Synonyms: Polyblastia discrepans f. dilatata Arnold
Distribution:
Description: Thallus not visible, not lichenized, growing on endolithic lichens, especially Protoblastenia-species. Perithecia (pseudothecia) black, 0.2-0.3 mm across, one-third to half-immersed in the host. Involucrellum absent; exciple brown throughout, K+ darker brown, greenish blue around the ostiole, paraplectenchymatous, c. 50 µm thick in upper part, 25-30 µm thick in lower part; hamathecium of short pseudoparaphyses and periphyses forming a crown above the asci and lining the ostiolar canal, interascal filaments lacking, the hymenial gel I+ red, K/I+ blue. Asci 8-spored, subcylindrical to narrowly clavate, thick-walled when young, without ocular chamber, K/I-. Ascospores submuriform to muriform, dark brown, divided by oblique septa into (2-)4-6(-8) cells, subglobose to broadly ellipsoid, (13-)15-20(-22) x (8-)10-13(-15) μm, surrounded by a halo at least when young. Photobiont absent. Spot tests: K-, C-, KC-, P-, UV-. Chemistry: without lichen substances.
Note: a rather rare, but widespread lichenicolous fungus growing on calcicolous crustose lichens in upland areas, known from several localities in Central Europe, the Alps and Spain. To be looked for in Italy.
