Thalloidima physaroides (Opiz) Kistenich, Timdal, Bendiksby & S.Ekman

Taxon, 67: 897, 2018.. Basionym: Lecidea physaroides Opiz - Lotos, 6: 158, 1856.
Synonyms: Bacillina antipolitana Nyl.; Biatorina lurida (Bagl. ex Arnold) Jatta; Thalloidima luridum Bagl. ex Arnold; Toninia alluviicola M. Choisy; Toninia lurida (Bagl. ex Arnold) H. Olivier; Toninia physaroides (Opiz) Zahlbr.
Distribution: N - Ven, Emil (Nimis & al. 1996, Fariselli & al. 2020), Lig (Watson 2014). C - Tosc (Loppi & al. 1998, Putortì & al. 1999c), Marc (Nimis & Tretiach 1999), Umb (Ravera & al. 2006), Laz, Abr (Nimis & Tretiach 1999), Mol (Nimis & Tretiach 1999, Caporale & al. 2008), Sar. S - Camp (Garofalo & al. 1999, Aprile & al. 2003b), Pugl (Nimis & Tretiach 1999), Bas (Potenza 2006, Potenza & al. 2010, Potenza & Fascetti 2012), Cal (Puntillo 1996).
Description: Thallus squamulose to almost subfruticose. Squamules 1-2(-3) mm broad, to several mm long, scattered to usually contiguous and forming cushions, convex and bullate when young, then often becoming elongate and columnar, simple or branched above, dark grey to dark greyish green, weakly pruinose to epruinose, with numerous, punctiform to slightly elongated, white pseudocyphellae. Upper cortex 15-50 µm thick, including an up 20 µm thick epinecral layer (often thin or absent); algal layer continuous, medulla white, lacking crystals. Apothecia very rare, lecideine, rounded, sessile, strongly constricted at base, up to 6(-8) mm across, with a black, faintly pruinose to usually epruinose, flat to convex, smooth disc, and a distinct, smooth, concolorous proper margin. Proper exciple dark grey in outer part, pale grey to colourless within, the pigmented parts K+ and N+ violet; epithecium grey, K+ and N+ violet; hymenium colourless, 60-70 µm high; paraphyses not conglutinated, simple or sparingly branched and anastomosing in upper part, thin-walled, the apical cell distinctly swollen and covered by a gelatinous pigment cap; hypothecium pale brown to colourless. Asci 8-spored, clavate, surrounded by a gelatinous I+ blue coat, with a well-developed I+ blue tholus with a I+ darker blue tube and a well-developed ocular chamber, Bacidia-type. Ascospores 1-septate, hyaline, fusiform, 11.5-18.5 x 3.5-5 µm. Photobiont chlorococcoid. Spot tests: thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-, UV-. Chemistry: thallus without lichen substances; Sedifolia-grey pigment in apothecia.
Note: a mainly temperate species, most common on soil developing from calciferous sandstone, often amongst mosses and associated to cyanobacterial lichens when young, rare in limestone areas.
Growth form: Squamulose
Substrata: soil, terricolous mosses, and plant debris
Photobiont: green algae other than Trentepohlia
Reproductive strategy: mainly sexual
Subcontinental: restricted to areas with a dry-subcontinental climate (e.g. dry Alpine valleys, parts of Mediterranean Italy)

Commonnes-rarity: (info)

Alpine belt: absent
Subalpine belt: extremely rare
Oromediterranean belt: absent
Montane belt: very rare
Submediterranean belt: very rare
Padanian area: absent
Humid submediterranean belt: extremely rare
Humid mediterranean belt: very rare
Dry mediterranean belt: rare

pH of the substrata:

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Solar irradiation:

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Aridity:

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Eutrophication:

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Poleotolerance:

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Altitudinal distribution:

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Predictive model
Herbarium samples


P.L. Nimis; Owner: Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste
Herbarium: TSB (14164)
2001/12/01



P.L. Nimis; Owner: Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste
Herbarium: TSB (14164)
2001/12/01
detail of pseudocyphellae



P.L. Nimis CC BY-SA 04
TSB 4659



P.L. Nimis CC BY-SA 04
TSB 14164



P.L. Nimis CC BY-SA 04
TSB 14164


Courtesy Danièle et Olivier Gonnet - Source: https://www.afl-lichenologie.fr/Photos_AFL/Photos_AFL_T/Textes_T2/Thalloidima_physaroides.htm
France, sur sol calcaire - session AFL 2010 - Hérault


Courtesy Danièle et Olivier Gonnet - Source: https://www.afl-lichenologie.fr/Photos_AFL/Photos_AFL_T/Textes_T2/Thalloidima_physaroides.htm
France, sur sol calcaire - session AFL 2010 - Hérault


Courtesy Danièle et Olivier Gonnet - Source: https://www.afl-lichenologie.fr/Photos_AFL/Photos_AFL_T/Textes_T2/Thalloidima_physaroides.htm
France, sur sol calcaire - session AFL 2010 - Hérault