Neolecta
Neolecta are characterized by clavate, rather large, yellow ascomata typified by Neolecta flavovirescens. They differ most significantly from the other discomycetes in lacking paraphyses and croziers and having a truncate ascus apex, and a faint iodine reaction of the whole ascus wall (Landvik et al. 1993, 2003). They are saprobic in soil or plant pathogens. Some have an unusual ecology growing attached to rootlets of conifers and are possibly a parasite on its host (Redhead 1979). They produce conidia by budding and also a yeast state (e.g. Neolecta vitellina) (Redhead 1977).
Morphology of Neolecta. a,b. Neolecta sp on soil c. Asci d. Ascus apex e. Ascospores
References:
Redhead SA. 1977. The genus Neolecta (Neolectaceae fam. nov., Lecanorales, Ascomycetes) in Canada. Can J Bot 55:301–306
Redhead SA. 1979. Mycological observations: 1, on Cristulariella; 2, on Valdensenia; 3, on Neolecta. Mycologia 71:1248–1253
Landvik S, Eriksson OE, Gargas A, Gustafsson P. 1993. Relationship of the genus Neolecta (Neolectales ordo nov., Ascomycotina) inferred from 18S rDNA sequences. Syst Ascomycet 11:107–118
Landvik S, Schumacher TK, Eriksson OE, Moss ST. 2003. Morphology and ultrastructure of Neolecta species. Mycol Res 107:1021–1031
Ekanayaka AH, Ariyawansa HA, Hyde KD, Jones EBG, Danaragama DA, Phillips AJL, Hongsanan S, Jayasiri SC, Zhao Q. DISCOMYCETES: the apothecial representatives of the phylum Ascomycota. Fungal Diversity 87:237–298
Recent Genus
RutstroemiaXeropilidium
Ionomidotis
Recent Species
Encoelia furfuraceaRutstroemia tiliacea
Xeropilidium dennisii