Genus Dioicomyces Thaxt.

MB#1592

Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences 37: 33 (Thaxter 1901b). –

Type species: D. anthici Thaxt.

Brief description

Dioecious. Male thalli consisting of four superposed cells, the uppermost functioning as a single antheridium. Female thalli consisting of a three-celled receptacle (Fig. 66A), a perithecium and a single celled primary appendage. Perithecium with 4–5(–6) cells in each vertical row of outer wall cells. Trichogyne reflexed, two-celled, the distal cell bearing terminal slender branchlets or papillae.

Remarks

The genus consists of 23 species, of which nine in Europe, two in Denmark. The most recently described species are D. ladoi and D. leptalei (Santamaria 2002) . In this paper an extensive revision of the genus Dioicomyces, with numerous synonymies and typifications, is provided. For classification of species, male thalli are almost useless.

Key to the Danish species (partially following Santamaria 2002)

1. Female thalli bearing outgrowths on and near the perithecial tip. On Myrmechixenus Chevrolat, 1835 (Col. Tenebrionidae) ......................................................................... D. myrmecophilus T.Majewski

– Female thalli without outgrowths. On Col. Anthicidae ........................................... D. anthici Thaxt.