Polycoccum Hawksworthianum (Polycoccaceae, Trypetheliales), A New Lichenicolous Fungus on Lepra and Varicellaria from India

The study revealed a new species of Polucoccum colonising thallus of lichen genus Lepra and Varicellaria in tropical and temperate regions of India. The genus belonging to the family Polycoccaceae is represented by 7 species in India. Though the genus is host-specific, there are 12 genera of lichens which are home for more than one species of this fungus. It is the second known species of Polucoccum on members of Lepra and Varicellaria, and differs from the previously known ones – 1) Polucoccum ochvarianum by being gall forming and having smaller perithecia [(88-)104-128-152(−170) × (81-)95-114-133(−145) μm] and 2) Polucoccum sp. in having smaller perithecia [op. cit. vs. 250-300 μm], hymenial gelatine I-, and smaller asci [(50-)55-60-65(-75) × (10-)13-15-17(-18) vs. 90 × 14 μim].