ITALIC 8.0

Phacographa lapponica (Ihlen) Frisch & Ihlen

in Frisch & al., Graphis Scripta 34, 7: 97, 2022. Basionym: Epicladonia lapponica Ihlen - in Ihlen & Wedin, Nova Hedwigia, 81, 3-4: 495, 2005.

Synonyms:

Distribution:

Description: Thallus not evident, not lichenized, the hyphae developing inside the thalli and apothecia of Pleopsidium. Apothecia unknown. Pycnidia black, (0.2-)0.3-0.6 mm across, scattered or clustered, at first subglobose and immersed, later erumpent. cupulate and causing cracks in the host thallus, the wall dark brown, (6-)10-20(-25) μm thick, continuous, well-delimited from the host tissue, of both rounded and elongated cells. Conidiophores absent; conidiogenous cells hyaline, lining the inner wall of the pycnidial cavity, subcylindrical to elongate-ampulliform, 7-12(-15) x (1.5-)2-3(-5) μm, simple to rarely slightly branched, tapering towards the apex. Conidia formed singly at the apex of the conidiogenous cells, simple, bacilliform with rounded ends or sometimes with one cell truncated, 5-7(-9) x (1.5-)2-3 μm. Photobiont absent. Spot tests: all negative. Chemistry: without lichen substances.

Note: an arctic-alpine lichenicolous fungus developing on the thalli and apothecia of Pleopsidium. Described from Scandinavia and recently found also in the Alps (Austria, Switzerland, see Berger & Zimmermann 2025). To be looked for in the Italian Alps.

Growth form: Lichenicolous fungus

Substrata: rocks

Reproductive strategy: mainly sexual, or asexual by conidia and thalloconidia

In underhangs rarely wetted by rain

paras Pleopsidium chlorophanum

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Eutrophication:

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Poleotolerance:

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Altitudinal distribution:

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Predictive model

Source: Frisch, A., Klepsland, J., Palice, Z., Bendiksby, M., Tønsberg, T. & Holien, H. 2020. New and noteworthy lichens and lichenicolous fungi from Norway. Graphis Scripta 32 (1): 1–47. Oslo. ISSN 2002-4495. - CC BY-4.0

Epicladonia lapponica (TRH-L-24114) on Pleopsidium. Scale = 1 mm. Photo: A. Frisch.