Coprotus sexdecimsporus
Anamorph: not known.
Teleomorph: ascomata apothecia, 500-1000 µm diam. [200-400 µm; Doveri et al. 2004], often strongly clustered, initially ± globose to cupulate and eventually becoming discoid, translucent to white, drying yellowish, the margin hardly distinguished, smooth, sessile. Peridium composed of angular to globose cells to 12 µm diam., with five or six layers of marginal cells that are slightly elongated and 10-12 X 5-6 µm in size. Interascal tissue composed of simple or branched filiform septate paraphyses ca 1.5 µm diam., inflated to 2-2.5 µm and strongly curved at the apices, with a variable number of oil guttules. Asci 85-140 x 20-30 µm, broadly clavate, tapering to a short bilobed stalk, rounded above with a broad operculum, 16-spored. Ascospores 11-16 x (7-) 8-10 µm, broadly ellipsoidal, sometimes slightly inaequilateral, smooth, hyaline to slightly yellowish, sometimes with one de Bary bubble, without a gelatinous sheath or perispore.
Not formally assessed, but judging from the number of records in FRDBI and FCT, the species is common and widespread, and conservation measures are not needed. It would thus be considered of Least Concern.
The only species of Coprotus from GB&I with 16-spored asci.
Found on dung of various mammals (almost all herbivores), including that of cow, dog, goat, hare, horse, rabbit, sheep and zebra.
In GB&I, reports are scattered throughout Great Britain from Devon and Hampshire to Shetland and the Outer Hebrides, but the species has apparently not been recorded from Wales or Ireland.