Dactylospora inopina (Lecanorales), a new biotrophic parasite on Radula (Hepaticae) from the Cape Horn Archipelago, Chile

Abstract

The lecanoralean fungus Dactylospora inopina Dobbeler & W.R.Buck sp. nov. (Dactylosporaceae) is described on the liverwort Radula spp. (Radulaceae, Jungermanniales) based on collections from southernmost Chile. The species is characterized by small, warty apothecial ascomata, polysporous asci and subcylindrical, four-celled, brown ascospores. Polyspory has previously been known only in five lichenicolous species having two-celled spores. The combination of polyspory and phragmospory is a new character in the genus. The parasite grows by a mycelium within the host cell walls and does not cause visible damage. Dactylospora inopina is one of the relatively few hepaticolous discomycetes known so far. Apart from two Octosporella species with perithecia-like apothecia it is the first one on the large genus Radula, which is a good host for pyrenocarpous ascomycetes.