I found a lichenicolous fungi growing on Variospora thallincola. Host (and lichenicolous fungi) are growing on the granite stones of a leeve (dyke) on the Wadden Sea side of Texel (Dutch island), 1 meter above tide line. My thought and suggestions from researchers were going in the direction of Sclerococcum, Trimmatostroma and Cladophialophora. However, I cannot find any species known to infect this host, nor one that looks like the specimen I found.

Description (so far): A black mass growing mainly on the host thallus, somethimes covering apothecial discs. So far, fruiting body structures are not recognized. On the host surface, the fungus produces 2- to multi-celled conidia. Conidial cells are dark, smooth-walled, subspherical to ellipsoid, measuring 5.8 - 7.9 x 4.7 - 5.3 um, Q 1.14 - 1.63.

Does anyone have any suggestions what this could be? Thanks in advance!

Kind regards,
Niek Schrier

Alain GARDIENNET, 24-06-2023 09:21

Re : lichenicolous fungi on Variospora thallincola

Yes, good idea to contact Paul, who is currently writing his Flora Lichenicolous Fungi II devoted to lichenicolous hyphomycetes. Either he confirms Monodictys fuliginosa and it will take him a few seconds, or he will ask to study this collection. It's not always easy to identify such fungi.
Alain