Images of
Orbiliomycetes (Ascomycetes)
This is a preliminary
compilation of a monograph on the Orbiliomycetes now about 20 years under
study. Only very recently this group of small to very small cup fungi
(discomycetes) has been attributed the rank of a class within the Ascomycetes. Previously,
the included species have mainly been assigned to the genera Orbilia Fr. (1835) and Hyalinia Boud. (1885) and erroneously
treated in the Helotiales (Leotiomycetes). Before this study was undertaken,
the group has only rather sporadically been investigated and comprised only
about ?35 more or less accepted taxa. Our investigations predominantly on xeric
habitats brought to light a much higher number of species (presently about 370!).
Most of them will be described as new to science, while a lot of often more or
less insufficiently known taxa published by various authors are redescribed
from the type material. The monograph focuses on vital taxonomy and xeric
habitats, two rather neglected but highly important topics.
The present
survey provides an overview on the macro- and microscopical character diversity
and on the ecology of the class Orbiliomycetes. The major part of the photos
were made by myself, mostly using a Nikon Coolpix 4500 (now ca. 250 €, only
available second-hand) with a Russian Horizon 10x lens (c. 40 €) in front of
the objective, mostly illuminated by a ring of 4 small LEDs (self-made system
by G. Marson). If photos or collections derive from other persons, I have
indicated the author.
A. Dry
versus hydrated state of apothecia
B. Overview on genera and sections
The here presented images consistently show the
apothecia in the hydrated state (either fresh or rehydrated). Rehydrated
apothecia are mainly those from xerotolerant species. Such taxa are usually
collected in the dry state but rewetted prior to examination and imaging.
The major part of Orbiliomycetes look
macroscopically very similar or more or less identical, and that even among
different sections or subgenera. Identification at species or higher level is
only possible from micromorphological features seen with the light microscope
at oil immersion. Although the macroscopy of Orbiliomycetes appears partly very
characteristic and beautiful, a high variation among collections of the very
same species is often noted, especially concerning colour, size and shape of
apothecia, and length of marginal hairs. This variation is here only exemplified
for some of the presented species.
a. Lilapila, Liladisca & Rotiferodiscus
b. Hyalorbilia
c.
Orbilia subgenus Hemiorbilia
2. sectio euonymi
+ myriospora
d.
Orbilia subgenus Orbilia
3.
sectio delicatula + microsoma
4. sectio auricolor + luteorubella
C. Helotiales
with a macroscopical similarity with Orbilia