Myxarium nucleatum

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Myxarium nucleatum
Crystal Brain Fungus (Exidia nucleata) - geograph.org.uk - 1000447.jpg
Myxarium nucleatum, Scotland
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Basidiomycota
Class: Agaricomycetes
Order: Auriculariales
Family: Hyaloriaceae
Genus: Myxarium
Species:
M. nucleatum
Binomial name
Myxarium nucleatum
Wallr. (1833)
Synonyms

Tremella nucleata Schwein. (1822) [1] [2]
Naematelia nucleata(Schwein.) Fr. (1822)
Exidia nucleata(Schwein.) Burt (1921)
Tremella gemmata Lév. (1842) [1] [3]
Naematelia gemmata(Lév.) Fr. (1874)
Exidia gemmata(Lév.) Bourdot & Maire (1920)
Naematelia atrata Peck (1872) [1]
Myxarium atratum(Peck) Ginns & M.N.L. Lefebvre (1993)
Exidia alboglobosa Lloyd (1925) [3]
Exidia tremelloidesL.S. Olive (1951) [2]
Myxarium tremelloides(L.S. Olive) Wojewoda (1981)

Contents

Myxarium nucleatum is a species of fungus in the family Hyaloriaceae. In the UK, it has been given the recommended English name of crystal brain. [4] The fruit bodies are watery white, pustular or lobed, and gelatinous with small, white, mineral inclusions visible to the naked eye. It is a common, wood-rotting species in Europe, typically growing on dead attached or fallen branches of broadleaf trees. It is currently not clear whether collections from North America (where it is called granular jelly roll) [5] and elsewhere represent the same species. [6]

Taxonomy

History

The species was originally described by Karl Friedrich Wilhelm Wallroth in 1833, who found it growing on hawthorn in Germany. He placed it in his new genus Myxarium based on its visible white inclusions which he interpreted as spores. [7] Wallroth noted its similarity to Tremella nucleata, but nonetheless described Myxarium nucleatum as a new and separate species, using the same epithet. [1]

Lewis David von Schweinitz had previously described Tremella nucleata from the United States, a species that was later transferred to the genus Exidia by Burt. Many subsequent publications, summarized by Donk (1966) and Reid (1970), discussed whether the European Myxarium nucleatum is conspecific with the American Exidia nucleata. [1] [3] The consensus, based on morphological similarity, was that they are the same. [2]

Current status

Molecular research, based on cladistic analysis of DNA sequences, has indicated that M. nucleatum belongs in a clade separate from Exidia. [8] Furthermore, at least three similar species of Myxarium occur in northern Europe, with a single American collection appearing distinct. [6]

Description

Myxarium nucleatum forms scattered, pustular, gelatinous fruit bodies 2 to 20 millimetres (1⁄8 to 3⁄4 inch) in diameter. [9] These often coalesce, forming compound fruit bodies that may be irregularly cerebriform (brain-like) and up to 6 centimetres (2+1⁄4 in) across. Fruit bodies are hyaline (colourless) to whitish, occasionally with yellowish tints. Opaque, white, spherical, mineral inclusions are visible with the naked eye and are made of calcium oxalate. The spore-bearing surface (hymenium) is smooth. With age, the fruit bodies may become brownish and eventually dry to a thin, varnish-like film. The spore print is white. [6]

Microscopic characters

The basidia are ellipsoid, longitudinally septate, and measure 10.5–13 × 8–10.5  μm, with a stalk cell up to 30 μm long that becomes enucleate on maturity. The spores are allantoid (sausage-shaped), measuring 8–14 × 3.5–5.5 μm. Hyphae are produced in a gelatinous matrix and are clamped, hyaline, and 1 to 3.5 μm wide. [6]

Similar species

Exidia thuretiana is a lookalike species. 2009-01-10 Exidia thuretiana 2 cropped.jpg
Exidia thuretiana is a lookalike species.

In Europe, Myxarium hyalinum (formerly considered synonymous with M. nucleatum) is very similar. Its fruit bodies tend to be more ochraceous or brownish with mineral inclusions less evident, except in older, coalesced specimens. Microscopically, it has slightly larger basidiospores, 9–16.5 x 4–6 μm. [6] M. populinum is known from poplar and willow in northern Europe, and lacks mineral inclusions visible with the naked eye. [6] M. cinnamomescens is another, similar northern species, also lacking mineral inclusions. [6]

Fruit bodies of Exidia thuretiana are similarly coloured, but are typically more opaque and often appear pleated. They do not (or very rarely) contain white, granular inclusions. Microscopically, E. thuretiana can easily be distinguished by its sessile (not stalked) basidia. Fruit bodies of several gelatinous Tremella species may also appear similar, but never contain granular inclusions. All can be distinguished microscopically by their non-allantoid spores. [3]

Ductifera pululahuana, Exidia repanda , E. saccharina , and Naematelia encephala are also similar. [9]

Distribution and habitat

Myxarium nucleatum typically fruits in autumn and winter. In its current, wide sense it is distributed in Europe, North, Central and South America, [10] and New Zealand. [11]

The species is often found in association with old pyrenomycetes, but is presumed to be a wood-rotting species, typically found on dead attached or fallen branches. It was originally recorded on hawthorn, but is also known from many other broadleaf trees and shrubs, including beech, ash, sycamore, and ivy. [3]

Ecology

In Europe, the fruit bodies can serve as host to the parasite Zygogloea gemellipara . This fungus has "auricularioid" basidia (more or less cylindrical basidia with lateral septa) and forms thin thread-like hyphae in the hymenium of its host. The hyphae of the parasite attach to the host hyphae through twisting, tendril-like haustorial cells. [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Auriculariales</span> Order of fungi

The Auriculariales are an order of fungi in the class Agaricomycetes. Species within the order were formerly referred to the "heterobasidiomycetes" or "jelly fungi", since many have gelatinous basidiocarps that produce spores on septate basidia. Around 200 species are known worldwide, placed in six or more families, though the status of these families is currently uncertain. All species in the Auriculariales are believed to be saprotrophic, most growing on dead wood. Fruit bodies of several Auricularia species are cultivated for food on a commercial scale, especially in China.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Auriculariaceae</span> Family of fungi

The Auriculariaceae are a family of fungi in the order Auriculariales. Species within the family were formerly referred to the "heterobasidiomycetes" or "jelly fungi", since many have gelatinous basidiocarps that produce spores on septate basidia. Around 100 species are known worldwide. All are believed to be saprotrophic, most growing on dead wood. Fruit bodies of several Auricularia species are cultivated for food on a commercial scale, especially in China.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hyaloriaceae</span> Family of fungi

The Hyaloriaceae are a family of fungi in the order Auriculariales. Species within the family have gelatinous basidiocarps that produce spores on septate basidia and, as such, were formerly referred to the "heterobasidiomycetes" or "jelly fungi". All appear to be saprotrophic, growing on dead wood or plant remains. Less than 30 species are currently included within the Hyaloriaceae, but the family has not been extensively researched.

<i>Exidia</i> Genus of fungi

Exidia is a genus of fungi in the family Auriculariaceae. The species are saprotrophic, occurring in attached or recently fallen dead wood, and produce gelatinous basidiocarps. The fruit bodies are diverse, pustular, lobed, button-shaped or cup-shaped. Several species, including the type species Exidia glandulosa, have sterile pegs or pimples on their spore-bearing surface. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution and around 20 species are currently recognized worldwide. Initial molecular research indicates the genus is artificial.

<i>Exidia glandulosa</i> Species of fungus

Exidia glandulosa, commonly known as black witches' butter, black jelly roll, or warty jelly fungus, is a jelly fungus in the family Auriculariaceae. It is a common, wood-rotting species in Europe, typically growing on dead attached branches of oak. The fruit bodies are up to 3 cm (1.2 in) wide, shiny, black and blister-like, and grow singly or in clusters. Its occurrence elsewhere is uncertain because of confusion with the related species, Exidia nigricans.

<i>Exidia nigricans</i> Species of fungus

Exidia nigricans is a jelly fungus in the family Auriculariaceae. It is a common, wood-rotting species throughout the Northern Hemisphere, typically growing on dead attached branches of broadleaf trees. It has been much confused with Exidia glandulosa.

<i>Exidia recisa</i> Species of fungus

Exidia recisa is a species of fungus in the family Auriculariaceae. In the UK, it has the recommended English name of amber jelly. Basidiocarps are gelatinous, orange-brown, and turbinate (top-shaped). It typically grows on dead attached twigs and branches of willow and is found in Europe and possibly elsewhere, though it has long been confused with the North American Exidia crenata.

<i>Exidia thuretiana</i> Species of fungus

Exidia thuretiana is a jelly fungus in the family Auriculariaceae. The fruit bodies are white and gelatinous with brain-like folds. It is a common, wood-rotting species in Europe, typically growing on dead attached or fallen branches of broadleaf trees, especially beech.

<i>Phaeotremella frondosa</i> Species of fungus

Phaeotremella frondosa is a species of fungus in the family Phaeotremellaceae producing brownish, frondose, gelatinous basidiocarps. It is widespread in north temperate regions, and is parasitic on other species of fungi that grow on dead attached and recently fallen branches of broadleaf trees.

<i>Naematelia aurantia</i> Species of yellow, parasitic fungus

Naematelia aurantia is a species of fungus producing yellow, frondose, gelatinous basidiocarps. It is widespread in north temperate regions and is parasitic on another species of fungus that grows on dead attached and recently fallen branches of broadleaf trees. It is commonly called golden ear in North America.

<i>Auricularia americana</i> Species of fungus

Auricularia americana is a species of fungus in the family Auriculariaceae found in North America and East Asia. Its basidiocarps (fruitbodies) are gelatinous, ear-like, and grow on dead conifer wood.

<i>Myxarium</i> Genus of fungi

Myxarium is a genus of fungi in the family Hyaloriaceae. Basidiocarps are gelatinous and effused or pustular. The genus is cosmopolitan. All species grow on dead wood or dead herbaceous stems.

<i>Cystobasidium fimetarium</i> Species of fungus

Cystobasidium fimetarium is a species of fungus in the order Cystobasidiales. It is a fungal parasite forming small gelatinous basidiocarps on various ascomycetous fungi on dung. Microscopically, it has auricularioid basidia producing basidiospores that germinate by budding off yeast cells. The species is known from Europe and North America.

<i>Phaeotremella mycophaga</i> Species of fungus

Phaeotremella mycophaga is a species of fungus in the family Phaeotremellaceae. It produces small, pustular, gelatinous basidiocarps on the hymenium of the corticioid fungi Aleurodiscus amorphus and A. grantii on conifers.

Tremella versicolor is a species of fungus in the family Tremellaceae. It produces small, pustular, gelatinous basidiocarps and is parasitic on the basidiocarps of Peniophora species, a genus of corticioid fungi, on dead attached or recently fallen branches. It was originally described from England.

Tremella exigua is a species of fungus in the family Tremellaceae. It produces small, dark, pustular, gelatinous basidiocarps and is parasitic on pyrenomycetous fungi on dead branches of trees and shrubs. It was originally described from France.

<i>Exidia repanda</i> Species of fungus

Exidia repanda is a species of fungus in the family Auriculariaceae. In the UK, it has the recommended English name of birch jelly. Basidiocarps are gelatinous, orange-brown, and button-shaped. It typically grows on dead attached twigs and branches of birch and has been recorded from Europe, North America, and Japan.

<i>Exidia candida</i> Species of fungus

Exidia candida is a species of fungus in the family Auriculariaceae. Basidiocarps are gelatinous, whitish, and cushioned-shaped at first, becoming effused and corrugated.

Exidia purpureocinerea is a species of fungus in the family Auriculariaceae. Basidiocarps are gelatinous, densely covered in small spines, purple-grey, and cushioned-shaped at first, becoming effused. The species occurs in southern Africa on dead wood.

<i>Exidia pithya</i> Species of fungus

Exidia pithya is a species of fungus in the family Auriculariaceae. Basidiocarps are gelatinous, black, and button-shaped at first, later coalescing and drying to form tar-like patches. The species grows on dead branches of conifers in continental Europe.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Donk MA. (1966). "Check list of European hymenomycetous heterobasidiae". Persoonia. 4: 145–335.
  2. 1 2 3 Roberts P. (1998). "A revision of the genera Heterochaetella, Myxarium, Protodontia, and Stypella". Mycotaxon. 69: 209–248. Archived from the original on 2016-02-03. Retrieved 2011-07-30.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Reid DA. (1970). "New or interesting records of British hymenomycetes. IV". Transactions of the British Mycological Society. 55 (3): 413–441. doi:10.1016/s0007-1536(70)80062-6. Archived from the original on 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2011-07-30.
  4. ↑ Holden L. "English names for fungi 2022". British Mycological Society . Retrieved 2022-06-02.
  5. ↑ Lincoff GH. (1981). National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mushrooms. New York, NY: AA Knopf. p. 400. ISBN   0-394-51992-2.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Spirin V, Malysheva V, Larsson KH. (2019). "On some forgotten species of Exidia and Myxarium (Auriculariales, Basidiomycota)". Nordic Journal of Botany. 36 (3). doi:10.1111/njb.01601. hdl: 10138/326188 .{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ↑ Wallroth KFW. (1833). Flora cryptogamica Germaniae. Vol II. Nuremberg. p. 923. (description on page 260)
  8. ↑ Weiss M, Oberwinkler F. (2001). "Phylogenetic relationships in Auriculariales and related groups – hypotheses derived from nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences". Mycological Research. 105 (4): 403–415. doi:10.1017/S095375620100363X.
  9. 1 2 Audubon (2023). Mushrooms of North America. Knopf. p. 107. ISBN   978-0-593-31998-7.
  10. ↑ Lowy B. (1971). Flora neotropica. Monograph no. 6. Tremelalles. Hafner Publishing Company Inc.
  11. ↑ "Myxarium nucleatum (Schwein.) Wallr. 1833". NZFUNGI - New Zealand Fungi (and Bacteria). Landcare Research. Archived from the original on 2022-06-03. Retrieved 2022-06-03.
  12. ↑ "Zygogloea gemellipara: an auricularioid parasite of Myxarium nucleatum". Mycotaxon. 52 (1): 241–246. 1994. Archived from the original on 2022-06-03. Retrieved 2011-08-03.
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