Chitonomyces ensifer Speg.

Santamaria, Sergi & Pedersen, Jan, 2021, Laboulbeniomycetes (Fungi, Ascomycota) of Denmark, European Journal of Taxonomy 781, pp. 1-425 : 103

Chitonomyces ensifer Speg.

MB#177051

Fig. 20G

Anales del Museo Nacional de Historia Natural de Buenos Aires 27: 45 ( Spegazzini 1915b; as ensiferus). –

Type: “ Sobre el abdomen y el margen de los élitros de Laccophilus virescens , pescado en los charcos cerca de Conegliano , Jul. y Nov. 1913 ”; LPS. [ Italy]

Diagnostic features

The perithecium bears a nearly straight, finger-like, pointed outgrowth, up to 44 µm long, directed obliquely upwards, arising from the lower third of the perithecial wall ( Fig. 20G , arrow). Cell VI sometimes inflated and prominent below the perithecium ( Fig. 20G , VI). [Detailed descriptions: Majewski 1994b; Santamaria 2001b, 2003]

Distribution and hosts

Between the claws of Laccophilus (Col. Dytiscidae ) from Italy (type), Poland ( Majewski 1994b), and Spain ( Santamaria 2001b).

Collections examined from Denmark

On Laccophilus minutus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Col. Dytiscidae )

DENMARK – Bornholm (B) • Raghammer Odde ; 55°1.193′ N, 14°55.777′ E; VA99; 22 Jun. 2018; JP 1146; JP det.; ZMUC C-F-123670 . – Vestjylland (WJ) • Simmelmose ; 55°46.299′ N, 9°3.519′ E; NG08; 2 Jun. 2019; JP 1478; JP det.; ZMUC C-F-124058 .

Remarks

First record from Denmark. Easily overlooked because it is a tiny species which grows in a very hidden position. The new finding suggests a wider distribution than indicated by the relatively few previous records, especially when it is taken into account that the host species is very common and widespread.

Figures

Fig. 20. Chitonomyces spp. A–B. C. aculeifer Speg. Mature thalli with labelling of cells and other parts of the thallus, i.e., cells I, Ia, II, IIa, III, IIIa, VI, antheridium (an), primary appendage (pa) and perithecial outgrowth (arrow). A. From Graptodytes. B. From Haliplus. –C–D. C. bidessarius (Thaxt.) Thaxt. Mature thalli with labelling of cells of the thallus, i.e., cells I, Ia, II, IIa, III, and IIIa. – E–F. C. elongatus Speg. E. Thallus from a female host. F. Thallus from a male host. – G. C. ensifer Speg. Mature thallus showing prominent cell VI and perithecial outgrowth (arrow). Scale bars: 50 µm. Photographs from slides ZMUC C-F-123553 (A), ZMUC C-F-124083 (B), ZMUC C-F-122816 (C–D), ZMUC C-F-124060 (E), ZMUC C-F-124061 (F), ZMUC C-F-123670 (G).