Tremolecia


Tremolecia is a small genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Hymeneliaceae.

Taxonomy

The genus was circumscribed by the French lichenologist Maurice Choisy in 1953.

Description

Tremolecia species are crustose lichens, appearing as a thin crust-like growth on its without a protective outer layer. The —the photosynthetic partner in this symbiotic relationship—is a single-celled green alga with nearly spherical to completely spherical cells measuring 7–14 by 6–13 micrometres.
The reproductive structures are cup-shaped fruiting bodies called apothecia. These apothecia are of the type, meaning they have their own distinct margin, and can be either sunken into the lichen surface with a crater-like appearance or sitting on top of the surface. The —the tissue forming the rim of the apothecium—appears dark brown and opaque when viewed in cross-section.
Inside the reproductive structures, the paraphyses are sparsely branched and occasionally fused, with tips that are not swollen. The asci—specialized cells that produce spores—are club-shaped and contain eight spores each. They belong to the Tremolecia-type, characterized by a well-developed that stains very weakly with iodine, has a thin outer cap that does stain with iodine, and lacks a central chamber.
The are, clear, ellipsoid in shape, lack a gelatinous coating, and have thin walls. The asexual reproductive structures are flask-shaped pycnidia embedded within the lichen body. The asexual spores are rod-shaped.
The genus does not produce any secondary metabolites detectable by standard lichen spot tests.

Species

, Species Fungorum, accept two species of Tremolecia:Tremolecia atrata Tremolecia dicksonii
Another four species transferred into the genus by Hannes Hertel in 1977 are not currently accepted by Species Fungorum.
Some species that were at one time placed in this genus have since been transferred to other genera: