Harold W. Keller

Corticolous Myxomycetes V: Observations on the Genus Echinostelium

SUMMARYSystematic screening of bark samples from living trees and vines placed in moist chambers has resulted in the discovery of two new species of corticolous Myxomycetes, Echinostelium arboreum ...

Corticolous Myxomycetes VI: A New Species of Diderma

Corticolous Myxomycetes belong predominantly to only a few genera, for exalmple, Licca, Echinosteliiln, Macbrideola, and Badhanmia. Certain genera, such as Arcyria, Cribraria, Didermia, Didymizui, Heiiitrichia, Physaru,l, and Trichia, are well represented on terrestrial substrata (ground sites) or (lead parts of standing trees, both in frequency and numbers of species, but these same genera are represented by only two or three species on the bark of living trees. Members of the Physarales in general and Diderlma in particular often form extensive fruitings where a dense cover of mosses, liverworts, and lichens occurs on the bark surface. While there is undoubtedly a fair correlation between the total precipitation received during the growing season and the regional abundance of corticolous Myxomycetes, their abundance locally relates to factors affecting the proportion of time bark is supplied with adequate moisture. Our field observations indicate that there are local differences in the supply of moisture due to terrain and exposure to the elements. During periods of light precipitation only particular areas may become wetted,

A New Species of Badhamia with Smooth Spores

A smooth-spored species of Badhamia, formerly included in B. ovispora, is formally described and given the name B. semiannulata. Badhamia semiannulata is characterized by the presence of a columella, free spores that are ovoid with a partial ring along one side, and its apparent restriction to straw, decaying leaves, and dung of herbivorous animals. Badhamia semiannulata was grown on dung-extract agar from spore to spore and single-spore isolates yielding a phaneroplasmodium.

Corticolous Myxomycetes VIII: Trabrooksia, a New Genus

A new genus and species of corticolous Myxomycetes, Trabrooksia applanata, is characterized by its flattened plasmodiocarps and depressed sporangia, glossy to iridescent peridium, limeless fructifications, subparallel arrangement of the hyaline, mostly unbranched capillitial threads, and the dark color of the spores. It is tentatively placed in the Didymiaceae but with further study may require a separate family. An updated key to the genera of the Didymiaceae is provided to aid in the identification of this taxon.

CORTICOLOUS MYXOMYCETES IV: BADHAMIOPSIS, A NEW GENUS FOR BADHAMIA AINOAE

on the basis of a number of collections made from the bark surface of living trees. Yamashiros collecting was concentrated in southern Kyisyf, all of the specimens of B. ainoae coming from the village of Takarabe in Kagosima Prefecture which lies at the southern foot of Mt. Kirisima. This area is located in the subtropical zone of Japan. For many years this species was known only from the type locality until Brooks (1967) noted its occurrence in Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, and Tennessee, and Kowalski and Curtis (1968) reported it from California. More recently, Keller (1974) reported it as being quite common and abundant in Florida on the bark of living Juniperus silicicola (Small) Bailey. A total of 39 collections of B. ainoae from 10 states indicates that as a corticolous myxomycete it is widespread and quite abundant on living trees. Indeed, wherever red cedars are common and ample rainfall occurs during the months of July, August, and September, B. ainoae can be expected.