Stereocaulon and tiny yellow squamule

JennyS · #1 (**permalink**) 17-08-2009, 02:30 AM

The first was found in the Burren, which is a pretty unlikely place to come across a Stereocaulon, but I can't find any other genus it might be......The site was an interesting mixture of limestone pavement interspersed with more acidic boggy bits.

This one I can't begin to figure out - tiny, approx 1mm on earth among moss in a shady crevice in a wall.....
Wondered at one point if it might be an Arthrorhaphis but that doesn't seem likely, though there is an old record for Arthrorhaphis citrinella from that 10k square.

Help very appreciated!

AlanS · #2 (**permalink**) 20-08-2009, 02:10 AM

Hi Jenny,

I think your "Stereocaulon" is a very ill Cladonia.

It is being attacked by something.

The brown lumps towards the top of the podetia look quite like the basidiomata of Syzygospora bachmannii, which occurs in Ireland and is known to parasitise a number of different Cladonia species.

On the other hand, it should not be taking over the entire thallus as seems to be happening here, and also there are structures that look more like apothecia.

So my alternative suggestion is Diploschistes muscorum, at the stage where it is still taking over the Cladonia and hasn't yet formed its own thallus. I think this is what it is, though perhaps, just maybe, the Cladonia has Syzygospora as well??
I suggest it is doomed!

Your yellow thing is quite pretty.
I wonder what it is?

Alan

JennyS · #3 (**permalink**) 23-08-2009, 09:58 PM

Thank you Alan - shame about the pretty yellow one but I thought it was probably a no-hoper.
Had I left it in situ I could have kept checking its development, unfortunately all there is now is a miniscule shrivelled scrap beside me on the table ...... there could be a lesson to me!

I've got a specimen of the Cladonia with the possible Diploschistes muscorum so I'll check that one further as there are old records from the adjoining 10k square.

When I find the photo I've another Cladonia under possible attack, though of different appearance and on another species ...... off to hunt for relevant folder, new thread coming up shortly!