Flora of New Zealand Series

≡Ulva tessellata Hook.f. & Harv., J. Bot. 4: 297 (1845) [as "U. tesellata"].

=Leptogiopsis complicatula Nyl., Flora 67: 211 (1884).

≡Turgidosculum complicatulum (Nyl.) J.Kohlm. & E.Kohlm., Marine Mycology. The higher fungi: 361 (1979).

=Mastodia macquariensis C.W.Dodge, Nova Hedwigia 19: 439 (1971)["1970"].

Description : Flora (1985: 589 – as Turgidosculum complicatulum). See also Kohlmeyer et al. (2004: 52).

N: Wellington (Wellington Harbour). S: Westland (Open Bay I.), Canterbury (Motunau I.), Otago (Motu Rata), Southland (Anita Bay, Milford Sound). St: Sn: A: C: On coastal rocks in intertidal zone or at high-tide level, often with Caloplaca cribrosa and C. sublobulata. An extensive discussion of this taxon is given in Øvstedal & Lewis Smith (2001: 337–378 – as Turgidosculum complicatulum). Known also from Alaska, British Columbia, Chile, Pacific Siberia, Tasmania, Macquarie I., Marion and Prince Edward Is, and South Shetland Is (Dodge 1948; Lamb 1948a; Brodo 1976; Kohlmeyer & Kohlmeyer 1979; Aptroot & Van der Knaap 1993; Sancho et al. 1999; Øvstedal & Gremmen 2001; Øvstedal & Lewis Smith 2001; McCarthy 2003c, 2006; Kohlmeyer et al. 2004; Søchting et al. 2004).

Circum-Pacific

Illustrations : Kohlmeyer & Kohlmeyer (1979: 363, fig. 77 – as Turgidosculum complicatulum); Øvstedal & Lewis Smith (2001: pl. 84; pl. 85 – as Turgidosculum complicatulum); Kohlmeyer et al. 2004: 52, fig. 1; 53, figs 2, 3).

Mastodia tessellata is characterised by: the saxicolous (coastal rocks) habit; the complexly folded thalli; photobiont Prasiola in tetrads or rows; immersed, subglobose ascocarps; 8-spored asci containing simple, colourless, elongate–ellipsoidal to cylindrical or fusiform ascospores, (8.5–)11–17.5(–18.5) × 3.5 μm; and immersed, subglobose pycnidia containing simple, colourless, subglobose or ellipsoidal conidia, 2 × 1 μm.