CraigPostlethwaite

I spent some time today setting up to use oil immersion for the first time and calibrating my graticule eyepiece for x1000. I then looked at the existing specimens and cut some new sections from another apothecia. At the higher magnification the conidia are clearly not verrrucose. When I measured using the eyepiece the widest I found was 3 microns. Some “blobs” at the edge of the pycnidia measured more but at the higher magnification these were clearly not conidia.

[attachment=0]x1000b.jpg[/attachment]

Thanks for your help on this. Apart from learning about this LF genus it has pushed my microscopy skills forward.

My initial measurements were carried out using the measuring tool on the camera software. I’m now of the view this may only be good enough for “rough” measurements e.g. is something about 10 or about 15 microns. Distortions due to how the image appears on the screen and my accuracy in where I click the mouse could easily result in inaccuracies. The use of the higher magnification also allowed the distinction of conidia from other items.

I will now record as Vouauxiella lichenicola. Looking at the current map on the BLS website I think this may be the first record for VC76 Renfrewshire.