on 14/02/20 I again collected a collection of Mollisia in a dune forest in Oostduinkerke, Belgium. The asco's grew on the underside of an old, fallen branch of Betula pendula.
I recently studied a collection of Mollisia cinerea that turned out to be Mollisia 'atlantica' nom.prov. A.Gminder.
This time it seems that I'm dealing with 'atlantica' again.
Can anyone confirm this?

° Apothetia measure max 2 mm in diameter.
° Ectal exipulum consists of dark olive-brown to blackish cells. Hymenium mouse gray and discolouring yellow on drying.
° KOH-
° Spores: 9.94 x 2.72 µm (N = 31); free spores 1-septated; spores in the asci 1-septated; a few small oil drops scattered in both halves.
° Some paraphyses club-shaped; most filled with non-refractive oil drops.
° Asci: J +; 62.71x5.11


I feel that 'atlantica', here on the coast anyway, is much more spread out than might be  thought.

Many thx in advance.

Willliam

Andreas Gminder, 24-02-2020 23:02

Re : Mollisia 'atlantica'

Dear William,

fotos are to small to see the spores.
Can you take pictures of the spores and put them here without reducing them?
Also the paraphyses? The descritpion sounds unlike Mollisia, or like dead material - then a spetation of the asci might also be due to overmaturity.

Can you give me the data of the other collection of Mollisia "atlantica" too, as I'm preparing a paper for publication in near future. And are there microfotos?

all the best,
Andreas

Hans-Otto Baral, 25-02-2020 08:10

Re : Mollisia 'atlantica'

It is important to check spore septation inside the living asci, otherwise it makes little sense because many species have septate spores when they are overmature.

William Slosse, 25-02-2020 20:45

Re : Mollisia 'atlantica'

Thx for the remarks, Andreas & Zotto.
Indeed not such a good idea to present the photos in collage.
I again provide the separate photos of the spores in the asci and the paraphyses.
All preparations were made in tap water.
Greets,
William

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William Slosse, 25-02-2020 21:08

Re : Mollisia 'atlantica'

And here are the pics of spores in the asci and paraphyses of the earlier find.
At Koksijde, Belgium 19/01/20 growing on the underside of an old branch half burried in the leaflitter in an old (= grey) dune.
Greets,
William

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• Mollisia-atlantica-45--0001.jpg

Hans-Otto Baral, 25-02-2020 22:16

Re : Mollisia 'atlantica'

Indeed, now it is clear. But most of your asci are dead, only the beforelast pic shows living asci. This is important, because in asci that are dead for a longer time the spores may undergo the process of germination.

Andreas Gminder, 27-02-2020 11:09

Re : Mollisia 'atlantica'

Dear William,

as Zotto said, the beforelast ascus shows the spore septation in still living ascus. The asci in the othe fotos are dead, but not for long time obviousely, as most of the parapyses are still showing a fully expanded vacuolar body.

My expercience in western France near the costs in spring showed that M. atlantica is the most common species there, growing often on small sized woody substrate, e.g. Ruscus, but also on "normal" wood. I think I have even found it on Miscanthus.

best regards,
Andreas