Host: Plagiochila asplenioides
A minute, remarkable species that develops its fruitbodies within individual host cells.
Fig. 1 – Epibryon endocarpum on Plagiochila asplenioides (A–E Haldeman 4486b, F–O G.R.L. Greiff 706). A: Ascomata on brown, older host shoot. B: Ascomata and brown intracellular hyphae comprising short, wide cells. C: Three ascomata within host cells. D: Squash preparation showing ruptured ascoma with asci containing ascospores (arrowed) and the blue reaction of the hy- menial jelly after staining with KOH followed by Lugol’s solution; inset showing a liberated ascospore under the same staining conditions. E: Optical section through ascoma showing two asci containing ascospores, in Lugol’s solution after pretreatment with KOH. F–J: Ascomata occupying single host cells, superficial hyphae visible in the anticlines of the host cell walls. K Intracel- lular hyphae showing hypha types 2 and 3. L–O: Anamorph encountered with British specimen. L–M: Two focus planes showing possible conidiogenous stalks arising from intracellular mycelium. N: Apices of two stalks. O: Perforation of the host cell wall by stalk arising from intracellular hyphae. Scale bars A = 0.25 mm. B, C = 25 μm. D–E = 5 μm, inset in D 2.5 μm. F–O = 20 μm.
References
AscomyceteOrg, vol. 16, fasc. 1
Döbbeler, P. (1980). Epibryon endocarpum sp. nov. (Dothideales), ein hepaticoler Ascomycet mit intrazellulären Fruchtkörpern. Zeitschrift für Mykologie 46(2): 209–216.
Haldeman, M. & Greiff, G. R. L. (2024). Epibryon endocarpum Döbbeler, a little-known hepaticolous ascomycete new to North America and Britain. Ascomycete.org 16(1): 11–14. https://ascomycete.org/Journal/Article/art-0399.
Bryophilous fungi 