Lichenochora epifulgens
Anamorph: not known.
Teleomorph: ascomata perithecia, 200–280 x 200–250 μm, pyriform or subglobose, black, rather thick-walled, immersed in the host thallus with the ostiolar region protruding. Ascomatal wall 25–35 μm thick at the base, narrower near the ostiole, the exposed part darker, composed of 4-6 layers of angular flattened cells 8–13 x 4–6 μm in size. Interascal tissue of paraphyses 4–6 μm diam, becoming evanescent before the asci mature, and with simple periphyses ca 20 x 1,5–2 μm in size. Asci ca 90 x 13–19 μm, cylindric-clavate, (6-)8-spored. Ascospores (13–) 15–20 x 8–10 (–11) μm, hyaline, 1-septate, very rarely aseptate, cylindric-ellipsoidal, the ends rounded, slightly to strongly constricted at the septum, fairly thin-walled, smooth, without a gelatinous sheath or appendages.
Assessed by Woods & Coppins (2012) to be Endangered, with only a single population in VC45 Pembrokeshire known at that time and its host lichen also considered to be Endangered. That population has been monitored twice since its original discovery in 2009, confirming its survival. The area has statutory protection but is subject to significant disturbance from visitors and rabbit activity, and further conservation measures should be considered. Quite extensive populations have since been discovered in Cornwall (with around 30% of host thalli infected - Paul Gainey, pers. comm.), but its conservation assessment category would not be affected due to the continued vulnerability of the host lichen.
Lichenochora epidesertorum (described from thalli of Gyalolechia desertorum in NE Spain) is very similar but was considered to have relatively broader and more strongly constricted ascospores within asci that are not consistently 8-spored. The GB&I collections from Cornwall actually fit this species better, but with further research they may be found to be synonymous. As both species were published in the same paper, continued use of the name L. epifulgens would be possible in these circumstances.
Parasitic in thalli of Gyalolechia [formerly Fulgensia] fulgens. Apparently not causing direct damage to its host, although the thallus may appear degraded.
In GB&I, recorded from England (VC1 W Cornwall and VC2 E Cornwall) and Wales (VC45 Pembrokeshire). Previously reported from Spain (Navarra and Menorca).