''Tremella iduensis'' is a

species A species () is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction. It is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), ...

fungus A fungus (: fungi , , , or ; or funguses) is any member of the group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and mold (fungus), molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as one ...

in the

family Family (from ) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). It forms the basis for social order. Ideally, families offer predictabili ...

Tremellaceae. It produces yellow, cornute-

frondose Frondosity (from Latin ''frondōsus'' meaning 'leafy') is the property of an organism that normally flourishes with fronds or leaf-like structures. Many frondose organisms are thalloid and lack the organization of tissues into organs, with the ...

, gelatinous

basidiocarps In fungi, a basidiocarp, basidiome, or basidioma () is the sporocarp of a basidiomycete, the multicellular structure on which the spore-producing hymenium is borne. Basidiocarps are characteristic of the hymenomycetes; rusts and smuts do no ...

(fruit bodies) and is

parasitic Parasitism is a close relationship between species, where one organism, the parasite, lives (at least some of the time) on or inside another organism, the host, causing it some harm, and is adapted structurally to this way of life. The ent ...

on other fungi, probably species of '' Hypoxylon'' on dead attached and recently fallen branches of broad-leaved trees. It has been recorded from Japan and China. ''Tremella flava'', described from Taiwan, may be a synonym.

Taxonomy

''Tremella iduensis'' was first published in 1939 by Japanese

mycologist Mycology is the branch of biology concerned with the study of fungi, including their taxonomy, genetics, biochemical properties, and use by humans. Fungi can be a source of tinder, food, traditional medicine, as well as entheogens, poison, and ...

Yosio Kobayasi.

Description

Fruit bodies are gelatinous, bright yellow, up to 2.5 cm (1 in) across, and branched, with cornute (horn-like) fronds. Microscopically, the

basidia A basidium (: basidia) is a microscopic spore-producing structure found on the hymenophore of reproductive bodies of basidiomycete fungi. The presence of basidia is one of the main characteristic features of the group. These bodies are also ...

are tremelloid (ellipsoid, with oblique to vertical septa), 4-celled, 17 to 18 by 12 to 13

μm The micrometre (Commonwealth English as used by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures; SI symbol: μm) or micrometer (American English), also commonly known by the non-SI term micron, is a unit of length in the International System ...

. The

basidiospores A basidiospore is a reproductive spore produced by basidiomycete fungi, a grouping that includes mushrooms, shelf fungi, rusts, and smuts. Basidiospores typically each contain one haploid nucleus that is the product of meiosis, and they are pr ...

are ovoid to ellipsoid, smooth, 8.5 to 9.5 by 7.5 to 8.5 μm.

Similar species

''Tremella flava'' was described from Taiwan as "resembling ''T. iduensis''" but differing in the size of its basidiospores (7 to 9 by 5 to 6.5 μm) and basidia. It has been suggested it may be a later synonym of ''T. iduensis''. Other yellow ''Tremella'' species are lobed or foliaceous and lack horn-like fronds.

Habitat and distribution

''Tremella iduensis'' is a parasite on lignicolous fungi, probably species of ''Hypoxylon''. It was originally described from ''

Castanopsis sieboldii ''Castanopsis sieboldii'', also known as the Itajii chinkapin or Itajii, is a species of evergreen tree that lives in subtropical eastern Asia. This is a climax species that is commonly found in the Japanese temperate rainforest. Specimens are al ...

'' and is found on dead, attached or recently fallen branches of broad-leaved trees. The species is currently known from Japan and China.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q18383438 iduensis Fungi described in 1939 Fungi of Asia Fungus species