished from the genus Hypoxylon
by having distinctly zonate inner entostroma. The genera Ascobolus
and Scutellinia belonging two different
families Ascobolaceae and Pyronemataceae
respectively are differentiated by bright coloured apothecia with marginal
septate hairs and ellipsoid ascospores with irregular ornamentation and less
bright apothecia without any marginal hairs and dark purplish brown ascospores
with reticulate fissure. Moreover, Ascobolus
are coprophilous where Scutellinia are lignicolous.
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