Something on Phlyctis argena - what is it?

[lettuce]

Hello!

I thought these where the apothecia of Phlyctis argena, but after placing a section under the microscope there were no typical apothecial structures (no asci, paraphyses or ascospores). Instead, it looked like a bunch of blackish spore-like structures, very tightly packed and glued together. Even after squashing under KOH, I was able to separate just a few from the bunch. On average, these 'spores' were 5um in diameter. I hope the photos can help (just wish I had a better camera).

Anyway, I think this might be some sort of a parasitic fungus on Phlyctis argena, even though I can't even figure out what this 'apothecioid' structure is.

Thanks for taking a look!


Dragan