Clitopilus byssisedoides
Encyclopedia
Clitopilus byssisedoides is a species of fungus
in the Entolomataceae
family. It was formally described as new to science in 2010, based on specimens found growing in a greenhouse
in Botanischer Garten Jena
, in Germany.
is nested within Rhodocybe, and both genera have been subsumed into a broader definition of Clitopilus. Clitopilus byssisedoides was formally described in a 2010 Mycotaxon
publication. The authors suggest that it should be classified in the section Claudopodes, of the former genus Rhodocybe, as defined by Timothy J. Baroni in 1981. This infrageneric grouping of species is characterized by stems that are either absent or laterally attached to the cap, and pleurocystidia (cystidia on the gill face) lacking brightly colored pigment
s.
of C. byssisedoides are pleurotoid
(referring to gilled mushrooms with off-center stems that grow on wood), and attached to its substrate
with distinct rhizomorphs. The cap
is convex, and the margin is wavy and rolled inward, so that each of the individual caps is shell-shaped. The caps attain diameters of up to 20 mm (0.78740157480315 in) The color is grayish and the surface smooth and hygrophanous
, and partially translucent, so that the outlines of the gills can be seen. The gills are moderately distantly spaced, and initially creamy-gray before turning dark ochre
with age. The mushrooms are sessile, lacking a distinct stem
. The mushroom flesh
is very thin, and has a watery grayish-cream color.
The spore
s are elliptical to pip-shaped, slightly thick-walled, and covered with isolated bumps and ridges. When viewed in profile under a light microscope they appear weakly angular, and have dimensions of 5.5–7 by 4–4.5 µm
. They are strongly cyanophilous, meaning the spore walls will readily absorb Methyl blue
stain. The basidia (spore-bearing cells in the hymenium
) are four-spored and measure 15–32 by 5–9 µm. The gill edge is fertile, and lacks cystidia. The cap cuticle
is a compact cutis (characterized by hypha
e that are repent, that is, running parallel to the cap surface) of narrow (2–6 µm wide), cylindrical hyphae, gradually passing into cap tissue with incrusted pigment
. The cap flesh
is made up of cylindrical hyphae measuring 4–12 µm wide. Clamp connection
s are absent.
(Orchidaceae) in a tropical hothouse in the Jena Botanical Garden
. The authors suggest the species is likely of tropical origin.
Fungus
A fungus is a member of a large group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds , as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, Fungi, which is separate from plants, animals, and bacteria...
in the Entolomataceae
Entolomataceae
The Entolomataceae, also known as Rhodophyllaceae are a large family of pink spored terrestrial gilled mushrooms which includes the genera Entoloma, Rhodocybe, and Clitopilus. The family collectively contains over 1500 species, the large majority of which are in Entoloma...
family. It was formally described as new to science in 2010, based on specimens found growing in a greenhouse
Greenhouse
A greenhouse is a building in which plants are grown. These structures range in size from small sheds to very large buildings...
in Botanischer Garten Jena
Botanischer Garten Jena
The Botanischer Garten Jena is the second oldest botanical garden in Germany, maintained by the University of Jena and located at Fürstengraben 26, Jena, Thuringia, Germany. It is open daily; an admission fee is charged....
, in Germany.
Discovery
The species was first mentioned by Andreas Gminder in a 2005 publication, who provisionally called it Rhodocybe byssisedoides because of its similarity to the species Entoloma byssisedum. Since that publication, a molecular phylogenetics analysis has shown that ClitopilusClitopilus
Clitopilus is a genus of fungi in the family Entolomataceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in northern temperate areas. Although a 2008 estimate suggested about 30 species in the genus, a more recent publication using molecular phylogenetics has redefined the genus to include...
is nested within Rhodocybe, and both genera have been subsumed into a broader definition of Clitopilus. Clitopilus byssisedoides was formally described in a 2010 Mycotaxon
Mycotaxon
Mycotaxon is a peer-reviewed scientific journal that publishes papers on the nomenclature and taxonomy of the fungi, including lichens....
publication. The authors suggest that it should be classified in the section Claudopodes, of the former genus Rhodocybe, as defined by Timothy J. Baroni in 1981. This infrageneric grouping of species is characterized by stems that are either absent or laterally attached to the cap, and pleurocystidia (cystidia on the gill face) lacking brightly colored pigment
Pigment
A pigment is a material that changes the color of reflected or transmitted light as the result of wavelength-selective absorption. This physical process differs from fluorescence, phosphorescence, and other forms of luminescence, in which a material emits light.Many materials selectively absorb...
s.
Description
The fruit bodiesBasidiocarp
In fungi, a basidiocarp, basidiome or basidioma , is the sporocarp of a basidiomycete, the multicellular structure on which the spore-producing hymenium is borne. Basidiocarps are characteristic of the hymenomycetes; rusts and smuts do not produce such structures...
of C. byssisedoides are pleurotoid
Pleurotoid fungi
Gilled fungi with laterally-attached fruiting bodies are said to be pleurotoid . Pleurotoid fungi are typically wood-decay fungi and are found on dead and dying trees and coarse woody debris...
(referring to gilled mushrooms with off-center stems that grow on wood), and attached to its substrate
Substrate (biology)
In biology a substrate is the surface a plant or animal lives upon and grows on. A substrate can include biotic or abiotic materials and animals. For example, encrusting algae that lives on a rock can be substrate for another animal that lives on top of the algae. See also substrate .-External...
with distinct rhizomorphs. The cap
Pileus (mycology)
The pileus is the technical name for the cap, or cap-like part, of a basidiocarp or ascocarp that supports a spore-bearing surface, the hymenium. The hymenium may consist of lamellae, tubes, or teeth, on the underside of the pileus...
is convex, and the margin is wavy and rolled inward, so that each of the individual caps is shell-shaped. The caps attain diameters of up to 20 mm (0.78740157480315 in) The color is grayish and the surface smooth and hygrophanous
Hygrophanous
The adjective hygrophanous refers to the color change of mushroom tissue as it loses or absorbs water, which causes the pileipellis to become more transparent when wet and opaque when dry....
, and partially translucent, so that the outlines of the gills can be seen. The gills are moderately distantly spaced, and initially creamy-gray before turning dark ochre
Ochre
Ochre is the term for both a golden-yellow or light yellow brown color and for a form of earth pigment which produces the color. The pigment can also be used to create a reddish tint known as "red ochre". The more rarely used terms "purple ochre" and "brown ochre" also exist for variant hues...
with age. The mushrooms are sessile, lacking a distinct stem
Stipe (mycology)
thumb|150px|right|Diagram of a [[basidiomycete]] stipe with an [[annulus |annulus]] and [[volva |volva]]In mycology a stipe refers to the stem or stalk-like feature supporting the cap of a mushroom. Like all tissues of the mushroom other than the hymenium, the stipe is composed of sterile hyphal...
. The mushroom flesh
Trama (mycology)
In mycology trama is a term for the inner, fleshy portion of a mushroom's basidiocarp, or fruit body. It is distinct from the outer layer of tissue, known as the pileipellis or cuticle, and from the spore-bearing tissue layer known as the hymenium....
is very thin, and has a watery grayish-cream color.
The spore
Spore
In biology, a spore is a reproductive structure that is adapted for dispersal and surviving for extended periods of time in unfavorable conditions. Spores form part of the life cycles of many bacteria, plants, algae, fungi and some protozoa. According to scientist Dr...
s are elliptical to pip-shaped, slightly thick-walled, and covered with isolated bumps and ridges. When viewed in profile under a light microscope they appear weakly angular, and have dimensions of 5.5–7 by 4–4.5 µm
Micrometre
A micrometer , is by definition 1×10-6 of a meter .In plain English, it means one-millionth of a meter . Its unit symbol in the International System of Units is μm...
. They are strongly cyanophilous, meaning the spore walls will readily absorb Methyl blue
Methyl blue
Methyl blue, also known as Cotton blue, Helvetia blue, Acid blue 93, or C.I. 42780, is a chemical compound with the molecular formula C37H27N3Na2O9S3. It is used as a stain in histology. Methyl blue stains collagen blue in tissue sections. It is soluble in water and slightly soluble in ethanol...
stain. The basidia (spore-bearing cells in the hymenium
Hymenium
The hymenium is the tissue layer on the hymenophore of a fungal fruiting body where the cells develop into basidia or asci, which produce spores. In some species all of the cells of the hymenium develop into basidia or asci, while in others some cells develop into sterile cells called cystidia or...
) are four-spored and measure 15–32 by 5–9 µm. The gill edge is fertile, and lacks cystidia. The cap cuticle
Pileipellis
thumb|300px||right|The cuticle of some mushrooms, such as [[Russula mustelina]] shown here, can be peeled from the cap, and may be useful as an identification feature....
is a compact cutis (characterized by hypha
Hypha
A hypha is a long, branching filamentous structure of a fungus, and also of unrelated Actinobacteria. In most fungi, hyphae are the main mode of vegetative growth, and are collectively called a mycelium; yeasts are unicellular fungi that do not grow as hyphae.-Structure:A hypha consists of one or...
e that are repent, that is, running parallel to the cap surface) of narrow (2–6 µm wide), cylindrical hyphae, gradually passing into cap tissue with incrusted pigment
Pigment
A pigment is a material that changes the color of reflected or transmitted light as the result of wavelength-selective absorption. This physical process differs from fluorescence, phosphorescence, and other forms of luminescence, in which a material emits light.Many materials selectively absorb...
. The cap flesh
Trama (mycology)
In mycology trama is a term for the inner, fleshy portion of a mushroom's basidiocarp, or fruit body. It is distinct from the outer layer of tissue, known as the pileipellis or cuticle, and from the spore-bearing tissue layer known as the hymenium....
is made up of cylindrical hyphae measuring 4–12 µm wide. Clamp connection
Clamp connection
A clamp connection is a structure formed by growing hyphal cells of certain fungi. It is created to ensure each septum, or segment of hypha separated by crossed walls, receives a set of differing nuclei, which are obtained through mating of hyphae of differing sexual types...
s are absent.
Habitat and distribution
Clitopilus byssisedoides was found growing on decayed wood in pot with PhalaenopsisPhalaenopsis
Phalaenopsis Blume , abbreviated Phal in the horticultural trade, is an orchid genus of approximately 60 species. Phalaenopsis is one of the most popular orchids in the trade, through the development of many artificial hybrids....
(Orchidaceae) in a tropical hothouse in the Jena Botanical Garden
Botanischer Garten Jena
The Botanischer Garten Jena is the second oldest botanical garden in Germany, maintained by the University of Jena and located at Fürstengraben 26, Jena, Thuringia, Germany. It is open daily; an admission fee is charged....
. The authors suggest the species is likely of tropical origin.