Psoroglaena stigonemoides?

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JennyS
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Psoroglaena stigonemoides?

Post by JennyS »

Dorset, on a roadside fallen Oak branch - originally identified as Psoroglaena stigonemoides but I wanted to confirm as I've only knowingly come across that once before!

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w Psoroglaena stigonemoides 231119 027 fert.jpg
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Jenny Seawright
Mark Powell
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Re: Psoroglaena stigonemoides?

Post by Mark Powell »

I'm afraid I am a bit sceptical about your 'P. stigonemoides'. Your micrographs appear to show chains of algal cells which are only single-cell chains, each cell end to end with its neighbours. Also, I don't get the impression of the 'glassy' coating of hyphal cells enclosing the filaments.

Here is one of my micrographs of P. stigonemoides in which you can see that most filaments consist of a multiple column of algal cells with several algal cells at each place along the filament. You can also see the distinct glassy coating of hyphal cells.
Psorog stig 3433g.jpg
Psorog stig 3433g.jpg (30.43 KiB) Viewed 965 times
A similar appearance can be seen in other people's micrographs, including the following that I have taken from: https://www.waysofenlichenment.net/lich ... gonemoides
Curtis_Psoroglaena_stigonemoides_Selkirks_1%1.jpg
Curtis_Psoroglaena_stigonemoides_Selkirks_1%1.jpg (58.84 KiB) Viewed 965 times
Also, looking at your macro overview photos, the filaments look rather too long for typical P. stigonemoides and not sufficiently branched. I suspect you have a free-living alga. On mossy bark it is not unusual to have such algae growing in the same community as P. stigonemoides. The following is probably my best-developed specimen of P. stigonemoides (a fertile specimen). You will see that the form is more upright and coralloid with relatively stubby branches compared to your material with its long, trailing filaments.
Psorogl stig4419j.jpg
Psorogl stig4419j.jpg (27.52 KiB) Viewed 965 times
JennyS
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Re: Psoroglaena stigonemoides?

Post by JennyS »

Thanks Mark - you've just confirmed my doubts, and for the same reasons!
Jenny Seawright
Neil Sanderson
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Re: Psoroglaena stigonemoides?

Post by Neil Sanderson »

Jenny

Perhaps moss protomema? Often abundant in the same habitat as Psoroglaena stigonemoides.

Neil
Neil Sanderson
JennyS
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Re: Psoroglaena stigonemoides?

Post by JennyS »

Thanks Neil, and yes moss protomema is the most likely.
Among it I also spotted two more of the same apothecia shown in my 'Sclerococcum not Byssoloma' post from a couple of days ago - no closer to naming them though!
Jenny Seawright
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