Physarum synsporum S.L. Stephenson & Nann.

Treviño-Zevallos, Italo, García-Cunchillos, Iván, Basanta, Diana Wrigley De & Lado, Carlos, 2023, Diversity of Myxomycetes from Peru Part III: The high Andes and the altiplano, Phytotaxa 624 (1), pp. 1-92 : 74

151. * Physarum synsporum S.L. Stephenson & Nann. -Bremek., Proc. Kon. Ned. Akad. Wetensch. 93(2): 193 (1990)

Specimens examined. PERU. Ancash: Bolognesi, route PE-3N, km 45 trail to Yanashallash , 4164 m, 9º55′01”S, 77º04′20”W, 20 May 2014, herbs, Lado 23671 (MA-Fungi 95343), herb debris and Lupinus paniculata, Lado 23675b (MA-Fungi 95348). Huari, San Marcos, route AN-111 towards Antamina mine, km 22, Antonina lagoon, 4019 m, 9º30′22”S, 77º05′06”W, 13 May 2018, woody debris, Lado 26567b (MA-Fungi 97342) . Arequipa: Arequipa, Chiguata, route PE-34C, 31 km east of Chiguata , 4075 m, 16º23′18.1”S, 71º18′59.9”W, 10 Oct 2012, branch of Senecio sp. , Lado 22294 (MA-Fungi 94827), Lado 22303 (MA-Fungi 94834), Lado 22304 (MA-Fungi 94835) . Huancavelica: Angaraes, Julcamarca, route PE-26B, km 146, Julcamarca , 3492 m, 13º00′45”S, 74º26′18”W, 22 Apr 2017, branch, Lado 24984 (MA-Fungi 96180), twigs, Lado 24985 (MA-Fungi 96181) . Junin: Yauli, Morococha, Marmolejo lagoon, Ticlio mine, route PE-22, km 133, 4715 m, 11º35′51.5”S, 76º10′47.4”W, 23 Sep 2012, branch of Asteraceae, Lado 21758 (MA-Fungi 94524), grasses, Lado 21761b (MA-Fungi 94527). Paccha, La Oroya, route PE-3N, km 6, 6 km north of La Oroya , 3706 m, 11º29′29”S, 75º56′36”W, 1 May 2017, leaves of Cortaderia jubata, Lado 25694 (MAFungi 96851) . Moquegua: Mariscal Nieto, Torata, Pontón Cuellar , route PE-34D, km 69, 3815 m, 16º59′54.8”S, 70º41′54.7”W, 7 Oct 2012, twigs and leaf litter of Baccharis glutinosa, Lado 22166b (MA-Fungi 94709), Lado 22171e (MA-Fungi 94722) .

Notes. With iridescent peridium and spores aggregated in persistent clusters, 3–4 spores per cluster ( Fig. 4E ). Due to this last feature, this species may be confused with some Badhamia species, distinguishable by the distinctly physaroid capillitium. Physarum lakhanpalii Nann. -Bremek. & Y. Yamam. also possesses spores in clusters, but unlike in Ph. synsporum , the plasmodiocarpic forms predominate, and the sporothecas are yellowish.

Figures

FIGURE 4. A. Sporocarps of Physarum crateriforme (MA-Fungi 95849). B. Physarum dictyospermum (MA-Fungi 97733). C. Physarum rubiginosum (MA-Fungi 95762). D. Physarum squamosum (MA-Fungi 95240). E. Spores by SEM of Physarum synsporum (MA-Fungi 94524). F. Sporocarps of Polyschismium trevelyanii (MA-Fungi 96168). Scales A-D, F = 0.2 mm; E = 5 µm.