Rickia huggertii Balazuc

MB#113368

Fig. 70A–C

Bulletin du Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle. Sér. 4, miscellanea. Paris. 2(2): 214 (Balazuc 1980, as huggerti). –

Type: “Parasitus Homaliorum (Coleopt. Staphylinidae) in pluribus Europae regionibus. Typus in Galliae normanno litore lectus”; PC. [France]

Diagnostic features

Receptacle triseriate. Anterior series consisting of 3–4 cells, median series consisting of 9–10 cells, posterior series consisting of 9–10 cells. Only one (rarely two) antheridia on the upper cell of the anterior series (Fig. 70C, an). Perithecium as long as half of the total length of the thallus, almost surrounded by the median series of cells.

Distribution and hosts

Known from France (type), Italy, and Sweden (Balazuc 1980). Occurs on Omalium (= Homalium Ljungh, 1804) (Col. Staphylinidae Omalinae).

Collections examined from Denmark

On Omalium riparium Thomson, 1857 (Col. Staphylinidae Omalinae) DENMARK – Fyn (F) • Flyvesandet ved Agernaes; 55°37.294′ N, 10°18.251′ E; NG86; 19 Apr. 2018; JP 1044; JP det.; ZMUC C-F-123560 • Gyldenstens inddaemmede Strand; 55°34.447′ N, 10°7.211′ E; NG75; 2 Apr. 2014; JP 690; JP det.; ZMUC C-F-123178 • Knudshoved; 55°18.212′ N, 10°49.828′ E; PG13; 11 Nov. 2018; JP 1227; JP det.; ZMUC C-F-123754 . – Lolland, Falster, Møn (LFM) • Ulvshale; 55°2.305′ N, 12°17.042′ E; UB20; 2 May 2018; JP 1103; JP det.; ZMUC C-F-123621 . – Nordøstsjaelland (NEZ) • Liseleje; 56°1.048′ N, 11°58.454′ E; PH81; 7 Oct. 2018; JP 1202; JP det.; ZMUC C-F-123729. – Nordvestsjaelland (NWZ) • Bjerge Sydstrand; 55°33.493′ N, 11°9.730′ E; PG35; 1 May 2013; JP 302; JP det.; ZMUC C-F-122781 • Dybesø ved Rørvig; 55°58.117′ N, 11°45.004′ E; PH70; 17 May 2019; JP 1464; JP det.; ZMUC C-F-124044 • Stold Skydeterraen; 55°45.124′ N, 11°17.634′ E; PG48; 25 May 2014; JP 379; JP det.; ZMUC C-F-122862 .

Remarks

First record from Denmark. The presence of this species in Denmark is not surprising given its existence in neighbouring Sweden. The study of immature thalli allows to determine that the perithecium is formed from the median series of cells (Fig. 70C, *). This characteristic is believed to be unusual (see the genus description) although thallus development has been studied for very few species of Rickia . A photo of this species is given here for the first time.