We tend to record Diploscistes muscorum when parasitic on Cladonia (as here, from dorsetnature.co.uk/pages-lichen/l…) and D. scruposus when growing directly on rock. There are supposed to be microscopic differences but my observations seem difficult to resolve with the literature.
Thread:
Today I came across a colony growing on moss, no Cladonia in sight, on a gravestone. The number of spores per ascus fits muscorum while the septation of the spores fits scruposus! This not the first time I have noticed this problem.
The asci are consistently 4-spored which is supposed to be a D. muscorum trait.
Mature spores have more than 5 transverse septa which is supposed to be a D. scruposus trait. How do I decide which name to apply to this colony?
I stare blankly into the opening of one of the strange fruiting bodies, which combine characteristics of both perithecia and apothecia.
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