This Arnium was first found on 3-2-2017 on cow (Bos taurus) dung that has been incubated in a moist container since it was collected on 20-12-2016.

The dung is from an area of unimproved chalk grassland being grazed by cattle.

Location was on the South Downs, near Steyning, West Sussex, England.
Lat, long: 50.886673, -0.347259.

Perithecia immersed with necks protruding above dung surface. Perithecia 0.5mm. to 1mm. in diameter. Necks black and glabrous, perithecia semi-translucent. Hyphoid hairs growing from peridium, brown, septate and flexuous.

Asci average 300 x 50 tapering at base, spores irregularly arranged. Spores black, 43.75 to 52.5 (57) x 20-24. Central germ pore at each end of spore.

One gelatinous cauda attached centrally at each end. Caudae noticeably broad at base, similar in width or slightly wider than spores, faint striae visible at base of some.

It seems to be a good fit for Arnium cirriferum, as per the record on Ascofrance database and ref. Doveri, Fungi Fimicoli Italici and Anne Bell Coprophilous Ascomycetes of Australia.

As far as I am aware this species has not been found in the UK before so it would be great if someone could confirm the determination or suggest what else it might be.

Thanks
Vivien