diff options
Diffstat (limited to '57291-0.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | 57291-0.txt | 2990 |
1 files changed, 2990 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/57291-0.txt b/57291-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b1b6299 --- /dev/null +++ b/57291-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2990 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 57291 *** + + + + + + + + +Transcriber's note: Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_). +Corrigendum applied at the wish of the principle author: in Key 3 the +pointers to couplets 56 and 66 were the wrong way round and have been +corrected in this edition. + + * * * * * + + + + +KEYS TO FUNGI +ON DUNG + +by + +M. J. RICHARDSON +165 Braid Road, +EDINBURGH EH10 6JE + +and + +ROY WATLING +Royal Botanic Garden, +EDINBURGH EH3 5LR + + + + Published by the British Mycological Society + PO Box 30, Stourbridge + West Midlands DY9 9PZ + + © British Mycological Society 1997 + + Printed in Scotland by BPC-AUP Aberdeen Ltd + + ISBN 0 9527704 2 3 + + + The first edition of these keys was published in the _Bulletin of the + British Mycological Society_ 2, 18-43 (1968) and 3, 86-88, 121-124 (1969) + in an attempt to bring together in one place information for the + identification of coprophilous fungi which would be useful to teachers + and others interested in these fungi. They were issued as a separate + publication in 1972, and with corrections in 1974. They were reprinted in + 1982 with additions. This latest edition is an update of all the earlier + ones, with current nomenclature and recent references, and the inclusion + of some additional species. + + M.J.R. + R.W. + December 1996 + + + + + +INTRODUCTION + + + +Coprophilous fungi are highly satisfactory for demonstrating the diversity +and morphology of a group of related organisms within an ecological system. +Representative genera of most major groups of fungi can usually be +guaranteed to appear on dung after a period of incubation. There is no +shortage of dung in our fields and woods, and this material will always +produce characteristic fungi at whatever time of year it is collected. + +Dung is best incubated in a light place, for example on a table in a warm +room, on layers of moist filter paper or other absorbent material. For +rabbit pellets, and samples of similar size, Petri dishes are ideal; for +horse 'apples', and larger types of dung, large covered dishes such as +glass casseroles, plastic sandwich boxes or yoghurt pots are needed. The +top third cut from a plastic lemonade or mineral water bottle fits neatly +in a Petri dish, and replacing the screw cap with a cotton wool plug allows +aeration and gives adequate height for developing basidiomycetes. Samples +should not be kept in airtight containers for any length of time after +collection, as in such conditions insects and nematodes tend to break down +the dung, and anaerobic conditions which do not favour the fungi rapidly +develop. If they cannot be set to incubate soon after collection they can +be gently air dried, as most dung fungi will remain alive after such +treatment and grow out when the sample is eventually moistened. The +absorbent material should be kept moist. Although free water will not allow +the best development of ascomycetes, the succession of basidiomycetes +appears to vary with the wetness of the dung. Earthworms and insect larvae +should be excluded from the samples as far as possible, for they break up +the dung too much; activity of the latter can be reduced by spraying +lightly with a household insecticide. If space is limited and cultures are +kept nearby, it is very important to prevent mite infestation. Containers +can be isolated by placing on glass plates lightly smeared with Vaseline, +to which an acaricide (e.g. methyl benzoate) can be added. + +Fungi are best sought with a stereoscopic binocular microscope, when their +full beauty will be seen, but a hand lens or simple magnifier, although +less convenient, is sufficient for all but the smallest forms. The larger +ascomycetes and most of the basidiomycetes are readily seen with the +unaided eye, but the binocular microscope is still very useful for +observing the gross features of the veil of the basidiomycetes. Perithecia, +apothecia and similar structures can be removed with fine needles or +forceps quite cleanly for mounting, initially in water, on slides. +Subsequent irrigation with iodine solution will allow any reaction of ascus +wall, tip or pore to be observed, and mounting in diluted Indian ink can +enhance the visibility of appendages, caudae and sheaths which occur on +some spores. Spore discharge in the ascomycetes often occurs from mature +asci when material is mounted in water, so mature spores can immediately be +seen. Many of the coprophilous toadstools (agarics), because of their small +size and/or rapidly deliquescent nature, often do not give spore prints in +the normal way, but mature spores can usually be found on the stipe or in +natural spore prints formed on the absorbent material on which the dung is +supported. For accurate identification the ability to measure the size of +spores and other structures will be necessary. Basic microscopical +technique and mycological knowledge is assumed. Common species are well +described and illustrated in popular books, and references are given to +specialist works to allow descriptions of less common species to be found. +It will be necessary to refer to these for critical taxa. Although this +edition contains about one half more species than the 1982 edition, there +are still many species to be described and new records and observations to +be made, especially in the Ascomycotina. + +Four keys are presented. Keys 1 and 2 (MJR) are to the coprophilous +ascomycetes, a very diverse group which, although not covering all the +possible types of reproductive structure found in the class, contains many +of the important types. The information for the identification of these +fungi is dispersed throughout the literature, and many new species are +still being discovered and described. Some appear to be world-wide in their +distribution, others more restricted, with a prevalence of reports from +either arctic, temperate or tropical regions. These keys are not +exhaustive, since there are far too many species to make it practical to +include them all. They do, however, include most genera, and the commoner +or well known species of temperate regions. Specific (and even generic) +limits in some cases (e.g. _Coprotus_ / _Ascophanus_ / _Ryparobius_ / +_Thelebolus_) are still the subject of debate and the choice of names to +use in the key for a few taxa has been a compromise. Key 2 includes the +original 'plectomycete' key (RW), which contains fungi which may not be +strictly coprophilous in the normal sense, but fungi which occur on hair, +horn, bone and cadavers, and may thus be found on carnivore dung or pellets +of owls and other birds of prey. + +Key 3 (RW, p. 52) is to the basidiomycetes of dung and associated debris. +The part of the key dealing with the agarics attempts to be as complete as +possible. Since the toadstools have always been thought of as the best +known of the coprophilous fungi, attention to their taxonomy has often been +careless. In this key the opportunity has been taken to adopt a rather +narrow species concept, and to provide in certain places indications of +where distinct taxa, even autonomous species, may be found after further +laboratory work. Many of these types have been cultured and appear to +differ vegetatively in ways which support observations of gross morphology. +Coprophilous agarics are popular material for genetic studies and +additional information on veil structure, spore number etc. of individual +species is given, even when these are not 'key characters'. + +Key 4 (MJR, p. 63) is to the Zygomycota (phycomycetes) which are +characteristic of dung and amongst the first to appear when freshly dropped +dung is incubated. They soon disappear, however, but their fruiting can be +prolonged by plating small portions of dung on a nutrient medium (e.g. +potato carrot or potato dextrose agar) to which has been added a small +amount of antibiotic to reduce bacterial growth. This method is especially +suitable for the parasitic and predacious fungi. A cultural approach is +essential for the identification of many of these fungi and the above +media, and oatmeal agar, are suitable for culture as well as isolation. For +this reason the study of this group of fungi is less easy than that of the +ascomycetes and basidiomycetes but, because the asexual stages are +characteristic, we have attempted to key out the commoner genera which +might be found, with notes on common species. The asexual spores are +sporangiospores formed in sporangia; some sporangia produce a single spore +within a closely fitting sporangium, and have in the past been erroneously +described as conidia. A great range of sporangial structure occurs within +the orders concerned. The classical structure is the massive (up to 250µm +diam.) multispored sporangium with an internal columella which remains +after the spores have been dispersed (e.g. _Mucor_); those of _Mortierella_ +are similar, but smaller and without a columella. Other sporangia are much +reduced and may be only 10-20µm diam., and contain only a small number of +spores (_Thamnidium_) or one spore (_Chaetocladium_); these small globose +structures are termed sporangioles. Spores may also form in chains; the +chains are in terminal groups and are formed by the differentiation of the +contents of cylindrical sporangia which are considered to be part-sporangia +(merosporangia). When the sporangial wall has disappeared the spore chains +may remain discrete and intact, or they may collapse into a wet droplet of +spores (_Syncephalastrum_, some _Piptocephalis_). Members of the +Kickxellaceae (e.g. _Coemansia_, _Kickxella_) have single spored +merosporangia produced in serried ranks on boat-shaped or swollen +structures (sporoclades). The sexual spores (zygospores) are rarely seen +without culturing; oatmeal agar is one which favours their production. The +key includes one member of the Entomophthorales, which also produces +single-spored sporangia. Other members of this order may be found +parasitising the various animals which live in dung; many other predacious +fungi may also be seen, e.g. parasites of amoebae (_Acaulopage_). The key +is of necessity far from complete, and omits members of the Dimargaritales, +which have been found frequently on dung of small mammals in America. + +Mitosporic fungi ('Fungi Imperfecti') and myxomycetes have been excluded, +since they would expand the range of these keys beyond what was initially +intended, although numerous species of both groups occur on dung when +incubated in a damp chamber. For mitosporic fungi see Seifert, Kendrick & +Murase (1983) and Ellis & Ellis (1988); for myxomycetes see Eliasson & +Lundqvist (1979). As practical keys, rather than a taxonomic treatment, +taxonomic authorities have not been cited. For ascomycetes, Cannon, +Hawksworth & Sherwood-Pike (1985) have been followed, unless there is a +more recent treatment of a group. For the basidiomycetes the 'New Checklist +of British Agarics and Boleti' (Dennis, Orton & Hora, 1960, _Supplement to +the Transactions of the British Mycological Society_ 43) has been followed, +and _The British Fungus Flora_ (Orton & Watling, 1979 and Watling, 1982). + + + ASCOMYCETE REFERENCES + + Ahmed, S. I. & Cain, R. F. (1972). Revision of the genera _Sporormia_ and + _Sporormiella_. _Canadian Journal of Botany_ 50, 419-477. (Keys and + descriptions of 66 spp.). + + Apinis, A. E. (1964). Revision of the British Gymnoascaceae. _Mycological + Paper_ 96. + + Arx, J. A. von (1971). On _Arachniotus_ and related genera of the + Gymnoascaceae. _Persoonia_ 6, 371-380. + + Arx, J. A. von (1975). Revision of _Microascus_ with the description of a + new species. _Persoonia_ 8, 191-197. + + Arx, J. A. von (1975). On _Thielavia_ and some similar genera of + Ascomycetes. _Studies in Mycology_ 8. + + Arx, J. A. von (1982). A key to the species of _Gelasinospora_. + _Persoonia_ 11, 443-449. + + Arx, J. A. von (1986). The ascomycete genus _Gymnoascus_. _Persoonia_ 13, + 173-183. + + Arx, J. A. von (1987). A re-evaluation of the Eurotiales. _Persoonia_ 13, + 273-300. (Keys to families and genera). + + Arx, J. A. von, Dreyfuss, M. & Müller, E. (1984). A re-evaluation of + _Chaetomium_ and the Chaetomiaceae. _Persoonia_ 12, 169-179. (Key to + species). + + Arx, J. A. von, Figueras, M. J. & Guarro, J. (1988). Sordariaceous + Ascomycetes without Ascospore Ejaculation. _Beihefte zur Nova Hedwigia_ + 94, 1-104. + + Arx, J. A. von, & Gams, W. (1967). Über _Pleurage verruculosa_ und die + zugehörige _Cladorrhinum_-Konidienform. _Nova Hedwigia_ 13, 198-208. + + Arx, J. A. von, Guarro, J. & van der Aa, H. A. (1987). _Asordaria_, a new + genus of the Sordariaceae, and a new species of _Melanocarpus_. + _Persoonia_ 13, 263-272. + + Barrasa, J. M. & Checa, J. (1990). Dothideales del Parque Natural de + Monfragüe Cáceres. I. _Boletín Sociedad Micológica de Madrid_ 15, 91-102. + + Barrasa, J. M., Lundqvist, N. & Moreno, G. (1986). Notes on the genus + _Sordaria_ in Spain. _Persoonia_ 13, 83-88. + + Bell, A. & Mahoney, D. P. (1995). Coprophilous fungi in New Zealand. I. + _Podospora_ species with swollen agglutinated perithecial hairs. + _Mycologia_ 87, 375-396. (Key and descriptions of 8 spp.). + + Bezerra, J. L. & Kimbrough, J. W. (1975). The genus _Lasiobolus_ + (Pezizales: Ascomycetes). _Canadian Journal of Botany_ 53, 1206-1229. + (Key and descriptions of 11 spp.). + + Booth, C. (1961). Studies of pyrenomycetes: VI. _Thielavia_ with notes on + some allied genera. _Mycological Paper_ 83. + + Breton, A. & Faurel, L. (1968). Etudes des affinités du genre + _Mycorhynchus_ Sacc. et description de plusieurs especes nouvelles. + _Revue de Mycologie_ 32, 229-258. + + Brummelen, J. van (1962). Studies on Discomycetes--II. On four species of + _Fimaria_. _Persoonia_ 2, 321-330. + + Brummelen, J. van (1962). A World Monograph of the Genera _Ascobolus_ and + _Saccobolus_. _Persoonia_, Supplement VOLUME 1. (Key and descriptions of + 66 spp., and a critical taxonomic treatment). + + Brummelen, J. van (1980). Two species of _Ascobolus_ new to Britain. + _Persoonia_ 11, 87-92. + + Brummelen, J. van (1981). The genus _Ascodesmis_ (Pezizales, + Ascomycetes). _Persoonia_ 11, 333-358. + + Brummelen, J. van (1984). Notes on cup-fungi--2. _Lasiobolus._ + _Persoonia_ 12, 328-334. + + Brummelen, J. van (1986). Notes on cup-fungi--3. On three species of + _Cheilymenia_. _Persoonia_ 13, 89-96. + + Brummelen, J. van (1990). Notes on cup-fungi--4. On two rare species of + _Ascobolus_. _Persoonia_ 14, 203-207. + + Cailleux, R. (1971). Recherches sur la mycoflore coprophile + centrafricaine. Les genres _Sordaria_, _Gelasinospora_, _Bombardia_ + (Biologie, Morphologie, Systématique). _Bulletin trimestriel de la + Société Mycologique de France_ 87, 461-626 + 27 plates. + + Cain, R. F. (1934). Studies of Coprophilous Sphaeriales in Ontario. + _University of Toronto Studies, Biological Series_, No. 38. (Reprinted + 1968 in Bibliotheca Mycologica, Band 9, by Cramer, Lehre). + + Cain, R. F. (1961). Studies of coprophilous Ascomycetes. VII. _Preussia._ + _Canadian Journal of Botany_ 39, 1633-1666. + + Cain, R. F. (1962). Studies of coprophilous Ascomycetes. VIII. New + species of _Podospora_. _Canadian Journal of Botany_ 40, 447-490. + + Cain, R. F. & Kimbrough, J. W. (1969). _Coprobolus_, a new genus of the + tribe Thelebolae (Pezizaceae). _Canadian Journal of Botany_ 47, + 1911-1914. + + Cain, R. F. & Mirza, J. H. (1972). Three new species of _Arnium_. + _Canadian Journal of Botany_ 50, 333-336. + + Cannon, P. F. & Hawksworth, D. L. (1982). A re-evaluation of + _Melanospora_ Corda and similar Pyrenomycetes, with a revision of the + British species. _Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society_ 84, 115-160. + + Cannon, P. F., Hawksworth, D. L. & Sherwood-Pike, M. A. (1985). _The + British Ascomycotina. An Annotated Checklist._ Commonwealth Agricultural + Bureaux, Slough, U. K. + + Cano, J. & Guarro, J. (1990). The genus _Aphanoascus_. _Mycological + Research_ 94, 355-377. (Key to species). + + Currah, R. S. (1988). An annotated key to the genera of the Onygenales. + _Systema Ascomycetum_ 7, 1-12. + + Dennis, R. W. G. (1978). _British Ascomycetes._ J. Cramer, Lehre. (or + earlier edition, 1968 and 1960 (as _British Cup Fungi and their allies_), + The Ray Society, London). (All groups). + + Dissing, H. (1987). Three 4-spored _Saccobolus_ species from north east + Greenland. In _Arctic and Alpine Mycology_ II (ed. G. A. Laursen, J. F. + Ammirati & S. A. Redhead), pp. 79-86. + + Dissing, H. (1989). Four new coprophilous species of _Ascobolus_ and + _Saccobolus_ from Greenland (Pezizales). _Opera Botanica_ 100, 43-50. + + Dissing, H. (1992). Notes on the coprophilous pyrenomycete _Sporormia + fimetaria_. _Persoonia_ 14, 389-394. + + Dissing, H. & Paulsen, M. D. (1976). _Trichophaeopsis tetraspora_, a New + Coprophilous Discomycete from Denmark. _Botanisk Tidsskrift_ 70, 147-151. + + Elliott, M. E. (1967). _Rutstroemia cuniculi_, a coprophilous species of + the Sclerotiniaceae. _Canadian Journal of Botany_ 45, 521-524. + + Guarro, J. & Arx, J. A. von (1987). The Ascomycete genus _Sordaria_. + _Persoonia_ 13, 301-313. (Key to 14 species and checklist). + + Hawksworth, D. L. & Webster, J. (1977). Studies on _Mycorhynchus_ in + Britain. _Transactions of the British Mycological Society_ 68, 329-340. + (Key to 12 spp. and descriptions of some). + + Jain, K. & Cain, R. F. (1973). _Mycoarctium_, a new genus in the + Thelebolaceae. _Canadian Journal of Botany_ 51, 305-307. + + Jeng. R. S., Luck-Allen, E. R. & Cain, R. F. (1977). New species and new + records of _Delitschia_ from Venezuela. _Canadian Journal of Botany_ 55, + 383-392. + + Khan. R. S. & Cain, R. F. (1972). Five new species of _Podospora_ from + East Africa. _Canadian Journal of Botany_ 50, 1649-1661. + + Kimbrough, J. W. (1969). North American species of _Thecotheus_ + (Pezizeae, Pezizaceae). _Mycologia_ 61, 99-114. (Key and description of 5 + spp.). + + Kimbrough, J. W. & Korf. R. P. (1967). A synopsis of the genera and + species of the tribe Thelebolae (Pseudoascobolaceae). _American Journal + of Botany_ 54, 9-23. + + Kimbrough, J. W. & Luck-Allen, E. R. (1974). _Lasiothelebolus_, a new + genus of the Thelebolaceae (Pezizales). _Mycologia_ 66, 588-592. + + Kimbrough, J. W., Luck-Allen, E. R. & Cain, R. F. (1969). _Iodophanus_, + the Pezizeae segregate of Ascophanus (Pezizales). _American Journal of + Botany_ 56, 1187-1202. (Key and description of 10 spp.). + + Kimbrough, J. W., Luck-Allen, E. R. & Cain, R. F. (1972). North American + species of _Coprotus_ (Thelebolaceae: Pezizales). _Canadian Journal of + Botany_ 50, 957-972. (Key and description of 18 spp.). + + Krug, J. C. (1973). An enlarged concept of _Trichobolus_ (Thelebolaceae, + Pezizales) based on a new eight-spored species. _Canadian Journal of + Botany_ 51, 1497-1501. (With key to 4 spp.). + + Krug, J. C. (1995). The genus _Fimetariella_. _Canadian Journal of + Botany_ 73, 1905-1916. (With key to 8 spp.). + + Krug, J. C. & Cain, R. F. (1972). Additions to the genus _Arnium_. + _Canadian Journal of Botany_ 50, 367-373. (Key to 25 spp.). + + Krug, J. C. & Cain, R. F. (1974). A preliminary treatment of the genus + _Podosordaria_. _Canadian Journal of Botany_ 52, 589-605. (Key and + descriptions of 10 spp.). + + Krug, J. C. & Cain, R. F. (1974). New species of _Hypocopra_ + (Xylariaceae). _Canadian Journal of Botany_ 52, 809-843. (Descriptions + and synoptic key to 30 spp.). + + Krug, J. C. & Scott, J. A. (1994). The genus _Bombardioidea_. _Canadian + Journal of Botany_ 72, 1302-1310. (Description and key to 4 spp.). + + Larsen, K. (1970). The Genus _Saccobolus_ in Denmark. _Botanisk + Tidsskrift_ 65, 371-389. + + Larsen, K. (1971). Danish Endocoprophilous Fungi and Their Sequence of + Occurrence. _Botanisk Tidsskrift_ 66, 1-32. + + Lohmeyer, T. R. & Benkert, D. (1988). _Poronia erici_--eine neue Art der + Xylariales (Ascomycetes). _Zeitschrift fur Mykologie_ 54, 93-102. + + Luck-Allen, E. R. & Cain, R. F. (1975). Additions to the genus + _Delitschia_. _Canadian Journal of Botany_ 53, 1827-1887. (Key to 46 spp. + and descriptions/illustrations of most). + + Lundqvist, N. (1967). On spore ornamentation in the Sordariaceae, + exemplified by the new cleistocarpous genus _Copromyces_. _Arkiv för + Botanik,_ Series 2. 6(7), 327-337. + + Lundqvist, N. (1969). _Zygopleurage_ and _Zygospermella_ (Sordariaceae s. + lat., Pyrenomycetes). _Botaniska Notiser_ 122, 353-374. + + Lundqvist, N. (1970). New Podosporae (Sordariaceae s. lat., + Pyrenomycetes). _Svensk Botanisk Tidskrift_ 64, 409-420. + + Lundqvist, N. (1972). Nordic Sordariaceae s. lat. _Symbolae Botanicae + Upsalienses_ XX. 1. 1-314. (Keys and descriptions of _ca_ 100 spp., and + critical taxonomic discussion). + + Lundqvist, N. (1980). On the genus _Pyxidiophora_ sensu lato + (Pyrenomycetes). _Botaniska Notiser_ 133, 121-144. + + Lundqvist, N. (1980). _Wawelia effusa_ Lundqvist, spec. nov. + (Xylariaceae). _Persoonia_ 14, 417-423. + + Malloch, D. & Cain, R. F. (1970). The genus _Arachnomyces_. _Canadian + Journal of Botany_ 48, 839-845. + + Malloch, D. & Cain, R. F. (1970). Five new genera in the new family of + Pseudeurotiaceae. _Canadian Journal of Botany_ 48, 1815-1825. + + Malloch, D. & Cain, R. F. (1971). New genera of the Onygenaceae. + _Canadian Journal of Botany_ 49, 839-846. + + Malloch, D. & Cain, R. F. (1971). Four new genera of cleistothecial + Ascomycetes with hyaline ascospores. _Canadian Journal of Botany_ 49, + 847-854. + + Malloch, D. & Cain, R. F. (1971). New cleistothecial Sordariaceae and a + new family, Coniochaetaceae. _Canadian Journal of Botany_ 49, 869-880. + + Malloch, D. & Cain, R. F. (1972). New species and combinations of + cleistothecial Ascomycetes. _Canadian Journal of Botany_ 50, 61-72. + + Minter, D. W. & Webster, J. (1983). _Wawelia octospora_ sp. nov., a + xerophilous and coprophilous member of the Xylariaceae. _Transactions of + the British Mycological Society_ 80, 370-373. + + Mirza, J. H. & Cain, R. F. (1969). Revision of the genus _Podospora_. + _Canadian Journal of Botany_ 47, 1999-2048. + + Moravec, J. (1990). A taxonomic revision of the genus _Cheilymenia_--3. A + new generic and infrageneric classification of _Cheilymenia_ in a new + emendation. _Mycotaxon_ 38, 459-484. (Synopsis of genus, including + _Coprobia_). + + Moravec, J. (1993). A taxonomic revision of the genus _Cheilymenia_--5. + The section _Cheilymenia_. _Czech Mycology_ 47, 7-37. + + Moreau, C. (1953) Les Genres _Sordaria_ et _Pleurage_. _Encyclopédie + mycologique_ 25, 1-330. (_Sordaria_ and _Pleurage_ + (=_Podospora_/_Schizothecium_), and _Coniochaeta_, _Hypocopra_, + _Sporormiella_, _Trichodelitschia_, and other pyrenomycetes for + comparison). + + Munk, A. (1957). Danish Pyrenomycetes. _Dansk Botanisk Arkiv_ 17(1), + 1-491. + + Orr, G. F. & Kuehn, H. H. (1971). Notes on Gymnoascaceae. I. A review of + eight species. _Mycologia_ 63, 191-203. + + Orr, G. F., Kuehn, H. H. & Plunkett, O. A. (1963). A new genus of the + Gymnoascaceae with swollen peridial septa. _Canadian Journal of Botany_ + 41, 1439-1456. (Key to _Auxarthron_ (_Gymnoascus_) species). + + Orr, G. F., Kuehn, H. H. & Plunkett, O. A. (1971). The genus + _Myxotrichum_ Kunze. _Canadian Journal of Botany_ 41, 1457-1480. (Key to + species). + + Paulsen, M. D. & Dissing, H. (1979). The genus _Ascobolus_ in Denmark, + _Botanisk Tidsskrift_ 74, 67-78. + + Rehm, H. (1887-1895). Ascomyceten: Hysteriaceen und Discomyceten. Vol. 1, + Abt. 3 of _Rabenhorst's Kryptogamen-Flora_. (Discomycetes). + + Renny, J. (1874). New species of the genus _Ascobolus_. _Journal of + Botany_ 12, 353-357 and 4 plates. (Description and illustration of 6 + _Ascozonus_ spp.). + + Richardson, M. J. (1972). Coprophilous ascomycetes on different dung + types. _Transactions of the British Mycological Society_ 58, 37-48. + + Samson, R. A. (1972). Notes on _Pseudogymnoascus_, _Gymnoascus_ and + related genera. _Acta botanica neerlandica_ 21, 517-527. + + Seth, H. K. (1970). The genus _Lophotrichus_ Benjamin. _Nova Hedwigia_ + 19, 591-599. + + Valldosera, M. & Guarro, J. (1987). Estudios sobre hongos copróphilos + aislados en España. VI. Ascomycetes. _Boletín Sociedad Micológica de + Madrid_ 12, 51-56. + + Valldosera, M. & Guarro, J. (1988). Some coprophilous ascomycetes from + Chile. _Transactions of the British Mycological Society_ 90, 601-605. + + Valldosera, M. & Guarro, J. (1989). Estudios sobre hongos copróphilos + aislados en España. XI. Ascomycetes. _Boletín Sociedad Micológica de + Madrid_ 14, 75-80. + + Valldosera, M. & Guarro, J. (1989). Estudios sobre hongos copróphilos + aislados en España. XV. El género _Preussia_ (_Sporormiella_). _Boletín + Sociedad Micológica de Madrid_ 14, 81-94. + + Valldosera, M. & Guarro, J. (1992). Estudios sobre hongos copróphilos en + España. XVII. Ascomycotina. _Boletín Sociedad Micológica de Madrid_ 17, + 19-37. + + Valldosera, M. & Guarro, J. (1992). Estudios sobre hongos copróphilos + aislados en España. XVIII. Bibliographic catalogue of Ascomycotina. + _Boletín Sociedad Micológica de Madrid_ 17, 39-55. + + Valldosera, M., Guarro, J. & Figueras, M. J. (1991). Two interesting + coprophilous fungi from Spain. _Mycological Research_ 95, 243-246. + + Winter, G. (1884-1887). Ascomyceten: Gymnoasceen und Pyrenomyceten. VOL. + 1, Abt. 2 of _Rabenhorst's Kryptogamen-Flora_. (Pyrenomycetes). + + Yao, Y-J. (1996). Notes on British species of _Lasiobolus_. _Mycological + Research_ 100, 737-739. + + Yao, Y-J. & Spooner, B. M. (1996). Notes on British species of + _Cheilymenia_. _Mycological Research_ 100, 361-367. + + BASIDIOMYCETE REFERENCES + + Moser, M. (1978), in Gams, H. (ed.). _Kleine Kryptogamenflora von + Mitteleuropa._ Fischer Verlag. + + Moser, M. (1983). _Keys to Agarics and Boleti_ (English translation by S. + Plant). Roger Phillips, London. + + Orton, P. D. & Watling, R. (1979). _British Fungus Flora: Coprinus._ Her + Majesty's Stationery Office, Edinburgh. + + Phillips, R. (1981). _Mushrooms and other fungi of Great Britain and + Europe._ Pan Books, London. + + Watling, R. (1982). _British Fungus Flora: Bolbitiaceae._ Her Majesty's + Stationery Office, Edinburgh. + + PHYCOMYCETE REFERENCES + + Benjamin, R. K. (1959). The merosporangiferous Mucorales. _Aliso_ 4, + 321-433. + + Benjamin, R. K. (1961). Addenda to the merosporangiferous Mucorales. + _Aliso_ 5, 11-19. + + Benjamin, R. K. (1963). Addenda to the merosporangiferous Mucorales. + _Aliso_ 5, 273-288. + + Benjamin, R. K. (1965). Addenda to the merosporangiferous Mucorales. + _Aliso_ 6, 1-10. (The 4 papers above are an excellent account of + _Syncephalis_, _Piptocephalis_, _Coemansia_ and other unusual allied + phycomycetes, republished (1967) as _Bibliotheca Mycologica_ 5 by J. + Cramer, Lehre). + + Gams, W. & Moreau, R. (1959). Le genre _Mortierella_. _Annales + scientifiques de l'Université de Besançon_, Series 2 3, 95-105. + + Hesseltine, C. W. (1955). Genera of Mucorales with a note on their + synonymy. _Mycologia_ 47, 344-363. (With good key; many other papers by + Hesseltine, with others, in _Mycologia_, _American Journal of Botany_, + _American Midland Naturalist_ and _Lloydia_). + + Ingold, C. T. & Zoberi, M. H. (1963). The asexual apparatus of Mucorales + in relation to spore liberation. _Transactions of the British Mycological + Society_ 46, 115-134. + + Naumov, N. A. (1939). Clés des Mucorinées. _Encyclopédie mycologique_ 9, + 1-137. + + Zycha, H., Siepmann, R. & Linneman, G. (1969). _Mucorales._ J. Cramer, + Lehre. (A revision of Zycha, 1935). + + GENERAL REFERENCES + + Bell, A. (1983). _Dung Fungi: an illustrated guide to coprophilous fungi + in New Zealand._ Victoria University Press, Wellington. + + Bon, M. (1987). _The Mushrooms and Toadstools of Britain and + North-western Europe._ Hodder & Stoughton, London. + + Cacialli, G., Caroti, V. & Doveri, F. (1995). _Funghi fimicoli e rari o + interssanti del litorale Toscano._ Schede di Micologia VOL. 1. Fondazione + Centro Studi Micologici Dell' A. M. B., Vicenza, Italy. + + Domsch, K. H., Gams, W. & Anderson, T. H. (1980). _Compendium of soil + fungi._ Academic Press, New York. + + Ellis, M. B. & Ellis, J. P. (1988). _Microfungi on Miscellaneous + Substrates._ Croom Helm, London & Sydney. + + Gilman, J. C. (1957). _A Manual of Soil Fungi._ Iowa State College Press. + + Eliasson, U. & Lundqvist, N. (1979). Fimicolous Myxomycetes. _Botaniska + Notiser_ 132, 551-568. (A list of 34 spp., with some descriptions and + illustrations). + + Hawksworth, D. L., Kirk, P. M., Sutton, B. C. & Pegler, D. N. (1995). + _Ainsworth & Bisby's Dictionary of the Fungi._ 8th edn. CAB + International, Wallingford. + + Holden, M. (ed) (1982). Guide to the literature for the identification of + British fungi, 4th Edition. _Bulletin of the British Mycological Society_ + 16, 36-55; 92-112. + + Massee, G., & Salmon, E. S. (1901). Researches on coprophilous fungi. + _Annals of Botany, London_ 15, 313-357. + + Seifert, K. A., Kendrick, W. B. & Murase, G. (1983). _A key to + hyphomycetes on dung._ University of Waterloo Biology Series No. 27. + + Webster, J. (1970). Coprophilous Fungi. _Transactions of the British + Mycological Society_ 54, 161-180. + + + + +Key 1. Ascomycota + + + + 1 Ascoma either globose to flask shaped, usually with an + easily observable pore or neck (PERITHECIUM or + PSEUDOTHECIUM, figs 16, 18, 19, 22, 27, 30, 32, 34-37), + or discoid (APOTHECIUM, figs 1, 3, 4, 7, 11-14). Spores + usually 8 in each ascus (less frequently 4, 16, 32, 64, + 128 etc.). Asci ellipsoid to cylindrical, borne in a + distinct hymenium, thus appearing in fascicles or + distinct groups when the fruit body is squashed. 2 + - Ascoma globose to subglobose, lacking a definite pore + or neck (CLEISTOTHECIUM or GYMNOTHECIUM, figs 38, 39, + 46). Asci globose to subglobose, 8-spored, not in a + distinct hymenium, appearing quite free when the fruit body + is squashed. KEY 2, 148 (p. 45) + + 2(1) Ascoma a PERITHECIUM or PSEUDOTHECIUM, usually dark in + some part, not opening to a disc but remaining globose + or flask shaped. Asci unitunicate, not operculate but + often with an apical pore, which may stain blue in + iodine, or bitunicate. KEY 2, 1 (p. 24) + - Ascoma an APOTHECIUM, white or lightly coloured, soft + fleshed, opening out to a disc or cushion shape when + mature. Asci unitunicate. 3 + + 3(2) Asci opening by an operculum (fig. 8), a bilabiate + vertical split down to a subapical ring of thickening + (fig. 15), or apparently just bursting. 4 + - Asci inoperculate, with an apical pore. 96 + + 4(3) Spores 8 (occasionally 4) in an ascus, colourless, + purple or brown. 5 + - Spores more than 8 in an ascus, colourless. 77 + + 5(4) Spores remaining colourless. 6 + - Spores purple or brown at maturity. 39 + + 6(5) Apothecia with obvious hairs. 7 + - Apothecia without obvious hairs (microscopic hairs up to + 50µm long may be present). 14 + + 7(6) Hairs brown. Apothecia orange, red orange or yellow + orange. (_Cheilymenia_, fig. 1) 8 + - Hairs colourless. Apothecia colourless or pinkish. + (_Lasiobolus_, fig. 3) 12 + + 8(7) Apothecia with stellate hairs. Spores 14-20 × 8-11µm. + _Cheilymenia stercorea_ (figs 1, 2) + - Apothecia without stellate hairs. 9 + + 9(8) Spores 14.5-18 × 8-9.5µm. Asci 10-13µm diam. Apothecia + 2mm diam. or more. _Cheilymenia coprinaria_ + - Spores larger, 17 × 10µm or more. 10 + + 10(9) Apothecia reddish orange, up to 1mm diam., marginal + hairs rooting, wall 2-4µm thick. Spores 21-26 × + 10-13.8µm. _Cheilymenia fimicola_ + - Apothecia pale orange yellow, marginal hairs + superficial, wall up to 2µm thick. 11 + + 11(10) Asci up to 22µm diam. Spores 17-27 × 10-14.5µm. + _Cheilymenia pulcherrima_ + - Asci wider, 25µm diam. or more. Spores 23-26.5 × 13-16.5µm. + _Cheilymenia raripila_ + +[Illustration: FIG. 1. _Cheilymenia stercorea_, apothecium.] + +[Illustration: FIG. 2. _C. stercorea_, stellate and rooted hairs.] + +[Illustration: FIG. 3. _Lasiobolus ciliatus_, apothecium.] + +[Illustration: FIG. 4. _Iodophanus carneus_, apothecium and spore.] + + 12(7) Hairs 600µm or longer. Spores 19-23 × 7-10µm. + _Lasiobolus macrotrichus_ + - Hairs shorter, up to 600µm. 13 + + 13(12) Asci clavate, 20µm diam. or wider. Spores 19-22 × + 10.5-13.5µm. _Lasiobolus cuniculi_ + - Asci cylindrical, up to 20µm diam. Spores 18-22.5 × + 9.5-11.5µm. _Lasiobolus ciliatus_ (fig. 3) + + 14(6) Asci blue in iodine solution. 15 + - Asci not blue in iodine. 24 + + 15(14) Spores large, 30-42 × 15-18µm, warted, ellipsoid with + acute apices. _Thecotheus cinereus_ + - Spores smaller, smooth or only finely ornamented 16 + + 16(15) Apothecia brownish, large, 1cm diam. or more. (_Peziza_) 21 + - Apothecia pale, up to 4mm diam. Asci protruding from + hymenium when ripe. 17 + + 17(16) Apothecia white to pink, up to 2mm diam. Spores finely + verruculose, 18-25 × 8-14µm. _Iodophanus carneus_ (fig. 4) + - Apothecia pale, variously coloured when fresh, but drying + darker. Spores smooth. (_Thecotheus_) 18 + + 18(17) Spores apiculate at each end, smooth. 19 + - Spores not apiculate, 20-22 × 8-10µm. _Thecotheus agranulosus_ + + 19(18) Spores with a collar at the base of the apiculus. 20 + - Spores without a collar at the base of the apiculus, + 16-21 × 8-12µm. _Thecotheus apiculatus_ + + 20(19) Apothecia white. Spores 20-22 × 10-12µm, apiculus + 4-6µm diam. _Thecotheus perplexans_ + - Apothecia yellowish. Spores 12-15 × 7.5-9µm, apiculus + 2.5-3.5µm diam. _Thecotheus africanus_ + + 21(16) Spores smooth, without guttules. 22 + - Spores verruculose or spinulose, 15-18 × 8-9µm, with 1 + guttule. Paraphyses with clavate apices, with brown + contents. Apothecia asymmetrical, extended on one side. + _Peziza pleurota_ + + 22(21) Spores 19-24 × 10.5-14µm. Apothecia yellowish brown, + up to 10cm diam. _Peziza vesiculosa_ + - Spores up to 10µm wide. 23 + + 23(22) Apothecia ca 1cm diam., umber with a paler margin. + Spores 15-22 × 9-10µm. _Peziza bovina_ + - Apothecia up to 2cm diam., pale brown. Spores 13-16 + × 7-9µm. _Peziza fimeti_ + + 24(14) Apothecia robust, up to 4mm diam., orange or with brownish + or purple tints. 25 + - Apothecia smaller, rarely more than 1mm, pale, yellowish + green, orange, grey or chestnut. 32 + + 25(24) Apothecia orange or red. 26 + - Apothecia discrete, brownish or purple. (_Fimaria_) 27 + + 26(25) Apothecia crowded, 1-3mm diam., orange, with a granular + surface. Asci up to 190 × 15µm. Spores 15-18.5 × + 7-9.5µm. Paraphyses strongly clavate to apex up to 14µm + diam, filled with orange granules. _Coprobia granulata_ + - Apothecia discrete, 1-2mm diam., orange or red. Asci + 240 × 10-12µm. Spores 12-15 × 7-8µm. Paraphyses yellow, + only slightly swollen from 2µm to 3-4µm at apex. + _Ascophanus bresadolae_ + + 27(25) Spores 8-9.5 × 4-4.5µm. _Fimaria equina_ + - Spores larger. 28 + + 28(27) Spores 20-38 × 10-13µm. _Fimaria hepatica_ + - Spores shorter. 29 + + 29(28) Spores 10-13 × 7-9µm. _Fimaria porcina_ + - Spores 13-17 × 7-11µm. 30 + + 30(29) Disc punctate with asci. Paraphysis tips swollen up to + 3-5µm. Spores 14.5-16 × 9.5-11µm. _Fimaria leporum_ + - Disc not punctate with asci. Paraphysis tips not or + only slightly swollen. 31 + + 31(30) Apothecia pale yellowish. Spores 13-15.5 × 7.5-8.5µm. + _Fimaria theioleuca_ + - Apothecia chestnut/purplish brown. Spores 14-17 × + 7-8.5µm. _Fimaria cervaria_ + + 32(24) Spores less than 10µm long. 33 + - Spores mostly longer than 10µm. 36 + + 33(32) Paraphyses markedly capitate to 5-6µm, with yellowish + green contents. Apothecia dull at first, yellowish at + maturity. Spores 7-10 × 2-4.5µm. + _Thelebolus microsporus_ (fig. 5) + - Paraphyses only slightly inflated above, without + coloured contents. Apothecia whitish or grey. 34 + + 34(33) Spores 5-7 × 3-4µm. Asci 38-42 × 6-7µm. Apothecia smoky + grey, 0.3-0.4mm diam. _Ascophanus cinerellus_ + - Spores larger. Apothecia pale, white or yellowish. 35 + + 35(34) Apothecia up to 1.2mm diam. Asci short stalked, 40-55 × + 8-12µm. Spores 7.5-9 × 4.5-5.5µm. _Coprotus glaucellus_ + - Apothecia 0.2-0.5mm diam. Asci attenuate below, 65-85 × + 10-15µm. Spores 8-10 × 5-6.5µm. _Coprotus lacteus_ + + 36(32) Apothecia chestnut brown up to 1mm diam. Asci 160 × + 13µm. Spores 13-16 x 8-11µm. Paraphyses forked, with + swollen tips. _Ascophanus misturae_ + - Apothecia lighter coloured. Asci less than 150µm long. 37 + + 37(36) Spores 14-18 × 9-11µm. Apothecia pale yellow/orange, up + to 1.5mm diam. Asci cylindrical, 110-150 × 12-15µm. + Paraphyses yellowish, slightly inflated to 4-5µm at + apices. _Coprotus ochraceus_ + - Spores less than 15µm long. Apothecia up to 0.6mm diam. + Asci less than 100µm long. 38 + +[Illustration: FIG. 5. _Thelebolus microsporus_, ascus and paraphysis.] + +[Illustration: FIG. 6. _Ascodesmis microscopica_, ascospores.] + + 38(37) Apothecia bright yellow. Asci cylindrical clavate, + attenuate below, 65-90 × 10-15µm. Spores 12-14 × + 6-8.5µm. Paraphyses branched, apices inflated to + 4-5µm, with yellow contents. _Coprotus aurorus_ + - Apothecia white/pale yellow, with darker margin. Asci + broadly clavate, stalked below 40-55 × 15-30µm. + Spores 9-15 × 6.5-9.5µm. Paraphyses inflated above to + 5-8µm, hyaline. _Coprotus granuliformis_ + + 39(5) Spores spherical or broadly ellipsoid, brown, ornamented + with warts, anastomosing ridges or a reticulum. Asci + clavate. Apothecium without excipulum. + (_Ascodesmis_, fig. 6) 40 + - Spores ellipsoid or spherical, hyaline at first, then + purple, becoming brown at maturity; epispore smooth, + finely verruculose, warted or cracked. Asci cylindrical. + Excipulum present. 45 + + 40(39) Spores 18-21.5 × 13.5-17.5µm. _Ascodesmis macrospora_ + - Spores up to 16µm. 41 + + 41(40) Spores ± spherical, L/B ratio mostly up to 1.2. 42 + - Spores ± broadly ellipsoidal, L/B ratio mostly 1.2 or more. 43 + + 42(41) Spores ornamented with round warts, 8.5-11 × 8.3-10µm. + _Ascodesmis nana_ + - Spores ornamented with a network of ridges, 10.5-14 × + 9-12µm. _Ascodesmis sphaerospora_ + + 43(41) Spores with a prominent reticulum of ridges (fig. 6), + 11-15.5 × 8-13.5µm. Apothecia 150-300µm diam. + _Ascodesmis microscopica_ (fig. 6) + - Spore ornament not a reticulum. 44 + + 44(43) Spores with 1 simple or branched ridge and isolated or + occasionally connected warts, 11-14.5 × 7-11.5µm. + Apothecia up to 500µm diam. _Ascodesmis porcina_ + - Spores with isolated warts, some joined to form short + ridges, but not a reticulum, often capitate, 9.5-12.5 + × 7.5-10µm. Apothecia 50-150µm diam. _Ascodesmis nigricans_ + + 45(39) Spores separate in the ascus. (_Ascobolus_) 46 + - Spores firmly joined together, both in the ascus and + after ejection (fig. 10). (_Saccabolus_) 66 + + 46(45) Spores spherical. 47 + - Spores ellipsoid. 48 + + 47(46) Spores 10.5-13.5µm, epispore with numerous but isolated + warts. _Ascobolus brassicae_ (figs 8, 9) + - Spores 11.5-13.5(15)µm, epispore with subparallel + occasionally anastomosing lines. _Ascobolus crosslandii_ + + 48(46) Spores very large, mostly 50-70 × 25-35µm, almost oblong + with rounded ends, typically with few cracks in the + epispore. _Ascobolus immersus_ (figs 7, 9) + - Spores smaller, with epispore smooth, warted or with cracks. + 49 + + 49(48) Epispore strongly and irregularly wrinkled with a + vesiculose layer of pigment, 11.6-16 × 6.5-9.3µm. + Paraphyses capitate up to 18µm. Apothecia up to 0.6mm + diam. _Ascobolus rhytidiosporus_ + - Epispore not strongly wrinkled/vesiculose. 50 + + 50(49) Epispore basically smooth or warted, perhaps with a few + irregular cracks. 51 + - Epispore with a clear pattern of cracks or lines. 56 + +[Illustration: FIG. 7. Apothecia of, from left, _Ascobolus furfuraceus_, +_A. immersus_ and _A. albidus_.] + +[Illustration: FIG. 8. _A. brassicae_, ascus with spores and detail of +operculum.] + +[Illustration: FIG. 9. Ascospores of, clockwise from left, _A. immersus_, +_A. stictoideus_, _A. albidus_, _A. brassicae_ and _A. crenulatus_.] + + 51(50) Spores up to 25µm long. 52 + - Spores longer, 25µm or more. 54 + + 52(51) Epispore smooth, finely granular or punctate. Gelatinous + material unilateral, not surrounding spore. 53 + - Epispore warted, spores 18.5-21(22.5) × (9)10-11.5µm, + surrounded by gelatinous sheath. _Ascobolus hawaiiensis_ + + 53(52) Spores 18-24 × 10-13µm. Hymenial mucus greenish yellow. + Excipulum not brown. _Ascobolus mancus_ + - Spores 20-25 × 11-13µm. Hymenial mucus sulphur yellow. + Excipulum with rich brown intercellular pigment. + _Ascobolus boudieri_ + + 54(51) Epispore smooth or finely granular, spores 23-29(32) + × 12-17µm. _Ascobolus elegans_ + - Epispore warted. 55 + + 55(54) Spores with a regular pattern of warts and intact + epispore, 26-32 × 15-17.5µm. + _Ascobolus stictoideus_ (fig. 9) + - Spores with irregular patches of thicker pigment, + especially at the poles, 28-35 × 16-18µm. + _Ascobolus degluptus_ + + 56(50) Spores mostly 18 × 10µm or larger. 57 + - Spores mostly smaller than 20 × 10µm. 61 + + 57(56) Apothecia small, mostly up to 1mm diam., colourless. + Spores 20-35 × 11-14µm, epispore cracks distant, + irregular, often anastomosing. + _Ascobolus albidus_ (figs 7, 9) + - Apothecia larger, usually 1mm diam. or more, disc + yellowish, greenish, purplish or brownish. 58 + + 58(57) Apothecia crowded, purplish or purplish brown with + intercellular pigment. Spores 18-28 × 10-12µm, with + longitudinal anastomosing cracks. + _Ascobolus roseopurpurascens_ + + - Apothecia yellowish or greenish. 59 + + 59(58) Spores 17-22 × 9.5-12µm with a few widely spaced and + irregularly oriented cracks. _Ascobolus michaudii_ + - Spores with closely spaced, ± longitudinal, cracks, with + varying degrees of anastomosis. 60 + + 60(59) Apothecia furfuraceous, sessile. Ascus wall blue in + iodine. Spores 19-28 × 10-14µm. + _Ascobolus furfuraceus_ (fig. 7) + - Apothecia smooth, substipitate. Ascus wall only faintly + blue in iodine. Spores 19-22 × 9.5-13µm. + _Ascobolus perplexans_ + + 61(56) Apothecia large, stipitate, 5-10mm diam. Spores 16-19.5 + × 8.5-10µm, with subparallel, longitudinal, only rarely + anastomosing lines. _Ascobolus lignatilis_ + - Apothecia up to 2mm diam. 62 + + 62(61) Apothecia white. 63 + - Apothecia yellow, green or brownish. 64 + + 63(62) Spores 13-17 × 7.5-8.5µm, with a coarse reticulum of fine + cracks when mature. Only recorded on grouse, capercaillie + etc. (Tetraonidae) dung. _Ascobolus carletonii_ + - Spores 16-20 × 8-10µm, with a pattern of longitudinal + anastomosing cracks. Only recorded on deer dung. + _Ascobolus sacchariferus_ + + 64(62) Spores 14.5-16 × 8-9µm, epispore lines not densely + crowded. _Ascobolus cervinus_ + - Spores smaller, epispore with densely crowded, rarely + anastomosing cracks. 65 + + 65(64) Apothecia greenish yellow, furfuraceous, with crenulate + margin. Spores 9.5-15 × 6-8µm. + _Ascobolus crenulatus_ (fig. 9) + - Apothecia brownish yellow to brown, smooth, with + undifferentiated margin. Spores 12.5-14.5 × 7-8.5µm. + _Ascobolus minutus_ + + 66(45) Asci 4-spored. Spore clusters 42-58 × 14-20µm. Spores + 16.5-23 × 9.5-12µm, smooth to finely punctate, but with + a thick cap or girdle of reticulated or warted pigment. + _Saccobolus quadrisporus_ + - Asci 8-spored. 67 + + 67(66) Spore clusters ± globular, 17-26(39) × 15-20µm. 68 + - Spore clusters elongated, 2-3 times as long as wide. 69 + + 68(67) Spore clusters compact, subglobose, with only the + exposed surface of spores pigmented, ornamented with + small and coarse warts. _Saccobolus dilutellus_ + - Spores loosely united in cluster, ornamented with + small isolated warts covering most of their surface. + _Saccobolus globuliferellus_ + + 69(67) Apothecia yellow. Spores in 4 rows of 2 longitudinally + arranged spores (fig. 10). 70 + - Apothecia hyaline or violaceous (some mature darker). + Spores in 2 rows of 3 and 1 row of 2 (fig. 10). 73 + + 70(69) Spore clusters 40µm or longer. 71 + - Spore clusters up to 40µm long. 72 + + 71(70) Spore clusters 50-71 × 16-25µm. Spores 22-29 × + 8.5-14.5µm, smooth or rarely finely punctate, with + distant irregular cracks. _Saccobolus glaber_ (fig. 10) + - Spore clusters 43-51 × 14-17µm. Spores 16-22 × 7.5-9µm, + with fine isolated warts. _Saccobolus citrinus_ + + 72(70) Spores 14-17.5(19.5) × 7.5-8.5(10)µm, easily separated + at maturity. Spore clusters becoming shorter and more + rounded with maturity. Apothecia up to 300µm diam., + inconspicuous due to their solitary nature and the + predominantly brownish colour due to the mature spores. + _Saccobolus truncatus_ (fig. 10) + - Spores 11.5-13.5 × 5.5-6.5µm. _Saccobolus minimus_ + + 73(69) Apothecia white, covered with tapering squamules + composed of septate hyphae. Spore clusters 38-43 × + 15-17µm. Spores 16-17.5 × 7-8.5µm, smooth or finely + punctate. _Saccobolus caesariatus_ + - Apothecia not white, without tapering scales. 74 + + 74(73) Spore clusters mostly over 40µm long. 75 + - Spore clusters mostly under 40µm long. 76 + + 75(74) Spore clusters 38-62 × 14-19µm. Spores 13-21.5 × + 6.5-9.5µm, smooth, finely warted or with reticulate + cracks. Apothecia 0.2-2mm diam. + _Saccobolus versicolor_ (fig. 10) + - Spore clusters 42-60 × 18-24µm. Spores very coarsely + warted, 17.5-23 × 8.5-10µm (inc. warts). _Saccobolus beckii_ + +[Illustration: FIG. 10. Spore clusters of, from left, _Saccobolus +versicolor_, _S. glaber_ and _S. truncatus_.] + + 76(74) Spore clusters compact, 26-43 × 13-19µm. Spores 13.5-18 + × 7.5-9.5µm, epispore with fine or coarse warts. + Apothecia 0.3-0.8mm diam. _Saccobolus obscurus_ + - Spore clusters elongated, 28-37 × 10-13µm. Spores + 10-14.5 × 5-7.5µm, epispore smooth or very finely + granular. Apothecia 0.1-0.3mm diam. + _Saccobolus depauperatus_ + + 77(4) Asci operculate or bursting, without a subapical ring. + Spores ellipsoid. 78 + - Apothecia white, often minutely hairy at the margin. + Ascus dehiscing by a vertical slit; the slit is + prevented from running right down the ascus by a + subapical ring of thickening. Spores ellipsoid-fusiform. + (_Ascozonus_, figs 14, 15) 90 + + 78(77) Asci 16-spored. Spores ellipsoid, 11-16 × 7-10µm. + _Coprotus sexdecemsporus_ + - Asci more than 16-spored. 79 + + 79(78) Asci 32-spored. 80 + - Asci more than 32-spored. 84 + + 80(79) Asci very large, nearly 0.5mm long, spores 30-35 × + 13-17µm (32-40 × 20-24µm in Kimbrough, 1969). Apothecia + pale coloured. _Thecotheus pelletieri_ + - Asci and spores smaller. 81 + + 81(80) Spores 10µm or longer. 83 + - Spores up to 10µm long. 82 + + 82(81) Spores ellipsoid, with minute scattered warts visible + under oil-immersion, 7-9 × 4-4.5µm. Apothecia densely + crowded, 90-120µm diam., with 8-13 asci. Asci 32-55 + × 16-18µm with (24-)32 spores. Paraphyses 1.5-2µm, + clavate to 4-4.5µm. _Thelebolus caninus_ + - Spores subacute at apices, ca 6 × 4µm (described as + 'minute'; this value is suggested by Boudier's comparison + with _R. dubius_, for which measurements are given). + Apothecia densely crowded, tawny yellowish-brown. + _Ryparobius brunneus_ + + 83(81) Spores 10-12.5 × 5-7.5µm. Asci clavate, 75-100 × + 20-30µm. Paraphyses enlarged to 6µm at apex. + _Coprotus albidus_ + - Spores 13.5-17.5 × 7-8µm. Asci 10-15 per apothecium, + 120-175 × 50-75µm. Paraphyses filiform. + _Coprotus rhyparobioides_ + + 84(79) Asci with up to 64 spores. 85 + - Asci with many more than 64 spores--impractical to count. 86 + + 85(84) Asci 64-spored, broad clavate with short stalk, 80-130 + × 30-60µm. Spores 8-12 × 4-7µm. _Coprotus niveus_ + - Asci broadly clavate with up to 64 spores, 60-100 × + 20-30µm. Spores 7-10 × 4.5-5.5µm. Apothecia superficial, + on the surface of the substrate, yellowish brown, + gregarious, united into a crust. _Thelebolus crustaceus_ + + 86(84) Apothecia superficial, 400-600µm diam., with prominent, + acuminate, superficial, 1-2-septate hairs, 80-190µm + long, often roughened towards their apex, with one + 1000+-spored ascus, 110-240 × 15-27µm. Spores very + variable, 6.5-16 × 3.7-8.8µm (mostly 7.5-13 × 4.5-7µm). + _Lasiobolus monascus_ + - Apothecia minute, rarely above 350µm diam., globose and + immersed in substrate when young. Asci broad globose, + with 100-200 spores. Usually only 1-3 asci in each + apothecium, which dehisce by bursting at the apex. 87 + (Other _Ryparobius_ spp. will key out here [e.g. _R. dubius_, + _R. myriosporus_, _R. pachyascus_ and _R. + polysporus_]. They all have scattered to gregarious, + immersed to semi-immersed apothecia 100-200µm diam., + with relatively few asci, each with 100-250 ellipsoid + to subacuminate ca 5-7 × 3-4µm spores. There are + insufficient modern observations to allow their + identification and separation with confidence). + + 87(86) Apothecia with a few, but obvious, setae. Spores 9 × 7µm + or larger. 88 + - Apothecia without setae. Spores ellipsoid, 6-9 × 3.5-4µm. 89 + + 88(87) Spores ellipsoid, 9-11 × 7-9µm. Setae up to 600µm long. + _Trichobolus zukalii_ + - Spores subglobose, 11-12 × 10-11µm. Setae up to 300µm long. + _Trichobolus sphaerosporus_ (fig. 11) + + 89(87) Apothecia and asci large, 170-250µm diam. + _Thelebolus stercoreus_ (fig. 12) + - Apothecia and asci small, rarely above 80-90µm diam. + _Thelebolus nanus_ (fig. 13) + + 90(77) Asci 16(-24)-spored. Spores not closely aggregated into + an imbricated mass, 13-14 × 6µm (8-9 × 4µm)[1]. + Apothecial hairs rough, subulate. _Ascozonus parvisporus_ + - Asci with 32 or more spores. 91 + + + 91(90) Asci 32-spored. Spores 16.5-18 × 4.5-5µm (11-12 × + 3-3.5µm)[1]. Apothecia with a single row of sharp, + pointed, roughened hairs. _Ascozonus crouanii_ + - Asci more than 32-spored. 92 + + 92(91) Asci 48-spored. Spores spindle-shaped, 12-14.5 × 2.5-4µm. + _Ascozonus leveillei_ + - Asci more than 48-spored. 93 + + 93(92) Asci 64-spored. 94 + - Asci more than 64-spored. 95 + + 94(93) Apothecia with a short base of globose cells, with + minutely roughened marginal hairs up to 30 × 8µm. Spores + elliptic-fusoid, 12-14 × 3-5µm. + _Ascozonus woolhopensis_ (figs 14, 15) + - Apothecia sessile, with aseptate smooth hairs. Spores + 21 × 7.5µm (13-14 × 4.5-5µm)[1]. _Ascozonus cunicularis_ + +[Illustration: FIG. 11. _Trichobolus sphaerosporus_, apothecium.] + +[Illustration: FIG. 12. _Thelebolus stercoreus_, apothecium.] + +[Illustration: FIG. 13. _T. nanus_, mature and immature apothecia, and +detail of ascus dehiscence.] + +[Illustration: FIG. 14. _Ascozonus woolhopensis_, apothecium and apothecial +hair.] + +[Illustration: FIG. 15. _A. woolhopensis_, ascus with spores and detail of +dehiscence.] + + 95(93) Apothecia with a short base of globose cells, with + short, irregular hairs. Asci 64-96-spored Spores + elliptic-fusoid, 14-14.5 × 5-5.5µm (10-15 × 3.5-4µm)[1]. + _Ascozonus leveillanus_ + - Apothecia sessile, dotted with hairs in connate groups + of 2-3. Asci with 128 or more spores. Spores 10 × 5µm + (7 × 3.5µm)[1]. _Ascozonus subhirtus_ + + 96(3) Apothecia stalked. 97 + - Apothecia not stalked. 98 + + 97(96) Apothecia up to 2mm diam., with a short cylindrical stalk, + light brown. Asci 150 × 10µm. Spores hyaline, with 2 oil + drops, occasionally 1-septate, 13-15 × 4.5µm. + _Lanzia cuniculi_ + - Apothecia up to 3mm diam., pale olivaceous to grey, with + a long, slender, reddish-brown stalk arising from a + sclerotium in the dung. Asci 30-40 × 4-5µm. Spores + ellipsoid, grey-brown, 4-4.5 × 2µm. _Martininia panamaensis_ + + 98(96) Spores 7-11(14) × 1.75-2.75µm. ellipsoid, ellipsoid- + fusiform or slightly clavate. Apothecia yellowish brown + when fresh, drying darker, up to 1mm diam. Asci 42-60 × + 7.5-9µm, pore weakly blue in iodine. _Pezizella albula_ + - Spores and asci smaller. 99 + + 99(98) Spores linear, 3-5 × 1µm. Asci 30 × 5µm, cylindrical + with a short stipe. Paraphyses not clavate but fused + to form an epithecium. Apothecia pale pellucid, + 0.5-1mm diam. _Orbilia leporina_ + - Spores longer, subulate, curved. 100 + + 100(99) Spores 7-8.5 × 1.2-1.8µm. Asci 36-40 × 3-5µm, gradually + tapering to a short base. Paraphyses enlarged to 3µm at + apex, covered with brown granules. Apothecia light brown, + 0.4-1.mm diam. _Orbilia fimicola_ + - Spores 8-10.55 × 0.9-1µm. Asci 30-45 × 3µm, + cylindrical-clavate with narrow tapering base and + truncate apex. Paraphyses 2µm diam., the tips with a + crust-like secretion fusing together to form a shiny + epithecium. Apothecia white to yellowish, 180-700µm diam. + _Orbilia fimicoloides_ + + + + +Key 2. Perithecial, pseudothecial, cleistothecial and gymnothecial fungi + + + + 1 Perithecia occurring singly or in groups, but directly + (key 1,2) on the dung or buried in it (figs 16, 28, 19, 22, 27, + 30, 32, 34-36). 2 + - Perithecia occurring in or on a mass of fungal tissue + (stroma) growing in or on the dung (figs 32, 37). 135 + + 2(1) Spores black, brown or dark olive-greenish. 3 + - Spores hyaline or pale coloured, at least under the + microscope (may be coppery red _en masse_). 117 + + 3(2) Spores smooth, without an ornamentation of hyaline pits. 4 + - Spores 1-celled, ornamented with hyaline pits. + (_Gelasinospora_) 114 + + 4(3) Perithecia dark, olive, brown or black. 5 + - Perithecia reddish brown, orange or golden, globose, + with a neck. Spores black, limoniform. 116 + + 5(4) Perithecia globose, surmounted by a dense tuft of greyish + green hairs, which may be branched or simple, straight + or curly. Spores olivaceous, limoniform. Asci clavate, + soon disappearing. (A large genus not characteristic + of dung, but occurring occasionally). + _Chaetomium_ (fig. 16) + - Perithecia more pyriform, or if globose then with a + distinct neck, may be setose but not densely hairy, + with clavate or cylindrical asci. 6 + + 6(5) Each spore composed of 4 or more cells in a row (figs + 17, 21). Asci bitunicate (figs 20, 23). 7 + - Spores 1- or 2-celled. Asci bitunicate or unitunicate. 29 + + 7(6) Spores 16-32-celled, united firmly together in a bundle + both in the ascus and after discharge. Germ slits + usually absent. (_Sporormia_) 8 + - Spores each with 4 or more cells, each spore free and + surrounded by its own gelatinous sheath. Germ slits + usually present. (_Sporormiella_) 11 + + 8(7) Spores 16-20-celled. 9 + - Spores 29-32-celled, 130-160 × 4-6µm. _Sporormia mirabilis_ + + 9(8) Spores 16-celled, 85-116 × 5-6.5µm. _Sporormia fimicola_ + - Spores smaller. 10 + + 10(9) Spores 16-celled, 37-45 × 3µm. Asci 50-60 × 10-12µm. + _Sporormia sp._ (fig. 17) + [recorded as _S. fimetaria_ by Richardson (1972); + see also Bell (1983) and Dissing (1992)] + - Spores 16-20-celled, 50-57 × 3.5-4.5µm. Asci 70-80 × + 12-16µm. _Sporormia fimetaria_ + (These two taxa may represent the extremes of _S. fimetaria_). + + 11(7) Spores 4-celled. 12 + - Spores more than 4-celled. 22 + + 12(11) Spores more than 65-70µm long. 13 + - Spores less than 65-70µm long. 15 + +[Illustration: FIG. 16. _Chaetomium_ sp., perithecium and spore.] + +[Illustration: FIG. 17. _Sporormia_ sp., ascus and spores.] + +[Illustration: FIG. 18. _Sporormiella ovina_, pseudothecium.] + +[Illustration: FIG. 19. _S. intermedia_, pseudothecium.] + +[Illustration: FIG. 20. _S. intermedia_, immature bitunicate ascus and +mature ascus with outer layer ruptured.] + +[Illustration: FIG. 21. Ascospores of, from left, _S. ovina_, _S. +intermedia_ (with gelatinous sheath characteristic of the genus), _S. +lageniformis_, _S. vexans_, _S. bipartis_ and _S. minima_.] + + 13(12) Spores 65-95 × 15-18µm. _Sporormiella megalospora_ + - Spores longer than 90µm. 14 + + 14(13) Spores 90-118 × 15-20µm. Asci tapering gradually from + the broadest part near the apex to a 'stipe'. + _Sporormiella ovina_ (figs 18, 21) + - Spores 91-114 × (14)18-21µm. Asci cylindrical, abruptly + contracted below to a short 'stipe'. + _Sporormiella borealis_ + + 15(12) Spores mostly less than 35µm long. 16 + - Spores mostly between 35-60µm long. 19 + + 16(15) Spores less than 25µm long. 17 + - Spores 25-35(38)µm long. 18 + + 17(16) Spores (15)17-24(26) × 5-7µm, end cells broadly conical. + Ascospores uniseriate. Asci 120-135µm long. Pseudothecia + 250-300µm diam. _Sporormiella pulchella_ + - Spores 16-22 × 4.5-5.5µm, end cells subovate. Ascospores + biseriate. Asci 95-125µm long. Pseudothecia 300-350µm + diam. _Sporormiella nigropurpurea_ + + 18(16) Spores 30-38.5 × 5.5-6.5µm. Asci clavate, tapering + gradually below to a 'stipe'. _Sporormiella leporina_ + - Spores 27-36(38) × 4-6(8)µm, tending to break in two at + the middle septum. Asci cylindrical, abruptly contracted + below. _Sporormiella minima_ (fig. 21) + + 19(15) Spores with end cells rounded. Asci cylindrical, + abruptly contracted below. 20 + - Spores with end cells tapered and slightly conical. + Asci clavate, tapering gradually to a long stalk. 21 + + 20(19) Spores 45-65 × 8-11.5µm. + _Sporormiella intermedia_ (figs 19-21) + - Spores 38-46 × 6.5-8µm. _Sporormiella australis_ + + 21(19) Spores 45-60 × 11.5-14µm, germ slits parallel with + long axis. _Sporormiella grandispora_ + - Spores 35-45(48) × 7-9(10)µm. + _Sporormiella lageniformis_ (fig. 21) + + 22(11) Spores 5-celled, 70-80 × 17-19µm. _Sporormiella pentamera_ + - Spores more than 5-celled. 23 + + 23(22) Spores 7- or 8-celled. 24 + - Spores 13-celled, 46-60 × 9-10µm. _Sporormiella antarctica_ + + 24(23) Spores 7-celled. 25 + - Spores 8-celled. 26 + + 25(24) Spores 40-55 × 7-9µm, readily disarticulating, the end + cells longer than wide, the rest shorter than wide. + _Sporormiella vexans_ (fig. 21) + - Spores 70-80 × 16-18µm, end cells rounded. + _Sporormiella heptamera_ + + 26(24) Spores mostly longer than 45µm. 27 + - Spores less than 50µm long, not disarticulating at the + central septum. 28 + + 27(26) Spores 45-60 × 5-7.5µm, disarticulating at the central + septum, all cells the same width. + _Sporormiella bipartis_ (fig. 21) + - Spores 50-59 × 10-12µm, not disarticulating, 3rd cell + down wider than the others. _Sporormiella corynespora_ + + 28(26) Spores (33)37-40(49) × 7-9µm, cylindrical. Asci + abruptly contracted below. _Sporormiella pascua_ + - Spores 40-48 × 7-8µm, fusiform cylindrical. Asci gradually + tapered below. _Sporormiella octomera_ + + 29(6) Spores obviously 2-celled at maturity. 30 + - Spores 1-celled, or appearing 1-celled at maturity. + (Those of _Podospora_, _Schizothecium_ etc. are 2-celled + in early stages of their development, but only one cell + matures to become pigmented; the other remains hyaline, + often collapses, and may be difficult to see). 47 + + 30(29) Spores 23-28 × 13-17µm, upper cell dark, 15-19µm, with + close, blunt spines giving the impression of a pitted + spore surface, with apical germ pore, the lower cell + hyaline, 6-8.5µm, smoky-brown. Asci unitunicate, + 4-spored. Perithecia 400µm diam. + _Apiosordaria verruculosa_ (fig. 24) + - Both cells of spore similar in shape, size and colour. 31 + + 31(30) Asci unitunicate. Spores with a 'gelatinous' appendage + at each end. Perithecial neck with setae. 32 + - Asci bitunicate. Spores without gelatinous appendages, + although a sheath may be present. 33 + + 32(31) Spores 38-48 × 11-14µm, appendages longitudinally + fibrillate. _Zygospermella striata_ + - Spores 46-68 × 11-17µm, appendages hollow, not + fibrillate. _Zygospermella insignis_ (fig. 25) + + 33(31) Spores with each end truncated by a germ pore. + Pseudothecia with dark bristles at neck. + (_Trichodelitschia_) 34 + - Spores with rounded ends and germ slits along the sides. + Pseudothecial neck smooth or hairy, but without setae. + (_Delitschia_, fig. 26) 36 + + 34(33) Spores 28-34 × 9-12µm. _Trichodelitschia aedelphica_ + - Spores smaller. 35 + + 35(34) Spores 20-27.5 × 8-11µm. + _Trichodelitschia bisporula_ (figs 22, 23) + - Spores 18-21 × 6-7µm. _Trichodelitschia munkii_ + + 36(33) Asci ca 256-spored. Spores 14-15 × 6-8µm. + _Delitschia myriaspora_ + - Asci 8-spored. 37 + + 37(36) Spores less than 20µm long. 38 + - Spores more than 20µm long. 41 + + 38(37) Spores 8-11 × 3-5µm. _Delitschia perpusilla_ + - Spores 10-20µm long. 39 + + 39(38) Spores 10-14 × 5-6µm. _Delitschia marchalii_ + - Spores longer. 40 + + 40(39) Spores 14-18 × 6-10µm, uniseriate. Asci 70-90 × 7-16µm. + _Delitschia niesslii_ + - Spores (16)18-20(22.5) × 6-7.5µm, biseriate. Asci + 80-145 × 20-25µm. _Delitschia consociata_ (fig. 26) + + 41(37) Spores mostly wider than 20µm. 42 + - Spores mostly less than 20µm wide. 43 + + 42(41) Spores 50-64 × 19-23µm. _Delitschia furfuracea_ + - Spores 50-70 × 25-33µm. _Delitschia winteri_ (fig. 26) + + 43(41) Spores 20-25 × 4.5-6µm, the cells slightly tapered and + almost completely separated. Pseudothecia hairless, + globose, ca 200µm diam. _Delitschia leptospora_ (fig. 26) + - Spores longer and wider. 44 + + 44(43) Spores transversely septate. 45 + - Spores obliquely septate, deeply constricted at the + septum, 35-50 × 15-18µm. _Delitschia didyma_ + + 45(44) Pseudothecia hairy. Spores 37-50 × 17-20µm, not deeply + constricted at the septum. _Delitschia chaetomioides_ + - Pseudothecia smooth. 46 + + 46(45) Spores biseriate, 45-55 × 13-16µm, one cell usually + larger than the other, deeply constricted at the + septum and readily separating. _Delitschia canina_ + - Spores uniseriate, 40-55 × 16-21µm, both cells equal. + _Delitschia patagonica_ + +[Illustration: FIG. 22. _Trichodelitschia bisporula_, pseudothecium.] + +[Illustration: FIG. 23. _T. bisporula_, expanded ascus broken through the +outer wall, with spores.] + +[Illustration: FIG. 24. _Apiosordaria verruculosa_, ascospores.] + +[Illustration: FIG. 25. _Zygospermella insignis_, ascus and ascospore.] + +[Illustration: FIG. 26. Ascospores of, from left, _Delitschia winteri_, _D. +consociata_ and _D. leptospora_.] + + 47(29) Spores with colourless 'gelatinous' secondary appendages + (caudae, fig. 28) at one or both ends (not always easy + to see; mounting in Indian ink is useful, and essential + for some). A hyaline (empty) cell, the primary appendage + (fig. 28), may also be present. 48 + - Spores without caudae, although a colourless gelatinous + sheath may be present. Primary appendages present or + absent. 88 + + 48(47) Perithecia often hairy or tomentose when young. Immature + spores long, wavy cylindrical, with a row of globules, + and more likely to be seen than mature spores (fig. 29). + Secondary appendages thin, simple, up to 60 × 3µm. + Mature spores with a dark cell 14-25 × 7-13µm and + pedicel (primary appendage) 25-50 × 3-6µm. + (_Cercophora_) 49 + - Perithecia often with scales or setae at the neck or + tomentose. Caudae, simple or compound. Immature spores + clavate or ellipsoid, not long, wavy cylindrical. + Mature spores readily observed. 51 + + 49(48) Immature spores 45-70 × 4-6µm. 50 + - Immature spores smaller, 38-52 × 3-3.5µm. Mature spores + with upper (dark) cell 14-18 × 7-9µm; hyaline pedicel + 27-36 × 3-3.5µm. _Cercophora silvatica_ + + 50(49) Perithecia with white or grey tomentum. Young spores + 45-65 × 4.5-6µm. Mature spores with upper cell 17-25 × + 8.5-13µm and pedicel 30-50µm long. + _Cercophora coprophila_ (fig. 29) + - Perithecia with flexuose brown hairs and, at the neck, + tufts of agglutinated, swollen, obtuse hairs. Young + spores 52-68 × 4-5µm. Mature spores with upper cell + 15-25 × 9-11µm and pedicel 35-45µm long. + _Cercophora mirabilis_ + + 51(48) Primary appendage absent. (_Arnium_, fig. 28) 52 + - Primary appendage present. 60 + + 52(51) Asci (64-)128-spored. Spores 18-26 × (10)12-15µm. + Perithecial neck sometimes with rigid, brown, septate + hairs up to 330µm. _Arnium leporinum_ + - Asci 4- or 8-spored. 53 + + 53(52) Asci 4-spored. 54 + - Asci 8-spored. 55 + + 54(53) Spores ellipsoid, sometimes inequilaterally flattened, + 44-54 × 22-30µm, with 1 apical germ pore, caudae not + swelling in water. Perithecium usually with lateral + tufts of agglutinated hairs up to 550µm long. + _Arnium arizonense_ + - Spores evenly ellipsoid-fusiform, 31-55 × 18-25µm, with + germ pore at each end, caudae covering germ pores, 35-60 + × 7-11µm, but rupturing and swelling to up to 130 × + 50µm, and becoming diffuse and irregular. Perithecial + neck covered with rigid hairs up to 190 × 2.5µm. + _Arnium hirtum_ + + 55(53) Perithecial neck distinctly setose with rigid hairs. 56 + - Perithecial neck without setae. 57 + + 56(55) Spores evenly ellipsoid-fusiform, 31-55 × 18-25µm, with + germ pore at each end, caudae covering germ pores, 35-60 + × 7-11µm, but rupturing and swelling up to 130 × 50µm, + and becoming diffuse and irregular. Perithecial neck + covered with rigid hairs up to 190 × 2.5µm. + _Arnium hirtum_ + - Spores slightly inequilateral, 35-43 × 17-23µm, caudae + 50-75 × 5-8µm, not covering germ pores. Perithecial + neck with brown hairs up to 250µm long. + _Arnium cervinum_ + + 57(55) Perithecia covered with a dense tomentum of septate + flexuous hairs. Spores mostly longer than 45µm. Only + occasionally fimicolous. 58 + - Perithecia without a tomentum. Spores up to 45µm. 59 + + 58(57) Spores (40)45-54 × 25-35µm, uniseriate. Tomentum pale + or grayish. _Arnium olerum_ + - Spores 47-70 x 20-30µm, biseriate above. Tomentum + olivaceous brown. _Arnium tomentosum_ + + 59(57) Spores somewhat inequilateral, rounded below, pointed + above, 31-40 × 18-24µm, caudae 50-120 × 6-10µm, with 1 + apical germ pore not covered by cauda. + _Arnium caballinum_ + - Spores equilateral, 36-44 × 20-23µm, caudae 50-80 × + 6-8µm, covering germ pores. _Arnium mendax_ + + 60(51) Perithecia with scales at the neck, composed of inflated + and agglutinated cells (fig. 27, _S. conicum_). + (_Schizothecium_) 61 + - Perithecia setose or hairy at the neck, but not with + inflated cells, or neck black but almost hairless. + (_Podospora_) 70 + + 61(60) Asci 4-spored. 62 + - Asci 8-spored. 63 + + 62(61) Spores 11-14.5 × 6.5-9µm. _Schizothecium nanum_ (fig. 28) + - Spores 19-24 × 12-14.5µm. _Schizothecium tetrasporum_ + + 63(61) Spores more than 30µm long. 64 + - Spores less than 30µm long. 65 + + 64(63) Perithecia crowned with a fascicle of long agglutinated + hairs at the neck, up to 335µm long. Spores 31-40 × + 15-25µm, biseriate. _Schizothecium aloides_ + - Perithecia with shorter, less remarkable tufts. Spores + 30-45 × 19-24µm, ± uniseriate. _Schizothecium glutinans_ + + 65(63) Perithecial neck with rigid setae, as well as + agglutinated hairs (which may be greatly reduced). + Asci 140-210 × 19-25µm, broadest at the markedly + rounded apex. Spores 18-23 × 11-14µm. + _Schizothecium pilosum_ + - Perithecial neck without rigid setae. Asci broadest + in the middle. 66 + + 66(65) Spores mostly over 23µm long. 67 + - Spores up to 23µm long. 69 + + 67(66) Spores 22-25(27) × 11-13µm. Scales at neck distinct. + _Schizothecium hispidulum_ + - Spores wider, 12-19µm 68 + + 68(67) Perithecia 0.5-1mm high, scales at neck usually well + developed. Spores (23)26-30 × 12-17µm. + _Schizothecium conicum_ (fig. 27) + - Perithecia 1-2mm diam., subpyriform, neck velvety with + indistinct scales. Spores 24-28 × 15-19µm. + _Schizothecium squamulosum_ + + 69(66) Spores 17-23 × 8.5-13.5µm, primary appendage slender + cylindrical, 6-8 × 2µm. Perithecia 0.25-0.7mm high, + sometimes with poorly developed scales. + _Schizothecium vesticola_ (fig. 28) + - Spores 11-14 × 6-8µm, primary appendage short, 2µm long, + almost triangular. Perithecia 0.3-0.45mm high, with + short agglutinated hairs. _Schizothecium cervinum_ + + 70(60) Asci 4-spored. Spores 35-40 × 18-19µm. _Podospora pauciseta_ + - Asci with more than 4 spores. 71 + +[Illustration: FIG. 27. Perithecia, from left, of _Podospora +appendiculata_, _Schizothecium conicum_, _P. excentrica_ and _P. +decipiens_, with detail of hairs. FIG. 28. Ascospores of, from left, +_Podospora excentrica_, _P. appendiculata_, _S. vesticola_, _S. nanum_, _P. +decipiens_, _'P. dagobertii'_ and _Arnium_ sp. FIG. 29. _Cercophora +coprophila_, immature (l) and mature (r) ascospores.] + + 71(70) Asci 8-spored. 72 + - Asci with more than 8 spores. 82 + + 72(71) Spores more than 45µm long. 73 + - Spores less than 45µm long. 74 + + 73(72) Spores 48-60 × 27-31µm, caudae apparently striate. + Perithecia superficial, covered with rigid, + nonagglutinated hairs up to 120µm. _Podospora fimiseda_ + - Spores 50-68 × 22-32µm, caudae apparently segmented, + with an intestine-like appearance. Perithecia immersed + to superficial, with a long neck, tomentose with long + flexuous hairs when young, more or less glabrous when + mature. _Podospora intestinacea_ + + 74(72) Perithecia superficial, ovoid to globose, covered with + short (up to 100µm), sparse, radiating, hyaline tipped, + hairs. Spores 24-31 × 11-15µm, with simple caudae. + _Podospora appendiculata_ (figs 27, 28) + - Perithecia with base immersed in substrate, pyriform, + without such hairs. 75 + + 75(74) Perithecial neck with short tubercular hairs, up to 20µm + long. Spores 32-42 × 17-22µm, with a long but withering + primary appendage. Caudae in two rings, one inserted near + the base of the primary appendage, the other at the spore + apex. The individual filaments may be free, but often + clump together to form an apparently broad appendage. + _Podospora decipiens_ (figs 27, 28) + - Perithecial hairs longer. Caudae single or 4 at each end. 76 + + 76(75) Spores with 4 caudae at each end. 77 + - Spores with a single cauda at each end. 78 + + 77(76) Spores 40-45 × 22-25µm. _Podospora gwynne-vaughaniae_ + - Spores 29-40 × 16-25µm. _Podospora communis_ + + 78(76) Spores less than 30 × 15µm. 79 + - Spores larger than 30 × 15µm. 80 + + 79(78) Spores 21-28 × 11-14µm, primary appendage 12-14 × 4µm. + Perithecia 0.3-0.5mm diam., neck setose with rigid + cylindrical hairs. Asci 200-250 × 22-26µm, broadest + in the middle. _Podospora ellisiana_ + - Spores 18-23 × 11-14µm, primary appendage 4-8 × 3µm. + Perithecia 0.2-0.3mm diam., neck setose with rigid + hairs. Asci 140-210 × 19-25µm, broadest at the markedly + rounded apex. _Schizothecium pilosum_ + + 80(78) Perithecia ca O.9-1.4mm high × 0.6-0.7(0.85)mm diam., + neck not hairy. Spores (29)36-45 × (17.5)22-27µm, + caudae ephemeral and difficult to see, even in Indian + ink. _Podospora pyriformis_ + - Perithecial neck with tufts of rigid hairs. 81 + + 81(80) Perithecia 0.38-0.53mm high × 0.21-0.38mm diam., + ± immersed, with hairs at the neck up to 335µm long, + grouped in rigid fascicles. Spores slightly flattened + on one side, 30-37 × 18-24µm, caudae invisible in water. + _Podospora excentrica_ (figs 27, 28) + - Perithecia ca 0.8-1.4mm high × 0.4-0.7mm diam., + semi-immersed, hairy all over, flexuous below, rigid + and pointed at the neck up to 170µm. Spores 33-45 × + 22-27µm. _Podospora perplexens_ + + 82(71) Asci 16-32-spored. Perithecial neck with short tubercular + hairs. Spores 25-36 × 15-24µm. Caudae in two rings, one + inserted at the base of the primary appendage, the other + at the spore apex; individual filaments may be separate + or clumped to appear as a broad single appendage + (cf. _P. decipiens_). _Podospora pleiospora_ + - Asci with more than 32 spores. 83 + + 83(82) Perithecia with tufts of rigid hairs at neck. Asci with + more than 64 spores. 84 + - Perithecia without tufts of rigid hairs. Asci 64-spored. 87 + + 84(83) Spores 14-17 × 9-11µm. Asci 256-spored. Perithecia ca + 500µm diam., immersed, except for the neck, which has + tapered tufts of hairs up to 300µm. _Podospora curvicolla_ + - Spores larger. Perithecia semi-immersed. 85 + + 85(84) Spores (18)20-26 × 12-16µm, caudae of 2-several filaments + covered with granules. Asci 512-spored. Perithecia up to + 1mm high × 0.95mm diam., neck with rigid but + non-agglutinated hairs up to 130µm long. + _Podospora granulostriata_ + - Caudae simple, without granular appearance. Asci + 128-spored. Perithecia not larger than 750µm high × + 500µm diam., with rigid, non-agglutinated hairs up + to 190µm long at neck. 86 + + 86(85) Spores 17-19 × 10-12µm. _Podospora setosa_ + - Spores 19-24 × 11-16µm. _Podospora tarvisina_ + (See discussion in Lundqvist (1972) on these last three names) + + 87(83) Spores 24-34 × 14-19µm, caudae in two rings, one inserted + at the base of the primary appendage, the other at the + spore apex; individual filaments may be separate or + clumped to appear as a broad single appendage (cf. + _P. decipiens_/_P. pleiospora_). Perithecia ca 0.6-1.1mm + high × 0.4-0.5mm diam., covered with flexuous hairs or + rarely smooth. _Podospora myriaspora_ + - Spores 15-20 × 10-15µm, caudae small, simple and + evanescent. Perithecia 0.4-0.5mm high, covered with + long flexuous hairs. _Podospora collapsa_ + + 88(47) Spores with primary appendage. 89 + - Spores without primary appendage. 93 + + 89(88) Spores with primary appendage directed towards base of + ascus. 90 + - Spores with primary appendage directed towards apex of + ascus. (_Anopodium_) 91 + +[Illustration: FIG. 30. Perithecia of, from left, _Coniochaeta ligniaria_, +_C. scatigena_ and _C. hansenii_. FIG. 31. Ascospores of _C. scatigena_ (l) +and _C. ligniaria_ (r).] + + 90(89) Spores 34-45 × 19-25µm, without caudae but surrounded + by a thin (ca 5µm) gelatinous sheath. Perithecia ca + 0.5-0.7mm diam., ± smooth. _Podospora globosa_ + - Spores 17-20 × 8-9.5µm, flattened on one side, convex + on the other. Perithecia 0.3-0.45µm diam., with distal + cells of agglutinated hairs fimbriate. _Podospora fimbriata_ + + 91(89) Perithecia hairy. Spores 27-32 × 16-19µm, appendage + 15-18 × 2.5-3µm. _Anopodium ampullaceum_ + - Perithecia glabrous. 92 + + 92(91) Spores 28-32 × 16-21µm, appendage 12-15 × 3-3.8µm. + _Anopodium epile_ + - Spores 30-37 × 16-20µm, appendage 24-27 × 5µm. + _'Podospora' dagobertii_ (fig. 28) + (The combination in _Anopodium_ has not been made; see + Lundqvist, 1964, 1972) + + 93(88) Spores flattened, disc shaped, with a germ slit around + the edge. Perithecial neck with short (up to 120µm) + setae. (_Coniochaeta_, figs 30, 31) 94 + - Spores ellipsoid. Perithecial neck without setae or with + very prominent (up to 950µm) tufts of agglutinated hairs. 99 + + 94(93) Asci with numerous (64-128) spores. 95 + - Asci 8-spored. 96 + + 95(94) Spores 6-10 × 5-9 × 4-7µm. Perithecial setae up to 120µm + long. _Coniochaeta hansenii_ (fig. 30) + - Spores 13-16 × 9.5-13.5 × 5.5-8µm. Perithecial setae + up to 35µm long. _Coniochaeta_ sp. + + 96(94) Spores 7-9 × 6-8 × 5-6µm, slightly flattened. + _Coniochaeta leucoplaca_ + - Spores larger. 97 + + 97(96) Spores narrowly elliptical in face view (length more than + 2 × width), ca 13-18 × 6-9 × 4-6µm. + _Coniochaeta saccardoi_ + - Spores broadly elliptical to nearly circular in face + view (length less than 2 × width). 98 + + 98(97) Spores (9)10-16(20) × 7.5-10(15) × (4)5-8µm. Neck setae + 20-50µm long. _Coniochaeta ligniaria_ (figs 30, 31) + - Spores (16)17-23 × (10)13-19 × 7.5-10(15)µm. Neck setae + 40-80µm long. _Coniochaeta scatigena_ (figs 30, 31) + + 99(93) Perithecial neck with prominent agglutinated tufts of + rigid setae up to 950µm long. Spores 43-54 × 20-29µm, + with apical germ pore. A gelatinous sheath which surrounds + the whole spore swells in water, and appears fringed at + the margin and radially striate. _Arnium macrothecium_ + - Perithecial neck without setae. Gelatinous sheaths may be + clearly visible around spores, but are not complex in + structure. 100 + + 100(99) Spores with germ slit along the side. Ascus with a large + and complex plug at the tip staining blue or red in KI + (other genera have asci with blue staining ascus tips, + but the feature is very pronounced in this genus and is + unlikely to be mistaken). Perithecia form singly or + severally in a stroma which is usually of limited extent, + often without a definite margin. [N.B. if orange and + with a stroma see _Selinia_, 119]. + (_Hypocopra_, fig. 32) 101 + - Spores without germ slits, but often asymmetrical, and + with a small papilla at the basal end. Asci without + complex apical plug. (_Sordaria_, fig. 33) 107 + + 101(100) Spores mostly less than 25µm long. 102 + - Spores more than 25µm long. 104 + + 102(101) Spores 9-14 × 6-7µm. _Hypocopra parvula_ + - Spores larger. 103 + + 103(102) Stroma with a brown hyphal mat between perithecial necks. + Spores 19-27 × 10-14µm. _Hypocopra equorum_ (fig. 32) + - Stroma with white hyphae between black perithecial + necks, becoming smooth. Spores 23-25 × 12-14µm. + _Hypocopra brefeldii_ + + 104(101) Ascospores up to 15µm wide. 105 + - Ascospores 15µm or wider. 106 + + 105(104) Ascospores 25-31 × 10-15µm, distinctly flattened on one + side. Ascus plug blue in KI, but becoming reddish. + _Hypocopra planispora_ + - Ascospores 26-32 × 13-14µm, ellipsoid and narrowed + towards their ends. _Hypocopra stephanophora_ + + 106(104) Ascospores 27-43 × 16-20µm. _Hypocopra merdaria_ + - Ascospores 38-50 × 19-24µm. _Hypocopra stercoraria_ + + 107(100) Spores up to 10µm long. 108 + - Spores 10µm or longer. 109 + + 108(107) Asci 8-spored. Spores 8 × 4µm. _Sordaria minima_ + - Asci ca 128-spored. Spores 5-8 × 4-5µm. + _Sordaria polyspora_ + + 109(107) Spores relatively narrow, at least twice as long as wide, + 22-26 × 9-12µm. Gelatinous sheath broad, distinct. + _Sordaria alcina_ + - Spores relatively broad, less than twice as long as wide. + 110 + + 110(109) Spores mostly 25µm or longer. 111 + - Spores up to 25µm long. 112 + + 111(110) Spores (21)23-29(30) × 14.5-17(18)µm, with apiculate + base. Gelatinous sheath broad, distinct. Asci 240-300 + × 20-24µm. _Sordaria superba_ + - Spores (26)28-35 × (17)18-22µm, with slightly apiculate + base. Gelatinous sheath broad, distinct. Asci 280-350 × + 30-35µm. _Sordaria macrospora_ + + 112(110) Spores with gelatinous sheath absent or very thin, + 19.5-25 × 15.5-19µm. _Sordaria humana_ (fig. 33) + - Spores with gelatinous sheath, up to 15µm diam. 113 + + 113(112) Spores obovoid to broadly ellipsoid, 18-23 × 12-15µm. + _Sordaria lappae_ + - Spores ellipsoid, 17-25 × 10-14µm. + _Sordaria fimicola_ (fig. 33) + +[Illustration: FIG. 32. _Hypocopra equorum_, perithecium with limited +stroma, and detail of ascus tip with blue staining plug and spore. FIG. 33. +Ascospores, from left, of _Sordaria fimicola_, _S. humana_ and _Sphaerodes +fimicola_.] + + 114(3) Spores 20-28 × 12-16µm, with subacute ends, each with a + germ pore. _Gelasinospora adjuncta_ + - Spores larger. 115 + + 115(114) Asci 4-spored. Spores 24-29 × 15-18µm, with rounded ends + and one germ pore. _Gelasinospora tetrasperma_ + - Asci 8-spored. Spores 26-3 _Gelasinospora cerealis_ + + 116(4) Perithecia orange to golden, often gregarious, almost + spherical, necks ca 50µm diam., 15µm high, setae at + ostiole hyaline, up to 35 × 3µm. Spores limoniform, + with a germ pore at each end, 15-25 × 9-16µm. + _Sphaerodes fimicola_ (fig. 33) + - Perithecia yellow or reddish brown (darker when filled + with mature spores), neck 50µm long, with setae at the + ostiole 40-70µm long. Spores dark brown to black, + limoniform, 20-34 × 11-17µm, with apical germ pore. + _Melanospora brevirostris_ + + 117(2) Asci more than 8-spored. see Key 1 at 86 + - Asci with 8 or fewer spores, or asci evanescent, not + readily observed. 118 + + 118(117) Perithecia orange/yellow, 500-1000µm diam. Spores long + (over 45µm) or 2-celled if shorter. 119 + - Perithecia smaller, or black or with a neck. Spores + shorter (less than 20µm) or septate if longer. 120 + + 119(118) Perithecia orange, 500-1000µm diam., in small groups on + a limited stroma. Spores thick walled, 48-60 × 22-26µm, + with a gelatinous sheath. _Selinia pulchra_ + - Perithecia orange yellow, superficial, ca 500µm diam., + with ostiole in a disc surrounded by silvery triangular + tufts of hyphae ca 100µm long. Spores ellipsoid, + 1-septate, 12-14 × 4-5µm. _Nectria suffulta_ + + 120(118) Perithecia reddish brown or pale, hyaline, with a + distinct neck. 121 + - Perithecia black. 131 + + 121(120) Perithecia globose, up to 250µm diam., immersed, reddish + brown, with a neck 1-3 mm long. Asci broad ellipsoid, + 5-8.5µm, rapidly breaking down and difficult to see. + Spores ellipsoid-allantoid. 5.5-7 × 1.5-2µm, collecting + in a pearly droplet at the fringed tip of the + perithecial beak. _Viennotidia fimicola_ (fig. 34) + - Perithecia pyriform, very pale in colour, 60-200µm diam., + with a neck 60-700µm long. Asci rarely visible. Spores + pointed-fusiform, 1-3 septate, often with a sheath and + clumped together in fascicles. + (_Pyxidiophora_, fig. 36) 122 + + 122(121) Neck 95-145µm long, brown, rugose, with cells arranged + in 5-6 longitudinal rows visible in one view. Spores + 38-52µm long. _Pyxidiophora badiorostris_ + - Neck not brown or rugose, composed of hyaline, + irregularly arranged cylindrical cells. 123 + + 123(122) Spores less than 45µm long. 124 + - Spores more than 45µm long. 125 + + 124(123) Spores 35-45µm long, with brown apical or subapical + patches of pigment. _Pyxidiophora brunneocapitatus_ + - Spores 35-43µm long, without brown apical or subapical + patches of pigment. _Pyxidiophora microsporus_ + + 125(123) Spores mostly 45-60µm long. 126 + - Spores mostly longer than 60µm. 129 + +[Illustration: FIG. 34. _Viennotidia fimicola_, perithecium and spores. +FIG. 35. _Phomatospora coprophila_, perithecium, and ascus with spores. +FIG. 36. _Pyxidiophora petchii_, perithecium and spores.] + + 126(125) Perithecia 70-100µm diam., neck 100-190µm long. Spores + (43)48-58(65)µm long. _Pyxidiophora grovei_ + - Perithecia usually less than 80µm diam. 127 + + 127(126) Perithecial necks mostly less than 100µm long. Spores + (45)48-57(60)µm long. _Pyxidiophora arvernensis_ + - Perithecial necks up to 200µm long. 128 + + 128(127) Spores 45-53µm long. _Pyxidiophora petchii_ (fig. 36) + - Spores 53-65µm long. _Pyxidiophora schotterianus_ + + 129(125) Spores 60-70µm long. 130 + - Spores (75)80-90(100)µm. Perithecia 120-160µm diam., + neck 220-370µm long. _Pyxidiophora bainemensis_ + + 130(129) Perithecial necks 300-700µm long. Spores 60-70µm. + Perithecia 100-120µm diam. _Pyxidiophora spinuliformis_ + - Perithecial necks 225-265µm long. Spores 65-70µm. + Perithecia 110-125µm diam. _Pyxidiophora marchalii_ + + 131(120) Perithecia small, up to 400µm diam., with hairy necks. + Spores hyaline or pale, coppery-red en masse, extruded + in tendrils. 132 + - Perithecia larger, without hairy necks. If smaller than + 200µm, with spores smaller than 5 × 3µm. 134 + + 132(131) Spores reniform, with gelatinous sheath, 3.5 × 2-3µm, + yellow, reddish brown _en masse_ in extruded tendrils. + Asci spherical, evanescent. Perithecia black, spherical, + 200-400µm diam., with cylindrical neck up to 300µm long, + with sparse pointed hairs. _Microascus longirostris_ + - Spores larger, not reniform. Perithecia up to 300µm diam. 133 + + 133(132) Perithecial necks long, up to 750µm, with terminal hairs + up to 1500µm, curved or circinate at tips. Spores + limoniform, 7-10.5 × 5.5-7µm. _Lophotrichus ampullus_ + - Perithecial necks short, ca 50µm, with long straight + tapering hairs. Spore shape limoniform/variable, 6-7.5 × + 5-5.5µm, with prominent germ pores. _Lophotrichus bartletti_ + + 134(131) Perithecia up to 150µm diam., immersed but for a conical + neck 50-75µm high. Asci 50 × 2-2.5µm. Spores minute, + cylindrical, 3.5-4.5 × 1.75-2.5µm. + _Phomatospora coprophila_ (fig. 35) + - Perithecia more obvious, often hairy, or tomentose when + young. Immature spores up to 70µm long, wavy + cylindrical, with a row of globules inside and a short + thin appendage at each end. (see _Cercophora_, 49) + + 135(1) Perithecia immersed, surrounded at the neck by a very + limited flange-like stroma which is easily overlooked. + see _Hypocopra_, 101 + or if orange see _Selinia_, 119 + - Stroma very conspicuous. 136 + + 136(135) Perithecia in a subglobose group at the tip of the + stromatic stalk. Spores with germ slit and gelatinous + sheath. (_Podosordaria_) 137 + - Perithecia not in a terminal head. 139 + + 137(136) Stalk short, 3-5mm. Spores (12)14-19 × 6-9µm, slightly + flattened on one side. _Podosordaria leporina_ + - Stalk long, 1-6cm. Spores larger. 138 + + 138(137) Spores 21-24 × 11-12µm. Stromatic stalk hairy. + _Podosordaria tulasnei_ + - Spores 40-60 × 20-30µm. Stromatic stalk not hairy. + _Podosordaria pedunculata_ + + 139(136) Stroma externally black, rooted or partially immersed + in the dung, expanding at the surface to form a white + disc up to 15mm diam., punctate with black perithecial + ostioles. (_Poronia_) 140 + - Stroma not as above. 141 + + 140(139) Spores 18-26 × 7-12µm, bean shaped, with gelatinous + sheath. Stroma deeply rooted. Especially on horse dung. + _Poronia punctata_ + - Spores (22)25-32(35) × (12)14-18µm, oblong ellipsoid to + slightly fusiform. Stroma not deeply rooted. Especially + on rabbit dung near the sea. _Poronia erici_ + + 141(139) Stroma spreading over surface of dung or filamentous. + Spores ellipsoid to slightly flattened on one side, + with germ slit. (Xerophilic fungi developing after + long periods of relatively dry incubation). + (_Wawelia_) 142 + - Stroma clavate, black, partly immersed to superficial, + usually aggregated in small groups, ca 1-1.5mm high + × 0.6-0.7mm diam., each containing a single perithecium. + Spores ellipsoid with germ pore and gelatinous sheath. + (_Bombardioidea_) 146 + + 142(141) Stroma spreading on substrate, black brown, firm but + not brittle. Ascomata globose, 0.5-1mm, with white + hyphae at neck. Spores broad limoniform, 15-19 + × 9-10µm. _Wawelia effusa_ + - Perithecia globose to pyriform, black, brown or dark + grey, produced laterally along the length of fine + stromatal strand growing from the dung. 143 + + 143(142) Asci 4-spored. 144 + - Asci 8-spored. 145 + + 144(143) Spores 15-18 × 9-12µm. Perithecia up to 400µm diam., + dark grey at maturity, single or clustered, the ostiole + with a crown of silvery white hyphae. Stromata up to + 30 × 0.1-0.5mm. _Wawelia_ sp. + - Spores 6-8 × 4-6µm. Stromata conical, white, 5-12 + × 1-2mm. _Wawelia regia_ + + 145(143) Perithecia hairy, globose, 350-500µm diam., stromatal + strands up to 25mm long. Spores ellipsoid, flattened + on one side, 9-12 × 6-8µm. _Wawelia octospora_ + - Perithecia villose with conidiophores, globose, + 230-420µm diam., produced laterally on stromatic + filaments 20-30 × 0.1-0.3mm. Filaments pink at first, + with a white pointed tip, becoming brown, velvety with + conidiophores. Spores ellipsoid to flattened on one + side, 7.5-9.5 × 3-4.5µm. _Wawelia_ sp. (fig. 37) + +[Illustration: FIG. 37. _Wawelia_ sp., stromatic filaments with perithecia +growing from a rabbit pellet, ascospores, and conidiophore and conidia.] + + 146(141) Asci 8-spored. Spores 20-31 × 9.5-15µm. + _Bombardioidea bombardioides_ + - Asci 4-spored. 147 + + 147(146) Spores 24-34 × 15-19(20)µm. Basal germ pore less + distinct than the apical one. + _Bombardioidea serignanensis_ + - Spores 34-43 × 16-22µm. Distinct germ pore at each end + of spore. _Bombardioidea stercoris_ + + 148 Fruit bodies solitary or in small groups, each a + (key 1,1) subglobose, fertile, light brown head on a slender + sterile stalk. Head soon bursting to expose the yellow + ochraceous spore mass. On mixtures of bird droppings, + cast pellets and decaying animal material. 149 + - Fruit bodies superficial, lacking a distinct stalk. 150 + + 149(148) Spores 5-8 × 2-3µm. Head 1-2mm diam. + _Onygena corvina_ (fig. 38) + - Spores 7-9 × 4-6µm, 4-5µm. Head 2-4mm diam. + _Onygena equina_ + + 150(148) Fruit bodies with an external wall of loosely + anastomosing and interwoven hyphae, and with ± + specialised terminal cells (GYMNOTHECIA, fig. 39). 151 + - Fruit bodies with a well defined parenchymatic wall + (CLEISTOTHECIA, fig. 46). 161 + + 151(150) Gymnothecia with simple thin-walled, ± uniform and + poorly developed hyphae constituting the outer hyphal + sheath. 152 + - Gymnothecia with thick-walled hyphae modified at their + ends into appendages, or if thin-walled then always + accompanied by appendages (i.e. curled, toothed or + pointed hyphae). 155 + +[Illustration: FIG. 38. _Onygena corvina_, habit sketch, ascus and +ascospore.] + + 152(151) Gymnothecia red-orange to brick-red. Ascospores orange, + subglobose to ellipsoid, with an equatorial furrow, + smooth, 4.5-5.5 × 3.5-4.5µm. _Arachniotus ruber_ (fig. 40) + - Gymnothecia white or yellow, never orange or brick-red. + Ascospores without an equatorial furrow. 153 + + 153(152) Gymnothecia white. Ascospores hyaline, ellipsoid, + smooth, 3-4 × 2-2.5µm. _Arachniotus candidus_ + - Gymnothecia distinctly pigmented, yellow or brown. + Ascospores larger than 4µm. 154 + + 154(153) Gymnothecia yellow brown. Ascospores orange to brownish, + slightly lenticular, smooth or slightly roughened, + 5-6.5 × 3.3-4.6µm. _Arachniotus confluens_ + - Gymnothecia lemon yellow. Ascospores lemon yellow, + lenticular, smooth, 5-6 × 3-4.5µm. _Arachniotus citrinus_ + +[Illustration: FIG. 39. Habit sketch of a gymnothecium and ascus. FIGS +40-45. Spores and peridial hyphae. FIG. 40. _Arachniotus ruber._ FIG. 41. +_Myxotrichum chartarum._ FIG. 42. _Gymnoascus californiensis._ FIG. 43. +_Gymnoascus reesii._ FIG. 44. _Ctenomyces serratus._ FIG. 45. _Arthroderma +curreyi._] + + 155(151) Gymnothecia possessing only thick pigmented hyphae. 156 + - Gymnothecia possessing ± thin, hyaline hyphae with only + a few, although often distinctive, appendages (i.e. + comb-shaped end cells or dumb-bell shaped asperulate + cells accompanying twisted and bent hyphae). 160 + + 156(155) Gymnothecia brown-black or dark greenish-grey, with + external hyphae with spine-like branches and septate, + hooked appendages. Ascospores orange brownish, ovate, + delicately striate, 4-5.2 × 2.4-3.3µm. + _Myxotrichum chartarum_ (fig. 41) + - Gymnothecia never black, and, if possessing thick-walled + hyphae, then appendages never septate. Ascospores smooth, + or if ornamented then asperulate or echinulate. 157 + + 157(156) Gymnothecia rose to orange-brown or yellowish. + Appendages curved or irregularly branched and pointed, + never verticillately branched. Ascospores smooth, or + at most asperulate. 158 + - Gymnothecia red-brown with appendages verticillately + branched. Ascospores 3-4.5 × 2-2.8µm, yellowish brown, + lenticular. _Actinodendron verticillatum_ + + 158(157) Gymnothecia rosy pink when young, becoming browner, + with spines and curved, non-septate hairs. Ascospores + hyaline, globose to subglobose, asperulate, + 3-5 × 2.5-4µm. _Gymnoascus californiensis_ (fig. 42) + - Gymnothecia yellow. Ascospores smooth. 159 + + 159(158) Gymnothecia yellow to yellow-brown, without elongated + appendages but with thick-walled branches, few of + which are pointed. Ascospores globose-ellipsoid, + yellow to brownish, 3-4.5 × 3.5µm. + _Gymnoascus reesii_ (fig. 43) + - Gymnothecia golden yellow to reddish-brown, with + acute-ended appendages. Ascospores lenticular, smooth, + hyaline, 2.5-3.5 × 2-2.5µm. _Pseudogymnoascus roseus_ + + 160(155) Gymnothecia orange brown, with comb-like appendages. + Ascospores slightly lenticular, pale orange, 3.3-3.6 + × 2-2.6µm. _Ctenomyces serratus_ (fig. 44) + - Gymnothecia whitish to pale ochraceous, particularly + when dry, with few appendages but those present twisted + and bent, and their branches constricted with regular + or irregular dumb-bell shaped cells. Hyphal walls + asperulate or with protuberances. Ascospores smooth, + lenticular, hyaline, 2.4-3.3 × 2µm. + _Arthroderma curreyi_ (fig. 45) + + 161(150) Asci relatively large, 100-200-spored, 1-3/fruit body. + 'Cleistothecia' minute, <100 (rarely <250)µm diam., + immersed. see _Thelebolus_ etc. (Key 1, 86) + - Asci with 8 or fewer spores. 162 + + 162(161) Ascospores purple at maturity, large, 50-70 × 25-35µm, + epispore with a few longitudinal cracks. + see _Ascobolus immersus_ (Key 1, 48) + - Ascospores smaller, hyaline, yellow, olivaceous, brown + or black. 163 + + 163(162) Ascospores olivaceous, brown or black, at least in part. 164 + - Ascospores aseptate, hyaline, yellow or other pale colours. 174 + + 164(163) Ascospores 4-celled (cf. _Sporormiella_), with germ + slits, readily fragmenting. Asci clavate, bitunicate. + Cleistothecia black, shiny, up to 500µm diam. 165 + - Ascospores 1- or 2-celled. 166 + + 165(164) Ascus stalk up to 20µm long. Ascospores 25-32 × 5µm. + _Preussia vulgaris_ + - Ascus stalk 30-60µm long. Ascospores 26-38 × 5-7µm. + _Preussia funiculata_ (fig. 47) + + 166(164) Ascospores 2-celled. 167 + - Ascospores 1-celled. 170 + + 167(166) Spores unequally 2-celled, one brown ellipsoid, with an + apical germ pore, 10-12 × 6.5-7.5µm, the other a basal + hyaline, cylindrical pedicel, 6-8 × 3µm. Cleistothecia + black, globose, up to 250µm diam., covered with + flexuous brown hairs up to 1mm long. Asci evanescent. + _Zopfiella erostrata_ + - Spores equally 2-celled. 168 + + 168(167) Spores not constricted at the septum, ellipsoid, + golden-brown, 25-30 × 10-15µm with 1-3 guttules in + each cell. Cleistothecia gregarious on a mycelial mat, + whitish to pale orange, up to 500µm diam. + _Heleococcum aurantiacum_ (fig. 48) + - Spores hyaline, divided into two almost globose cells + by the constricting septum. Ascomata superficial, + globose, dark coloured. (_Mycoarachis_) 169 + + 169(168) Asci 8-spored, 5.5-11µm diam. Spores 5-5.5 × 3-3.5µm. + _Mycoarachis inversa_ + - Asci 4-spored, 6-6.5µm diam. Spores 4.5-5 × 2-2.5µm. + _Mycoarachis tetraspora_ + + 170(166) Asci broad-clavate, (1)-2-(3)-spored, 30-50 × 13-18µm. + Spores brown-black with short ridges and warts, + subglobose, 12-15.5 × 11-12.5µm, with a single germ pore. + _Copromyces bisporus_ (fig. 49) + - Asci 8-spored. 171 + + 171(170) Spores globose, sooty brown, 3µm diam. Cleistothecia + gregarious, with basal spirally coiled appendages, + black, 100-200µm diam., partially immersed in a white + to red felty hyphal mat. _Pleuroascus nicholsonii_ + - Spores larger, ellipsoid or limoniform. 172 + +[Illustration: FIG. 46. Habit sketch of cleistothecia. FIGS 47-54. Asci and +spores. FIG. 47. _Preussia funiculata._ FIG. 48. _Heleococcum aurantiacum._ +FIG. 49. _Copromyces bisporus._ FIG. 50. _Arachnomyces nitidus._ FIG. 51. +_Orbicula parietina._ FIG. 52. _Roumegueriella rufula._ FIG. 53. +_Aphanoascus stercoraria._ FIG. 54. _Pseudeurotium ovale._] + + 172(171) Spores olivaceous, limoniform, usually with an apical + germ pore. Perithecia greyish or greenish, abundantly + hairy, branched or simple, straight or curly. Asci + pedicellate, soon disappearing. see _Chaetomium_ at 5 + - Spores darker, with 1 or more minute germ pores. + Cleistothecia distinctly but not abundantly hairy. 173 + + 173(172) Spores smoky brown, broadly ovoid, 9-14 × 6-9µm. + Cleistothecial hairs short, up to 30µm. + _Thielavia wareingii_ + - Spores dark brown, flattened limoniform, 13-16 × 10-13 + × 8-9µm. Cleistothecial hairs of two types, some smooth, + dark brown, arising from the base up to 3mm long, + others greyish green, rough, up to ca 120µm. + _Thielavia fimeti_ + + 174(163) Cleistothecia produced within a common arachnoid + mycelial mass. Spores smooth or minutely asperulate, + yellow to yellow-brown, broadly ellipsoid, 4-5 × 3-5µm. + _Aphanoascus fulvescens_ + - Cleistothecia single or gregarious, but not on or in + a mycelial mass. 175 + + 175(174) Cleistothecia 170-750µm diam., covered with long + (several mm when extended), thick-walled, aseptate, + helical appendages. Asci clavate cylindrical, + evanescent, 35-62 × 12-21µm. Spores ellipsoid, hyaline, + 12-17 × 9-12µm. _Lasiobolidium spirale_ + - Cleistothecia without coiled appendages. 176 + + 176(175) Cleistothecia with hairs or appendages. 177 + - Cleistothecia smooth. 178 + + 177(176) Cleistothecia black, shining, 100-200µm diam., with dark + brown-black thick-walled hairs with hooked tips. Asci + 8-15µm diam. Spores straw or copper coloured, ellipsoid, + 4-7 × 3.5-4.5µm with de Bary bubble and a germ pore at + each end. _Kernia nitida_ + - Cleistothecia reddish brown, less than 1mm diam., with + long simple appendages curled at the tips. Spores + hyaline, oblate, 3.55 × 2-3µm. + _Arachnomyces nitidus_ (fig. 50) + + 178(176) Ascospores globose, larger than 9µm. 179 + - Ascospores ellipsoid, up to 9µm. Asci always subglobose. 180 + + 179(178) Ascospores, smooth, 9-13µm. _Orbicula parietina_ (fig. 51) + - Ascospores ornamented, 13-24µm Asci subglobose. + Cleistothecia ochraceous, becoming yellowish brown + or flushed cinnamon. _Roumegueriella rufula_ (fig. 52) + + 180(178) Ascospores hyaline, then faintly yellowish, minutely + spiny, 2.5-3 × 2-2.5µm. Cleistothecia pale, then + dark brown. _Aphanoascus stercoraria_ (fig. 53) + - Ascospores hyaline, then brown, smooth, 5.5-6 × 3.5-4µm. + Cleistothecia dark brown from the beginning. + _Pseudeurotium ovale_ (fig. 54) + + + + +Key 3. Basidiomycota + + + + 1 Basidia single-celled (fig. 55). 2 + - Basidia transversely or longitudinally septate (fig. 55), + or difficult to observe. 71 + + 2(1) Fruit body agaricoid, i.e. mushroom-shaped with gills + underneath cap (figs 56, 67). 3 + - Fruit body not agaricoid, without gills (figs 65, 66). 69 + + 3(2) Spore print white or pale coloured, hyaline s.m. (Usually + on straw/dung mixtures, never on raw dung except when + very old). 5 + - Spore print coloured. 4 + + 4(3) Spore print pinkish or pale cinnamon, honey-coloured s.m. + (Usually on straw/dung mixtures, never on raw dung). 6 + - Spore print darker, in shades of brown or black. 8 + + 5(3) Stem eccentric. Fruit body pure white. Spores ellipsoid, + smooth. _Pleurotellus_ s. lato + (If gills pink and spores longitudinally ridged see + _Clitopilus passackerianus_, fig. 67) + - Stem central. 7 + +[Illustration: FIG. 55. From left, sketches of holobasidium, with mature +basidiospore showing germ pore; auriculariaceous basidium; tremellaceous +basidium, lateral view and as often seen in sections.] + + 6(4) Fruit body white, ivory or very pale tan, with a smell of + cucumber. Gills decurrent. _Clitocybe augeana_ + - Fruit body yellow, with scaly cap. Gills free or just + adnate. Fruit body with distinct ring and granular veil. + (Commonly in plant pots. Probably associated with peaty + material more than dung). _Leucocoprinus birnbaumii_ + (_L. cepaestipes_ and _L. lilacinogranulosus_ occur in similar + situations). + + 7(5) Fruit body with amethyst/purple shades, with eccentric + stem. Spores subglobose, slightly ornamented to nearly + smooth. (On compost heaps in gardens). _Lepista nuda_ + - Fruit body with pink gills and distinct volva at stem + base. Cap white to pale hazel. Stem white. Spores + broadly ellipsoid, smooth. _Volvariella speciosa_ + + 8(4) Spore print distinctly brown (fulvous, tawny, rust + coloured etc.). 9 + - Spore print some darker shade, fuscous, fuliginous or + violaceous black. 20 + + 9(8) Stem distinctly annulate, apex striate. _Conocybe percincta_ + (Has been found on straw/dung mixtures, never on raw + dung). + - Stem lacking a veil. 10 + + 10(9) Cap rich chrome yellow, viscid, soon reduced to a + sticky mass, easily collapsing. _Bolbitius vitellinus_ + - Cap in shades of brown, never brightly coloured and if + collapsing then cap elongate-cylindric and white to + pale cream. 11 + + 11(10) Spore print dull, sepia or snuff-brown. On rabbit + pellets in sand dunes. _Agrocybe subpediades_ + - Spore print, brighter coloured, orange/rust brown. + (_Conocybe_) 12 + + 12(11) Gill edge with irregularly fusoid cystidia with obtuse + apices (lageniform). Cap viscid. _Conocybe coprophila_ + - Gill edge with distinctly capitate cells resembling a + glass stoppered bottle (lecythiform). Cap never viscid, + often pubescent under a lens. 13 + + 13(12) Stem covered in long hairs. 14 + - Stem covered in lecythiform cells similar to those on + gill edge, giving a farinaceous appearance under a lens. + NEVER with long hairs. (Dung/straw mixtures). Large as + in a _Cortinarius_. Spores smooth. _Conocybe intrusa_ + (_C. leucopus_ has been found on manured soil in gardens; + _C. antipus_ has hexagonal spores and grows on dung piles). + + 14(13) Stem with both long hairs and lecythiform cystidia. + [Illustration] 15 + - Stem with hairs and lageniform cystidia. + [Illustration] 16 + + 15(14) Spores 11-14 × 7-9µm. Taste and smell strong, of fresh + meal. _Conocybe farinacea_ + - Spores large, over 15 × up to 10µm. Taste and smell + none or slightly acidic. _Conocybe pubescens_ + (_C. subpubescens_ might be found on straw/dung mixtures, and + differs in spores 11-13 × 6-8µm). + + 16(14) Basidia 2-spored. _Conocybe rickenii_ + - Basidia 4-spored. 17 + + 17(16) Spores ellipsoid. 18 + - Spores lentiform, angular in face view. + _Conocybe lenticulospora_ + + 18(17) Cap grey, contrasting with yellowish cream gills and + pale stem. Spores 10.5-12.5 × 6-7µm. _Conocybe murinacea_ + - Cap pinkish brown or tawny. 19 + + 19(18) Spores 11-12 × 7.2-7.8µm. Cap sienna. On raw dung. + _Conocybe fimetaria_ + - Spores 10-12 × 6-7µm. Cap pinkish to cinnamon brown. + On manured soil or sewage sludge. + _Conocybe fuscomarginata_ + (_Conocybe siennophylla_ might be found on straw/dung mixtures + or in soil in greenhouses. It differs in having smaller spores). + + 20(8) Cap deliquescing to some degree at maturity. Basidia + of 2 or 3 different sizes. (_Coprinus_) 21 + - Cap not deliquescing. Basidia of one size only. 49 + + 21(20) Veil on cap absent, cap either covered with small + hairs (setules) or naked. 22 + - Cap covered with a granular, micaceous, powdery or + fibrillar veil. 28 + +[Illustration: FIG. 56. Habit sketch of a stipitate agaric, _Psathyrella +stercoraria_, with section. FIG. 57. Sketch of gill section of +_Psathyrella_ sp., showing position of marginal (m) and facial (f) +cystidia. FIG. 58. _Coprinus pellucidus_, habit and vertical section of cap +cuticle. FIG. 59. _C. pseudoradiatus_, habit and veil constituents. FIG. +60. _C. vermiculifer_, habit and veil constituents. FIG. 61. _C. +filamentifer_, veil constituents. FIG. 62. _C. stercoreus_, habit. FIG. 63. +_C. cordisporus_, vertical section of cap showing nature of veil cells on +the cap cuticle. FIG. 64. Veil cells with structural (l) and superficial +crystalline (r) ornamentation.] + + 22(21) Cap without setules. 23 + - Cap with setules. 24 + + 23(22) Cap minute, 1-5mm high before expanding, reddish orange + at first, soon fading. Basidiospores almost globose + to triangular in one view, elliptic in another, 7-10 + × 7-9 × 5.5-6.5µm. (2- and 4-spored forms have been + found). _Coprinus miser_ + - Cap larger, up to 15mm when expanded. Basidiospores + pip-shaped, 7.5-8.5 × 9.5-11 × 9.5-11.5µm. (4-spored). + _Coprinus nudiceps_ + + 24(22) Spores hexagonal, 10-13 × 6.5-7.5µm. Cap purplish. + _Coprinus hexagonosporus_ + - Spores ellipsoid. Cap brown or reddish, without + purplish tints. 25 + + 25(24) Basidia 4-spored. 26 + - Basidia 2-spored. Spores 11-13 × 5.5-7µm. Facial + cystidia absent. _Coprinus bisporus_ + (_Coprinus sassii_, not yet recorded in British Isles, has + 2-spored basidia with very large ellipsoid spores up to 20µm + long). + + 26(25) Cap with a mixture of hyaline and brown thick-walled + setules. Spores 9-10 × 5.5-6µm, with eccentric germ + pore. Facial cystidia absent. + _Coprinus heterosetulosus_ + - Cap with only one type of setule. Facial cystidia + present or absent. 27 + + 27(26) Facial cystidia present. Spores 7.9-13.3 × 4.4-6.4µm, + with apical germ pore. _Coprinus stellatus_ + - Facial cystidia absent. Spores elongate and narrow, + rarely greater than 5µm wide, with apical germ pore. + Fruit body usually quite small, up to 6mm before + expanding. _Coprinus pellucidus_ (fig. 58) + (Several species in the group, e.g. _C. congregatus_ and + _C. ephemerus_ have been found on straw/dung mixtures). + + 28(21) Veil strongly adhering to cap. Spores elliptic ovate, + 15-20 × 8-12µm. Stem with distinct ring. Usually on + buried dung. _Coprinus sterquilinus_ + - Veil more floccose or powdery. Stem lacking ring or, + if present (_C. ephemeroides_), fruit body small with + 5-angled spores less than 10µm long. 29 + + 29(28) Veil composed of filamentous units. 30 + - Filamentous units, if present, masked by a preponderance + of rounded cells. 35 + + 30(29) Veil composed of strings of sausage-shaped, thin-walled, + hyaline cells. 31 + - Veil composed of rather narrow, slightly thickened hyphae. 32 + + 31(30) Spores large, 11-14 × 6-7µm. Cap up to 1cm before + expanding. Fruit body with or without a rooting base. + _Coprinus radiatus_ + - Spores smaller, up to 9µm long. Cap up to 6mm before + expanding. Fruit body without a rooting base. + _Coprinus pseudoradiatus_ (fig. 59) + (_C. cinereus_ is found on straw/dung mixture and + _C. macrocephalus_, with large spores, has been recorded on + raw dung). + + 32(30) Veil citrus- or lime-yellow, or a mixture of hyaline + and brown strongly coloured hyphae. 33 + - Veil grey or whitish. 34 + + 33(32) Veil of yellow hyphae. Spores 10.5-12.5 × 6-7.5µm. + _Coprinus luteocephalus_ + - Veil with brown hyphae. Spores 7-9 × 3.5-5µm. + _Coprinus poliomallus_ + + 34(32) Veil hyphae thin-walled. Spores 6.5-7.5 × 5µm, + 'shouldered' about the apiculus. + _Coprinus filamentifer_ (fig. 61) + - Veil hyphae thin- and thick-walled, often with clamps. + Spores elliptic-oblong, 9-10 × 5-6µm. + _Coprinus vermiculifer_ (fig. 60) + (_Coprinus flocculosus_, with spores 11.5-16.5 × 6-9.5µm, can + be found on straw/dung mixtures). + + 35(29) Stem with small, distinct ring. Spores subglobose to + lentiform and 5-angled, 6-9 × 6.5-8 × 5-6µm. + _Coprinus ephemeroides_ + - Stem at most with fibrils, even then rarely forming a + faint ring zone. 36 + + 36(35) with setules in addition to veil. 37 + - Cap without setules. 38 + + 37(36) Cap cystidia tapered. Spores 11-14 × 5-6.5µm. + _Coprinus heptemerus_ + - Cap cystidia capitate. Spores 10-11 × 6-7µm. + _Coprinus curtus_ + + 38(36) Veil of inflated bladder-like cells attached to + filamentous units. Spores 7.5-8 × 4.5-5.5µm. + _Coprinus utrifer_ + - Veil of globose and subglobose cells and filamentous + units often encrusted or with minute projections found + sometimes at cap margin. 39 + + 39(38) Globose cells, if ornamented then possessing crystalline + or amorphous material (dissolved by 1N HCl, fig. 64.) 40 + - Globose cells covered in small fine blunt projections + on the walls (not removed by 1N HCl, fig. 64). 45 + + 40(39) Basidia 2-spored. 41 + - Basidia 4-spored. 42 + + 41(40) Spores 14-17 × 8.5-10 × 12.5-14µm. _Coprinus pachyspermus_ + - Spores smaller, 9-11 × 6-6.5 × 8-9µm. _Coprinus cordisporus_ + (2-spored form) + + 42(40) Spores less than 10µm long. _Coprinus cordisporus_ (fig. 63) + (_C. patouillardii_ is known on garden refuse, and an + undescribed species with lemon-shaped spores has recently + been found). + - Spores 10µm or more long. 43 + + 43(42) Veil soon discolouring greyish, drab or buff, Spores + 11.5-14.5 × 6-8 × 7.5-9µm. _Coprinus cothurnatus_ + - Veil remaining snowy white, only slowly discolouring + greyish. 44 + + 44(43) Fruit bodies several cm tall. Spores 15-19 × 8.5-11.5 × + 11-13µm. _Coprinus niveus_ + - Cap small, 5-6mm at first. Spores 14-16 x 8-9 × + 10-12.5µm. _Coprinus latisporus_ + + 45(39) Basidia 3-spored. 46 + - Basidia 4-spored. 47 + + 46(45) Spores narrow, 8.5-11 × 5-6.2µm. _Coprinus triplex_ + - Spores broad, 9-10 x 6-6.5 × 6-7µm, slightly flattened + in face view. _Coprinus trisporus_ + (These are possibly a single taxon). + + 47(45) Spores 7-8 × 4-4.5µm, perispore not visible in water + or alkali mounts. _Coprinus stercoreus_ (fig. 62) + - Spores 9µm or more long. 48 + + 48(47) Spores 9-11 × 5.5-6µm. Perisporal sac none or + incomplete or indistinct. _Coprinus foetidellus_ + - Spores longer, 10.8-13.5 × 5.5-7µm, with distinct + perispore with dark lines and inclusions. Distinctive + smell of gas. _Coprinus narcoticus_ + (_C. sclerotiger_ is found on straw/dung mixtures, and the + smaller _C. tuberosus_ on garden refuse etc.). + + 49(20) Spores not discoloured in conc. H2SO4. 50 + - Spores discolouring in conc. H2SO4. Gills not spotted + at maturity. 66 + + 50(49) Cap cuticle cellular. Gills spotted at maturity. (More + often on rich, 'dungy', soils. _P. subbalteatus_, with + copper coloured cap, drying paler but retaining a dark + marginal zone, occurs in gardens on mulch etc.). + (_Panaeolus_) 51 + - Cap cuticle filamentous. 56 + + 51(50) Velar remnants very obvious, either as an appendiculate + veil or as a distinct ring. 52 + - Lacking all velar remnants. 54 + + 52(51) Cap distinctly pigmented, with appendiculate veil. 53 + - Cap pale coloured, smooth, semi-globate, soon cracking. + Gills with marginal cystidia only. + _Panaeolus papilionaceus_ + + 53(52) Cap brown, smooth, sometimes viscid, not exceedingly + wrinkled. _Panaeolus campanulatus_ + - Cap grey, olivaceous, even black, with contrasting + white appendiculate veil. _Panaeolus sphinctrinus_ + + 54(51) Cap with or without appendiculate veil, but always with + distinct ring. _Panaeolus semiovatus_ + - Cap lacking veil. 55 + + 55(54) Cap pinkish ochraceous to tawny-buff. Lacking facial + cystidia. _Panaeolus speciosus_ + - Cap whitish or slightly yellowish. With facial cystidia. + _Panaeolus antillarum_ + + 56(50) Gills with facial cystidia often containing yellow + amorphous material when seen in ammonia solution or + deep blue with cotton blue. (_Stropharia_) 57 + (Blue-green _S. cyanea_ & _S. aeruginosa_ often occur in + rich garden soils). + - Gills lacking facial cystidia. Never with yellowing + cystidia in ammonia. (_Psilocybe_) 58 + (Red-capped _P. aurantia_ can be found on straw/mulch mixtures + in gardens). + + 57(56) Cap sticky, semi-globate ± expanding at maturity. On raw + dung. _Stropharia semiglobata_ + - Cap plano-convex, often broad with a central umbo, + margin flaring with age. On dungy mixtures in + gardens. _Stropharia stercoraria_ + + 58(56) Stipe bluing, with ring. Spores ellipsoid, 11-14 × + 6.5-7.5µm. Fruit body with mealy smell and taste. + _Psilocybe fimetaria_ + - Stipe lacking distinct ring, or if with ring or ring + zone 2-spored and/or stem not bluing. Fruit body without + mealy smell and taste. 59 + + 59(58) Stem always with distinct ring. Basidia 2-spored. + Spores 15-20µm long. _Psilocybe luteonitens_ + - Stem with or without ring. Basidia 4-spored. If with + ring, spores smaller. 60 + + 60(59) With ring zone. 61 + - Lacking velar remnants on stem, or only appendiculate + teeth at cap margin. 62 + + 61(60) Spores slightly angular/limoniform, 11-13(14) × 7-8µm. + Often on sewage sludge. _Psilocybe merdaria_ + - Spores 13-14 × 7.5-8.5µm. _Psilocybe moelleri_ + + 62(60) Spores 14-20 × 8-10µm. _Psilocybe subcoprophila_ + - Spores smaller. 63 + + 63(62) Spores lentiform, angled, 6-8(8.5) × 4.5-5.5 × + 3.75-4.5µm. _Psilocybe bullacea_ + (_P. crobula_, occasional on dung, differs in lacking purple + colour in gills, and slightly smaller, ovoid, not angular, + spores). + - Spores larger. 64 + + 64(63) Spores ellipsoid to slightly amygdaliform. + _Psilocybe merdicola_ + - Spores lentiform, angular. 65 + + 65(64) Spores 11-13(14) × 7-8(9)µm. see _Psilocybe merdaria_, 61 + - Spores 12-15 × 8-9.5µm _Psilocybe coprophila_ + + 66(49) Round cells on cap as a micaceous veil. (Re-examine + gill face; if different sized basidia and facial + cystidia separating the gills are present go to + _Coprinus_ at 21). _Psathyrella sphaerocystis_ + - Cap lacking veil, or if present then fibrillar. 67 + + 67(66) White copious veil at margin or also covering cap + centre. Spores 10-12 × 5.5-6µm. _Psathyrella coprobia_ + - Lacking copious veil. 68 + + 68(67) With red edge to gill. Spores 12-13 × 6-6.5µm, with + central germ pore. _Psathyrella stercoraria_ + - Lacking red gill edge. Spores with eccentric germ pore. + _Psathyrella coprophila_ + (_P. fimetaria_ differs in spore size; there are several members + of the _P. prona_ group which grow on soil/straw mixtures). + + 69(2) Fruit body club-shaped. _Typhula setipes_ (fig. 65) + (_Clavaria acuta_ often grows on peaty soil in pots + in greenhouses). + - Fruit bodies effuse, resupinate 70 + + 70(69) Fruit-body cobweb-like and greyish white. Basal hyphae + 3-4.5µm wide. Spores sub-globose, 4.5µm diam. (Generally + on old dung or straw/soil mixtures). _Athelia coprophila_ + (If with spiny spores 5-6µm diam., see the recently recorded + _Tomentellopsis echinospora_). + - Fruit-body with pores, white or flushed slightly + ochraceous, brownish or greyish. (On clods of soil in + dunged land). _Cristella candidissima_ + + 71(1) Fruit body either a cup containing several 'eggs' or a + single orange or yellowish gelatinous sphere. 72 + - Fruit-body effuse, without distinct shape. 73 + + 72(71) Fruit-body whitish or pale yellow, up to 2.5mm diam., + splitting at maturity to shoot away the orange/yellow + spore mass. _Sphaerobolus stellatus_ (fig. 66) + - Fruit-body cup shaped, with silvery-grey 'eggs'. + (Usually on dung and straw or attached to rabbit + pellets). _Cyathus stercoreus_ + (_Cyathus vernicosus_ often grows in plant pots on rich soil). + + 73(71) Basidia with transverse septa. Spores 11 × 7µm. Fruit + body pinkish. _Platygloea fimicola_ + (Not British; included for completeness. _Pilacrella solani_, + with a glistening stipitate head, has been isolated from + dungy soil). + - Basidia with longitudinal septa. Spores 14-18 × 9-10µm. + Fruit body cream-white or ivory. _Sebacina incrustans_ + +[Illustration: FIG. 65. Habit sketch of _Typhula_ sp. Note attachment to +sclerotium. FIG. 66. _Sphaerobolus stellatus_, habit. FIG. 67. _Clitopilus +passackerianus_, a sessile agaric--habit sketch and section.] + + + + +Key 4. Zygomycota + + + + 1 Spores formed in multispored sporangia (figs 68, 70, + 72, 75, 76) or in few-spored sporangioles (figs 70, 73). 2 + - Multispored sporangia and globose sporangioles absent. + Spores formed singly on terminal, lateral or + intermediate vesicles (figs 74, 79, 80, 82-86), or + in short chains (figs 77, 78, 81). 11 + + 2(1) Sporangiophore stout, simple, with a subsporangial + swelling and a basal swelling buried in the substrate. + Sporangia tough walled, black, projected some distance + towards the light when mature, and sticking to whatever + they hit. _Pilobolus_ (fig. 76) + e.g. spores pale yellow, 8-10 × 5-6µm - _P. crystallinus_ + spores orange, 12-20 × 6-10µm. - _P. kleinii_ + - Sporangiophores not stout; sporangia not violently + discharged. 3 + + 3(2) Sporangial wall black, tough, not readily broken when + touched. Sporangia with a sticky base, becoming + attached to whatever they contact after the marked + elongation of the white sporangiophores at maturity. + _Pilaira_ (fig. 75) + e.g. spores yellowish, 8-10 × 6µm - _P. anomala_ + spores colourless, 11-13 × 6-8µm - _P. moreaui_ + - Sporangial wall diffluent, spores readily removed in + a droplet, or fragile and then spores easily dispersed + by external violence. 4 + + 4(3) Sporangiophores stiff and metallic in appearance, + growing towards the light and often to great length + (5-30cm). _Phycomyces_ + e.g. spores 10.5-30 × 6.5-17µm; columella pyriform; + sporangiophores up to 30cm - _P. nitens_ + spores 8-13 × 5-7.5µm; columella spherical or ovoid; + sporangiophores up to 30cm - _P. blakesleeanus_ + - Sporangiophores white, not reaching extreme lengths. 5 + + 5(4) Small lateral sporangia (sporangioles) present. 10 + - Sporangioles absent. 6 + + 6(5) Sporangiophores usually grouped, less often single, + connected by stolon-like hyphae. 7 + - Sporangiophores arising singly, or if grouped then + lacking stolon-like hyphae. 9 + + 7(6) Stolons joining groups of sporangiophores often with + rhizoids at the base of the group. 8 + - Sporangiophores arising singly or in groups from + stolons, which may be 'rooted' at intervals along + their length, but rarely beneath the groups of + sporangiophores. _Absidia_ (fig. 71) + e.g. sporangiophores grouped, rhizoids poorly + developed; spores 2.5-4.5µm diam. - _A. corymbifera_ + sporangiophores grouped, rhizoids strongly developed; + spores 2.5-3.5µm diam. - _A. orchidis_ + + 8(7) Sporangiophores mostly unbranched. _Rhizopus_ (fig. 69) + e.g. spores irregularly angular-ovoid, 8-14 × 11µm + - _R. nigricans_ + - Sporangiophores with a whorl of branches beneath the + main sporangium, each with a small columellate + sporangium. Spores 6-8.5µm. _Actinomucor elegans_ + +[Illustration: FIG. 68. _Mucor_, habit and detail of sporangium before and +after dehiscence. FIG. 69. _Rhizopus_, habit. FIG. 70. _Thamnidium +elegans_, habit and detail of sporangioles. FIG. 71. _Absidia_, habit. FIG. +72. _Mortierella_, habit and sporangiophore tip after sporangial +dehiscence. FIG. 73. _Helicostylum_, sporangioles. FIG. 74. +_Chaetocladium_, sporangioles. FIG. 75. _Pilaira_, sporangiophores before +and after elongation, and sporangium. FIG. 76. _Pilobolus_, sporangiophore. +FIG. 77. _Syncephalis_, habit, sporangiophore and merosporangia. FIG. 78. +_Piptocephalis_, habit and detail of final branch with head cell and +merosporangia. FIG. 79. _Oedocephalum_, habit and sporing head. FIG. 80. +_Rhopalomyces_, sporing head. FIG. 81. _Syncephalastrum_, habit and detail +of merosporangium. FIG. 82. _Coemansia_, habit, sporoclade with sporangia +and sporangium with spore inside. FIG. 83. _Kickxella_, habit and +sporoclade. FIG. 84. _Cunninghamella_, habit and fertile head. FIG. 85. +_Mycotypha_ (l) and _Ostracoderma_ (r) conidiophores. FIG. 86. +_Ballocephala_, habit of sporangiophores growing from parasitised +tardigrade, sporangiophore and sporangia.] + + 9(6) Sporangia often with pigmented walls, yellowish when + young, finally grey or black, with well marked columella + left after spore dispersal. Individual sporangiophores + observable with unaided eye, up to 20mm long. + _Mucor_ (fig. 68) + e.g. spores smooth, 7-8 × 2.5-4.5µm - _M. hiemalis_ + spores smooth, 6-12 x 3-6µm - _M. mucedo_ + spores asperulate, 5-8.µm diam. - _M. plumbeus_ + (N.B. _Zygorhynchus_ would key out with _Mucor_. It is more + often isolated from soil, and is distinguished from _Mucor_ + by the presence of zygospores with unequal suspensors) + - Sporangia white, without a columella, readily becoming + a spore droplet. Sporangiophores delicate, often only + 200-400µm long. Fine, white, garlic-smelling mycelium + often present. _Mortierella_ (fig. 72) + e.g. spores 16-27µm diam, few in each sporangium; + sporangiophores ca 150µm, with short lateral branches + at right angles - _M. reticulata_ + spores 6-10 x 4-6µm; sporangiophores 2-3mm high, + with ascending branches - _M. bainieri_ + spores 4-10µm; sporangiophores richly branched - _M. candelabrum_ + + 10(5) Sporangioles formed at the final tips of a densely + dichotomous system of branchlets, originating some + distance below a terminal sporangium (which may be + absent in young specimens). Sporangioles up to 25µm + diam., with up to 6 spores. Spores 8-12 × 6-8µm. + _Thamnidium elegans_ (fig. 70) + - Sporangioles either at the curved tips of slender + branches, or clustered in groups about halfway along + tapering branches which radiate from the sporangiophore + below the sporangium; the branch tips of the latter + give the fertile portion of the sporangiophore a + bristly appearance. _Helicostylum_ (fig. 73) + e.g. spores 8-17 × 3-7µm; sporangioles on short + secondary or tertiary branches; fertile region bristly + with sterile branches - _H. fresenii_ + spores 6-8 × 4µm; sporangioles reflexed, on slender + primary or secondary branches; fertile region without + sterile branches - _H. pyriforme_ + + 11(1) Spores formed in chains. 12 + - Spores formed singly. 14 + + 12(11) Sporangiophores regularly and repeatedly dichotomously + branched. Chains of 2-10 spores produced in small + groups, which may be wet or dry, on deciduous heads, + 4-15µm diam. Parasitic on other fungi, mostly other + Mucorales. _Piptocephalis_ (fig. 78) + e.g. spores 4-5 × 2-3µm, in pairs; heads dry - _P. lepidula_ + spores 5-6 × 2-2.5µm, in chains of 4-9; + heads dry - _P. cylindrospora_ + spores 4-8 × 2-4µm, in chains of 3-5; heads dry; + sporangiophore without rhizoids - _P. freseniana_ + spores 4-6 × 4-4.5µm, in chains of 3-6; heads wet; + sporangiophore with rhizoids - _P. repens_ + spores 3-5 × 2-2.5µm, in chains of 3-5, heads wet; head + cell lyses, to leave only a fringe at the tip of the + very fine sporangiophore - _P. fimbriata_ + - Sporangiophores simple or irregularly branched. 13 + + 13(12) A large conspicuous fungus, macroscopically Mucor-like, + mycelium coarse. Sporangiophores with a distinct terminal + swelling with crowded spore chains. Spores usually 5-10 + in a chain, globose to ovoid, 2-8 × 4-6µm. + _Syncephalastrum racemosum_ (fig. 81) + - Sporangiophores less conspicuous, 100-1000µm high, with + a 'holdfast' at the base attaching the sporangiophore to + the substrate. Mycelium very fine. Parasitic on other + Mucorales. _Syncephalis_ (fig. 77) + e.g. sporangiophores 100-200µm high, with three + 'nodes' along their length; merosporangia often forked + at the basal cell; spores 8-10 × 6µm - _S. nodosa_ + sporangiophores up to 750µm high; merosporangia + usually subdivided at their base into several branches, + each with 5-10 spores; spores 5-10 × 3-4µm - _S. depressa_ + (N.B. _Oedocephalum_ spp. (fig. 79), the anamorphic states of + many dung fungi (esp. Ascobolaceae and Pezizaceae), + _Rhopalomyces_ (fig. 80), and some _Aspergillus_ spp. are + superficially similar to _Syncephalis_ at first sight). + + 14(11) Sporangia containing a single closely fitting elongated + spore, produced in serried ranks on one side of a + boat-shaped branch (sporoclade). 15 + - Single-spored sporangia ('spores') globose, produced + singly or if in groups not on sporoclades. 16 + + 15(14) Sporoclades lateral. Sporangiophores usually yellowish. + (No parasitism has been demonstrated, but in culture + grows much better in the presence of the white, + garlic-smelling _Mortierella_ spp.). _Coemansia_ (fig. 82) + e.g. spores 6-11µm long; sporoclades spirally arranged + around the axis - _C. erecta_ + spores 16-18µm long; sporoclades formed on one side of the + axis, causing it to curve to one side - _C. scorpoidea_ + - Sporoclades produced in a terminal verticil. + Sporangiophores shining white. + _Kickxella alabastrina_ (fig. 83) + + 16(14) Spores produced in clusters below the apex of the final + branches of a compound, often trifid, branching system + which is given a bristly appearance by the projecting + tips. Superficially similar to _Thamnidium_ or + _Helicostylum_. Capable of parasitising, and growing + much better in association with, other Mucorales. + _Chaetocladium_ (fig. 74) + e.g. spores smooth, 4-6µm diam. - _C. brefeldii_ + spores echinulate, 6.5-9.5µm - _C. jonesii_ + - 'Spores' not produced in subterminal clusters, but + terminally on lateral vesicles, or over the surface of + swollen fertile regions of the sporangiophore. 17 + + 17(16) Sporangiophores up to 250µm high. Lateral vesicles + numerous, each producing a single 'spore', which is + projected when mature. Parasitic on tardigiades. + _Ballocephala_ (fig. 86) + - Sporangiophores visible with the unaided eye. Spores + produced on swollen parts of the sporangiophore. 18 + + 18(17) Sporangiophores branched, with more or less globose + terminal fertile regions. Spores dry and powdery, + yellowish or pinkish in mass. _Cunninghamella_ (fig. 84) + e.g. spores smooth, ovoid, 18-22 × 10-14µm or + globose, 8-10µm diam. - _C. elegans_ + spores echinulate, ovoid, 8-12µm - _C. africana_ + - Sporangiophores unbranched, fertile portion 200-300 × + 15-20µm. Fertile region terminal only, cylindrical. + Spores smooth, greyish in mass, 2-4µm diam. + _Mycotypha microspora_ (fig. 85) + (N.B. _Ostracoderma epigea_ (fig. 85), the anamorph of + _Peziza astracoderma_, which occurs on paper and sometimes + dung and highly organic substrates, was originally described + as _Mycotypha dichotoma_. The fertile regions are cylindrical + but multiple as the result of several close dichotomous + divisions at the base of the fertile portion). + + +Notes + +[1] There are few reports of _Ascozonus_, apart from _A. woolhopensis_. + Observed spore sizes of _A. woolhopensis_ suggest that measurement of + Renny's (1874) illustrations of spores leads to values which are too + large (19-20 × 6-6.5µm). Those in parentheses are what they might be, + based on the discrepancy between observed values for _A. woolhopensis_ + and Renny's illustration. + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Keys to Fungi on Dung, by +Mike Richardson and Roy Watling + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 57291 *** |