Acarospora suzae H. Magn.

Svensk bot. Tidskr., 18: 339, 1924
Synonyms: Acarospora suzae f. tyroliensis (H. Magn.) Zahlbr.; Acarospora suzae var. tyroliensis H. Magn.
Distribution: N - TAA (Magnusson 1929).
Description: Thallus crustose, episubstratic, areolate, the areolae (developing on an endolithic hypothallus) contiguous, with an uneven surface, 0.5-1(-2) mm wide 0.4-0.5(-1.0) mm thick, irregular in shape, often angular, separated by deep and wide crevices, replicating by division, broadly attached, eventually becoming elevated by a mycelial base. Upper surface dark dull brown, rough, sometimes brownish-grey or white-pruinose; lower surface dark brown. Epicortex c. 10 µm thick; cortex 10-25 µm thick, of round, 3-5 µm wide cells, or with 2-5(-8) µm thick, vertically arranged hyphae, the upper layer consisting of a single layer of cells with reddish brown gel caps, the lower layer hyaline; algal layer continuous, not dense, 50-100 µm thick, most algal cells 10-14 µm wide; medulla snow-white, eventually forming a mycelial base of intricate, thin-walled, 2-5(-8) µm thick hyphae. Apothecia numerous, usually solitary, 0.4-0.6(-1) mm across, immersed or with a slightly elevated parathecial crown, the disc dull brown or black, rough. Proper exciple up to 25 µm wide; epithecium c. 10 µm high, usually lighter brown than the adjoining cortex; hymenium 80-100(-110) µm high, the hymenial gel amyloid, I+ blue; paraphyses c. 2 µm thick, the apices in gel caps, up to 3.5 µm wide, the epithecial gel K/I+ dark blue turning red (hemiamyloid); subhymenium c. 20 µm high, K/I+ blue; hypothecium 15-20 µm high. Asci multispored, 45-80 x 14-19 µm. Ascospores 1-celled, hyaline, ellipsoid, 3-5 x 1.5-2(-2.5) µm. Photobiont chlorococcoid. Spot tests: cortex and medulla K-, C-, KC-, P-. Chemistry: unknown, probably without lichen substances.
Note: a subcontinental species with a mainly eastern distribution in Europe, being known from the Czech Republic, Hungary, and a xerothermic Alpine valley in South Tyrol. It grows on Vinschauger mica-schist, trachyte and serpentine at low elevations, reaching c. 1500 m in the Italian Alps.
Growth form: Crustose
Substrata: rocks
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: absent
Oromediterranean belt: absent
Montane belt: extremely rare
Submediterranean belt: extremely rare
Padanian area: absent
Humid submediterranean belt: absent
Humid mediterranean belt: absent
Dry mediterranean belt: absent

pH of the substrata:

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Eutrophication:

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Poleotolerance:

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Altitudinal distribution:

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Predictive model

Magnusson A. H. (1935) Acarosporaceae, Thelocarpaceae. - In: Rabenhorst G. L.: Kryptogamen-Flora von Deutschland, Österreich, und der Schweiz-. 2nd- IX. Die Flechten. Abt. 5- 1. Gebr. Borntraeger. Leipzig, pp. 1-318. – Public Domain