Opegrapha hellespontica Vondrák & Kocourk.

Lichenologist, 40: 175, 2008
Synonyms:
Distribution: C - Sar (Brackel & Berger 2019).
Description: Thallus inapparent, not lichenized, the hyphae developing inside the thalli of placodioid Variospora-species. Apothecia at first round, then lirelliform or ellipsoid, sessile, black, epruinose, (0.24-)0.3-0.5(-0.7) x (0.15-)0.2(0.3) mm, with a slit-like or slightly expanded disc, usually gathered into up to 1 mm wide, dense, suborbicular clusters. Proper exciple black, carbonized, (20-)30-70(-80) µm thick, formed of paraplectenchymatous cells, extending below the hymenium; epithecium covered in brown granules which are insoluble in K and in N, I+ blue; hymenium colourless, (80-)95-120(-130) µm high, I+ reddish, K/I+ blue; paraphysoids branched and anastomosing, 1.5-3 µm thick, the apical cells brown-pigmented, up to 5 µm wide; subhymenium colourless, 30-40 µm high, rarely inspersed with oil droplets; hypothecium brown-black, 20-30 µm high. Asci (6-)8-spored, narrowly clavate, fissitunicate, with a tholus and internal apical beak, Opegrapha-type. Ascospores 3-septate, hyaline (overmature spores may be brownish and warted), narrowly ellipsoid to slightly clavate, (14-)15-18(-19) x 5-7.5 µm, with a 0.5-1.5 µm thick, gelatinous perispore (not always observable). Photobiont absent. Spot tests: K-, C-, KC-, P-. Chemistry: without lichen substances.
Note: a recently-described lichenicolous fungus growing on the thalli of placodioid Variospora- species, known from a few sites in the Mediterranean Region.
Growth form: Lichenicolous fungus
Substrata: rocks
Reproductive strategy: mainly sexual
paras Variospora flavescens

Commonnes-rarity: (info)

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

Wolfgang von Brackel
Italy, Sardinia, OG, Barbagia Seulo, between Seui and Ussussai, on the road to Monte Tonneri, limestone rock on the forest edge, 970 m
14.08.2014
A – infection on the thallus of Variospora flavescens in the zone between the vanished inner parts (left down) and the healthy outer parts (right above); B: agglomeration of lirelloid and ellipsoid ascomata on a gall-like structure. Scale bar A = 2 mm, B = 0.5 mm