Dichomitopilus fusus
Ascomata 130-190 µm diam, ± spherical to ovoid, cinnamon brown, rhizoids well-developed. Peridium pale brown, composed of interwoven hyphal cells, the upper part covered in hairs. Ascomatal hairs dimorphic, one type seta-like and swollen at the base, and the other dark brown thick-walled dichotomously branched hairs 5-6 µm diam which may be encrusted with yellow-green crystals. Interascal tissue none, at least at maturity. Asci 26-35 x 8-11 µm, clavate, long-stalked, evanescent at an early stage, 8-spored. Ascospores 9-12 x 2.5-3 µm, narrowly fusiform-cylindric, not flattened laterally, straight or slightly inaequilateral, pale grey-brown when mature, without visible germ pores.
Colonies rapidly growing, aerial mycelium usually sparse, often with red or orange exudates.
C. fusum is a distinctive and apparently rare species. C. angustisporum was described as a separate species due to its narrower hairs, the absence of yellow-green encrustment of its hairs, and its darker ascospores. However, von Arx examined cultures of both species and the encrustation was apparently not observed, so his synonymy is tentatively followed here. The material on which the Scottish record is based cannot be located, so the presence of this species in GBI needs confirmation.
In GB&I, isolated from dung of an unspecified animal.
Scotland: Lanarkshire. Rarely isolated; apparently known only elsewhere from three isolates, from Jamaica, Costa Rica and Japan.