Zwackhiomyces Martinatianus

''Zwackhiomyces'' is a genus of lichenicolous (lichen-dwelling) fungi in the family Xanthopyreniaceae.

Taxonomy

The genus was circumscribed by Martin Grube and Josef Hafellner in 1990, with '' Zwackhiomyces coepulonus'' assigned as the type species. The name ''Zwackhiomyces'' honours the German mycologist Philipp Franz Wilhelm von Zwackh-Holzhausen (1826–1903).

''Zwackhiomyces'' was established to accommodate several lichenicolous fungi previously classified within the collective genus ''Didymella''. The establishment of this new genus was based on several distinguishing morphological characteristics, particularly the structure of the , asci, and , which set it apart from ''Didymella'' and related genera. The genus was placed in the family Arthopyreniaceae within the Dothideales.
When first described, the genus included nine species, all of which are parasitic or parasymbiotic on lichens containing green algae as . Three species were described as new: '' Z. euplocinus'', '' Z. inconspicuus'', and '' Z. sphinctriniformis''. The remaining species were new combinations transferred from other genera:

*'' Z. berengerianus'' (from '' Arthopyrenia'')
*'' Z. coepulonus'' (from ''Arthopyrenia'')
*'' Z. dispersus'' (from ''Arthopyrenia'')
*'' Z. immersae'' (from '' Endococcus'')
*'' Z. martinatianus'' (from ''Arthopyrenia'')
*'' Z. sphinctrinoides'' (from ''Endococcus'')

The genus is distinguished from the related genus ''Didymellopsis'' by differences in wall texture, structure, spore wall construction, and host selection. While morphologically similar to some other lichenicolous genera like ''Arthopyrenia'', '' Stigmidium'', and '' Cercidospora'', ''Zwackhiomyces'' exhibits unique combinations of characters in its ascomatal structure and development.

Description

''Zwackhiomyces'' is a genus of fungi that grows parasitically or parasymbiotically (living in close association, sometimes harmfully) on lichens, particularly those containing green algae as their photosynthetic partner. The fungus produces several distinctive microscopic structures that define the genus. The fungus forms small, dark reproductive structures called , which range from 75 to 250 micrometres (μm) in diameter. These structures are typically pear-shaped to spherical and may be either partially or completely embedded in the host lichen's tissue. The outer surface appears black and may be either matte or slightly glossy. The wall () of the fruiting body is brown in colour and distinctively constructed, with pigments concentrated primarily in the spaces between cells (intracellular spaces). At the fruiting body's apex, these pigments form characteristic fine . The wall cells themselves are rounded and may compress against each other, creating a distinctive texture.

Inside the fruiting bodies, the fungus produces spore-bearing sacs called asci, which are cylindrical in shape and relatively rigid in structure. Each ascus typically contains 4, 6, or 8 spores and is equipped with a special opening mechanism () that helps release the spores. The asci are surrounded by thread-like sterile filaments called . These filaments are branched and interconnected, embedded in a gel-like matrix, and relatively stiff in texture. They measure about 6–10 μm long and 1–2 μm wide. The spores () are colourless (hyaline) and divided into two cells by a cross-wall (septum). They often show a fine warty surface texture and are usually asymmetrical, with the upper cell being larger and more rounded than the lower cell. The spores typically measure 11–27 μm in length.

When treated with certain laboratory stains, the fungal structures show characteristic reactions. The spore-bearing tissue turns reddish-brown with iodine, while the fungal threads (hyphae) and spore sacs often turn reddish-violet when treated with methylene blue. The warty spore surfaces may turn blue when treated with lactophenol blue stain.

Species

As accepted by Species Fungorum;
*'' Zwackhiomyces aspiciliae'' – Turkey
*'' Zwackhiomyces berengerianus''
*'' Zwackhiomyces calcariae''
*'' Zwackhiomyces calcisedus''
*'' Zwackhiomyces cervinae''
*'' Zwackhiomyces coepulonus''
*'' Zwackhiomyces diederichii''
*'' Zwackhiomyces dispersus''
*'' Zwackhiomyces echinulatus''
*'' Zwackhiomyces heppiae''
*'' Zwackhiomyces immersae''
*'' Zwackhiomyces lacustris''
*''Zwackhiomyces lecanorae''
*'' Zwackhiomyces lecideae''
*'' Zwackhiomyces lithoiceae''
*'' Zwackhiomyces melanohaleae''
*'' Zwackhiomyces namibiensis''
*'' Zwackhiomyces parmotrematis'' – Suriname
*'' Zwackhiomyces peltigerae''
*'' Zwackhiomyces polischukii''
*'' Zwackhiomyces rolfii''
*'' Zwackhiomyces sipmanii''
*'' Zwackhiomyces socialis''
*'' Zwackhiomyces solenopsorae''
*'' Zwackhiomyces sphinctrinoides''
*'' Zwackhiomyces sulcatus''
*'' Zwackhiomyces turcicus''

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q127204

Xanthopyreniaceae
Taxa named by Josef Hafellner
Lichenicolous fungi
Taxa described in 1990