Lecidella xanthoriae
Description : Lichenicolous, thallus not apparaent, a few brownish hyphae visible near base of perithecia, 4–5 μm thick, K−. Perithecia densely aggregated, immersed, visible only as small black dots (×10 lens), 200–250 × 175–200 μm. Wall brown, darker brown near ostiole, paler at base, 20–30 μm thick, pseudoparenchymatous. Hamathecium of periphyses, hyaline, 25–35 μm long and 2–4 μm thick. Asci cylindrical, thin-walled, 78–85 × 9–12 μm. Ascospores uniseriate in ascus, colourless, smooth-walled, broadly ellipsoidal, (10.5–)12–15(–16) × 8–9(–9.5) μm. Numerous oil droplets in all parts of perithecium.
S: Otago (Central Otago mountains). Known also from North America, Spain, and Austria (Triebel et al. 1991; Navarro- Rosinés et al. 1994; Llimona & Hladun 2001; Navarro-Rosinés & Etayo 2001; Hafellner & Navarro-Rosinés 2004).
Bipolar
Hosts : On Caloplaca (Navarro-Rosinés & Etayo 2001: 157). Elswhere, it is known from Caloplaca citrina (Navarro-Rosinés & Etayo 2001) and Xanthoria elegans where it forms small galls on thallus and apothecia.
* Lichenochora xanthoriae is characterised by: the lichenicolous habit; the formation of small galls on thallus and apothecia of X. elegans host; and the broadly ellipsoidal, non-verrucose ascospores, 10.5–16 × 8–9.5 μm.
