Licea alpina A. Sánchez, G. Moreno, & D. W. Mitch.

Basanta, Diana Wrigley De, Mier, Carlos De & Lado, Carlos, 2023, A taxonomic revision of the species of Licea subg. Licea (Myxomycetes), Phytotaxa 629 (2), pp. 95-128 : 97

1. Licea alpina A. Sánchez, G. Moreno, & D. W. Mitch. , in Moreno, Sánchez & Mitchell, Bol. Soc. Micol. Madrid 34: 156 (2010) Figs. 1A–F

Sporophores sporocarpic, dispersed or in groups. Sporocarps stalked, sometimes sub-sessile, 0.25–0.8 mm in total height. Hypothallus inconspicuous. Stalk thick and black (0.1–0.3 mm long, 0.05–0.1 mm wide). Sporotheca 0.15– 0.4(–0.5) mm diam., dark brown to black, shining, with distinct pale lines of dehiscence that form a cross at the apex. Peridium double, outer layer of refuse material and the inner layer membranous, closely adhering together; dehiscence by fragmenting into polygonal plates leaving a basal calyculus at the union with the stalk. Spores free, dark brown in mass, olivaceous to olive brown by TL, with a thinner area by TL, subglobose, (14–)15–17 µm diam., smooth. By SEM the inner peridium is densely warted, the platelet margins are warted and paler with fewer inclusions; the epispore is verrucate with small dense warts and larger warts.

Material examined: Holotypus. SPAIN. Madrid, Puerto de Navacerrada, UTM 30T-04164516, 2075 m, on stems of Cytisus oromediterraneus, 26-V-2001, AH 28531! .

Habitat: nivicolous areas, on stems of shrubs.

Distribution: Known only from type locality (Spain).

Icon.: Moreno et al. (2010: 157, Figs. 1–16 ).

Notes. The reason to include this normally stipitate species is that it dehisces into platelets, and sub-sessile sporocarps may be confused with sessile species. In addition it was not included in our study of the stalked Licea species (Wrigley de Basanta & Lado 2005). The edges of the platelets in this species have many small warts and less refuse material on the outer surface. The pale dehiscence lines were not as obvious in some sporocarps. Because of its habitat, with its host plant covered in winter and spring by snow, this is a nivicolous species and in fact it looks like a really minute Lamproderma under the stereoscope. The nivicolous habitat, clear silvery dehiscence lines and large spores easily distinguish this species. All these are different from its nearest stipitate species L. pedicellata (H. C. Gilbert) H. C. Gilbert. It is clearly distinguished from L. eremophila D. Wrigley, Lado & Estrada by the larger globose vs. angular spores. The excellent SEM images in the original publication ( Moreno et al. 2010) obviated the need to repeat them.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Licea alpina. A–F (AH 28531, Holotype).A. Herbarium boxes and slides. B–D. Stalked and subsessile sporocarps. E. Spores and peridial platelets by TL. F. Spores by TL. Scale bars: B–D = 0.1 mm, E–F = 10 µm.

FIGURE 2. Licea ampulliformis. A–H, K–M (dwb 1988, MA-Fungi 98835, Holotype), I–J (dwb 2535).A. Herbarium box. B–D. Sessile sporocarps. E. Spores and peridial platelets by TL showing clear margins to the platelets (arrows). F–H. Spores by TL. I. detail of platelet margin showing clear area by SEM (arrow). J. Inner surface of a platelet showing warted surface. K–L Detail of open sporocarp showing platelets and spore by SEM. M. Spores by SEM. Scale bars: B–D = 0.1 mm, E = 20 µm, F–H, L = 10 µm, I–J, M = 5 µm, K = 50 µm.

FIGURE 3. Licea aurea. A–G. (dwb 3815, MA-Fungi 91750, Holotype), H–J. (dwb 3533). A. Herbarium box. B–D. Sporocarps. E. Whole sporocarp and spores by TL. F. Fragment of the inner surface of the peridium and spores. G. Spores by TL with thick walls and thinner germination area. H. Whole open sporocarp showing spores by SEM. I. Group of spores by SEM. J. Spore by SEM. Scale bars: B–D = 0.1 mm, E–G, I = 10 µm, H = 50 µm, J = 5 µm.

FIGURE 4. Licea belmontiana. A–J (NENB-5879, BR-MYC 5020057898868, Holotype). A. Herbarium box. B–C. Sessile sporocarps. D. Peridial platelets by TL. E. Spores by TL. F. Dehisced sporocarp by SEM. G–H. Peridial platelets by SEM showing margins without outgrowths (arrows). I–J. Warted spores by SEM. Scale bars: B–C = 0.1 mm, D–G = 10 µm, H–J = 5 µm.

FIGURE 5. Licea capacia. A–I (12486.Oltra, AH 42711, Holotype).A. Herbarium box. B–D. Sessile sporocarps. E. Peridial platelets by TL. F. Angular spores by TL. G. Peridial platelet margins by SEM showing double peridium (arrow) and no outgrowths. H–I. Spores by SEM. Scale bars: B–D = 0.1 mm, E–F = 10 µm, G–I = 5 µm.

FIGURE 6. Licea castanea. A (BM 3025, BM001089212, Lectotype); B–G (MA-Fungi 16013); H, J (MA-Fungi 29564); I (MA-Fungi 15932); K–S (Holotype of L. bryocorticola, HK 201113-07a, M-0313079). A. Herbarium box. B–D. Sessile sporocarps. E. Spores and peridial platelets by TL showing outgrowths on the edges. F–G. Spores by TL. H. Spore by SEM. I. Peridial platelets by SEM, showing outgrowths along the margins. J. Spore by SEM. K. Herbarium specimen. L–N sessile sporocarps. O–Q. Peridial platelets by TL showing outgrowths on the edges. R–S. Spores by TL. Scale bars: B–D, L–N = 0.1 mm, E–G, P–S = 10 µm, H–J = 5 µm, O = 20 µm.

FIGURE 7. Licea castaneoides. A–I (NENB 16135, ex Y.Y. 6407, BR5020070191601, Holotype). A. Herbarium box. B–C. Sessile sporocarps. D. Peridial platelet and spores by TL. E. Spores by TL. F. Dehisced sporocarp by SEM. G. Platelet by SEM showing double peridium with no outgrowths on the edge. H–I. Spores by SEM. Scale bars: B–C = 0.1 mm, D–F = 10 µm, G–I = 5 µm.

FIGURE 8. Licea chelonoides. A–J (NENB 5620, BR5020057361348, Isotype). A–B. Herbarium box. C–D. Sessile sporocarps. E. Peridial platelet and spores by TL. F. Spores by TL. G. Dehisced sporocarp base by SEM. H. Platelet outer surface by SEM. Whole platelet showing well-defined edges. I. Edge of a platelet by SEM showing double peridium and no outgrowths on the edge. J. Spore by SEM. Scale bars: C–D = 0.1 mm, E–F, H = 10 µm, G = 50 µm, I–J = 5 µm.

FIGURE 9. Licea eremophila. A–C, F–J, L (dwb 2826, MA-Fungi 79158, Holotype); D–E, K (dwb 3002). A. Herbarium box. B–C. Stipitate sporocarps. D. Sporocarps. F. Whole sporocarp and spores by TL. G. Platelets by TL with lighter edges (arrow). H–I. Polygonal spores by TL. J. Platelets by SEM showing well-defined margins. K. Spore by SEM. L. Spore by SEM. Scale bars: B–E = 0.1 mm, F = 20 µm, G–J = 10 µm, K–L = 5 µm.

FIGURE 10. Licea lignicola. A–I (HK 200820-27a, M-0313080, Holotype). A. Herbarium specimen. B–C. Open sessile sporocarps. D. Peridial platelet by TL. E. Spores by TL. F. Dehisced sporocarp by SEM. G. Platelet margin by SEM showing lines of concentrated warts. H. Group of spores by SEM. I. Spore by SEM. Scale bars: B–C = 0.1 mm, D–E = 10 µm, F = 50 µm, G–H = 10 µm, I = 5 µm.

FIGURE 11. Licea mariae. A–H (MYX 11149, Holotype).A. Herbarium fragment. B–C. Sessile sporocarps. D. Peridial platelets by TL. E–F. Peridial platelets with row of conical outgrowths (arrows). G–H. Spores by TL. Scale bars: B–C = 0.1 mm, D–H = 10 µm.

FIGURE 12. Licea mínima.A–B, E. G, I–K (MA-Fungi 23775, Neotype); C–D, F, H (MA-Fungi 17214).A. Herbarium box. B–D. Sessile sporocarps. E–F. Peridial platelets by TL. G–H. Spores by TL. I–J. Detail of inner peridium surface and platelet edges by SEM. K. Spore by SEM. Scale bars: B–D = 0.1 mm, E, I = 20 µm, F–H, J = 10 µm, K = 5 µm.

FIGURE 13. Licea morchelloides. A–D (NENB 13887, BR5020071552630, Isotype). A. Slide. B–D. platelets and spores by TL. Scale bars: B–D = 10 µm.

FIGURE 14. Licea nannengae. A–I (246 Pando, MA-Fungi 16056, Holotype). A. Herbarium box with holotype indicated with arrow. B–C. Sessile sporocarps. D–E. Peridial platelets by TL. F. spore by TL. G. Dehisced sporocarp by SEM. H. Detail of inner peridium surface at platelet edges by SEM. I. Spore by SEM. Scale bars: B–C = 0.1 mm, D–F, H = 10 µm, G = 50 µm, I = 5 µm.

FIGURE 15. Licea nigromarginata.A–D (NENB 13886, BR5020071551626, Isotype).A.Isotype slide.B–D. Spores and peridial platelets by TL. Scale bars: B–C = 50 µm, D = 10 µm.

FIGURE 16. Licea pusilla. A–C. Original illustration of the Lectotype. D–P (MA-Fungi 20548, Epitype). D–G. Dehiscing sessile sporocarps. H–I peridial platelet showing ornamented margins by TL. J–K. Spores by TL. L. dehisced sporocarp by SEM. M. Peridial platelet by SEM. O. Detail of peridial ornamentation by SEM. N, P. Spores by SEM. Scale bars: D–G = 0.1 mm, H = 20 µm, I–K, O = 10 µm, L–M = 50 µm, N, P = 5 µm.