Epigloea Zukal
Type : Epigloea bactrospora Zukal
Description : Thallus inconspicuous, immersed in thin, gelatinous algal films overlying bryophytes, rocks or bark. Photobiont green, Coccomyxa- like. Ascomata perithecia, gelatinous, dark-green to black, superficial, the wall lacking photobiont cells, composed of unthickened, periclinal hyphae. Ostiole 15–50 μm diam. Hamathecium of paraphyses, thin, colourless, simple, apices not swollen. Asci 8- to multi-spored, clavate to cylindrical, moderately thick-walled, non-fissitunicate (bivalvular dehiscence), entire ascus wall I+ blue. Ascospores 1–5-septate, sometimes with an appendage at both ends, oval-ellipsoidal, colourless, thin-walled. Conidiomata pycnidia, globose, usually longer than wide, black, with a distinct ostiole. Conidia terminal, colourless, bacillar to narrowly or broadly ellipsoidal.
Epigloea is a genus of 11 described species (Kirk et al. 2001) of phycophilous fungi (Döbbeler 1984; David 1987; Aptroot 2003a; Ceynowa-Giełdon 2002, 2004, 2005) included in the family Epigloeaceae (David 1987; Eriksson et al. 2004; Pennycook & Galloway 2004; Eriksson 2005). Species grow immersed in gelatinous algal films over decaying bryophytes, rocks and soil in damp habitats, and can be considered as highly adapted algal parasites, with the fungus infecting the algal cells by means of haustoria. Taxa are known from Great Britain, Europe, Scandinavia, North America and subantarctic Marion I. (Döbbeler 1984; David 1987, 1992a; Nimis 1993; Santesson 1993, Sérusiaux et al. 1999; Buck & Harris 2002; Santesson et al. 2004). Species are very small and inconspicuous and easily overlooked, and may well be of much wider distribution than present records show. One species is recorded from Campbell I. (Fryday 2000c). The genus is undoubtedly more widespread in New Zealand and should be carefully looked for.
