Genus in Newfoundland and Labrador Andrus Voitk1 and Esteri Ohenoja2 1 Foray Newfoundland & Labrador, Rocky Harbour, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada 2 Botanical Museum, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland

the partners (symbionts) is always a a “” classically named Botrydina Abstract and the other(s) an alga and/or (Oberwinkler, 1984). Although both Two members of the small genus a cyanobacterium (Brodo et al., 2001). symbionts live in an obligate mutualistic Multiclavula, one relatively common The lichen is known by the name of association, they remain recognizable by and one relatively uncommon, found in the fungus, because the fungus is the their separate morphology. Thus, as far Newfoundland and Labrador in 2008, are dominant partner in this arrangement: as the definition of lichen is concerned, reported. Contemplation on their physiology it encloses its smaller symbiont(s) in the combination of obligate symbionts and morphology opens some questions, if not fungal tissue to form the new organism is present, a kind of thallus can be said insights, into the nature of and allows and determines the shape of the lichen to be formed, but the relationship is so for some speculation about the evolutionary thallus (the lichen “leaf”). The partners loose that many authorities consider relationships of fungi. may be able to exist independently, them separate organisms rather than a Key Words: although in most cases they are obligate new, combined, organism. Multiclavula, , associates, unable to live without a We probably only have two species Multiclavula mucida, lichen, Botyritis, symbiont. Because both partners as well of Muticlavula in Newfoundland and Coccomyxa as their associations have evolved in Labrador, M. mucida and M. vernalis. varied ways at varied times, lichens do The former is sufficiently common to not form a phylogenetic, evolutionary be described in texts for our region lichen is an organism or taxonomic group, but are defined by Barron (1999) and McNeil (2006), created by a physical and by their physiology. Most of the fungi as well as in many texts from other physiological incorporation that form lichens are Ascomycetes (sac regions in North America. It is rare of Atwo or more organisms into one fungi). Only some 20 Basidiomycetes in Europe and threatened in many new structure, resulting in a different (fungi that sporulate from basidia and countries (Randland et al., 2008), but morphological shape from that of usually make fruiting bodies with a seems to be found on all continents, the component organisms; one of cap and stem, i.e. “mushrooms”) form save Antarctia. Multiclavula vernalis lichens. is also reported globally, limited to Genus arcto-alpine habitats, often as a pioneer Multiclavula species in moist pioneer soils. (Pioneer was proposed soils are newly formed soils from the by Petersen to crumbling of rock caused by constant include a group freeze and thaw and pioneer species are of club shaped those species of complex organisms first Basidiomycetes to move into these soils, after algae and of similar hyphal bacteria.) In North America, it seems to morphology, all be an eastern species; arcto-alpine areas but one seemingly of the West have a close relative, M. obligate associates corynoides, which resembles M. vernalis of other organisms microscopically, but macroscopically is (Peterson, 1967). somewhere between the relatively robust The lichenized M. vernalis and the fragile M. mucida. members of the Collections of M. vernalis have been genus straddle the reported from western Labrador in 1963 lichen border: they (Kallio and Kankainen, 1964) (Twin Falls enclose their algal and Northwest River). partners in small In 2008 we collected M. mucida from capsules of mycelial two sites in central Newfoundland tissue, but virtually (Corduroy Pond Trail near Grand unstructured, Falls-Windsor and Notre Dame Park these algal capsules Ski Trail). We also collected M. vernalis appear as a green from two places in central Labrador, granular scum on both within 3 km of our base camp at the surfaces where Konrad Brook Pond (56° 13’ 08.4” N, 62° the mushroom 46’ 37.6” W). Both were in depressed fruits, producing moist areas of relatively bare soil, 26 FUNGI Volume 4:2 Spring 2011 although not true pioneer soil. pointed tip. Stem: white translucent, white. Stem: 2-5 x 5-10 mm, cylindrical, Figure 1 (page 30) shows both species about one-half as thin and short as often bent, white, arising from very small in situ. We offer this communication cap, arising from small area of white area of white mycelium. Habitat: moist because both occupy an interesting place mycelium. Habitat: hardwood or mixed areas of bare soil. Substrate: bare soil at the edges of the lichen world, likely forest. Substrate: barkless log, probably covered with green scum of Coccomyxa constitute a complete overview of the hardwood, covered with green scum of (Botrydina). Habit: Gregarious. genus in our province and are rare: M. Coccomyxa. Habit: Gregarious. Season: Season: entire season (short summer). mucida in much of the world and M. Throughout the season, summer and Microscopy: Basidia 4-spored, spores vernalis here. fall. Microscopy: Basidia 4-6-spored, hyaline, 8-12 x 2.5-3 µm. Multiclavula mucida (Fries) Petersen spores hyaline, ellipsoid 5-7 x 2.5-3 µm. Discussion Multiclavula vernalis (Schweinitz) Petersen Cap: 0.2-0.5 x 0.5-1.5 mm, fusiform, The question of whether these occasionally branched, often bent, Cap: 1-8 x 10-27 mm, clavate to organisms are true lichens or not sticky (note adherence of small debris) truncate, with furrows and knobs, may be somewhat confusing. pale yellow or pinkish with darker glabrous, pale orange, tip sometimes Continued on page 30.

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FUNGI Volume 4:2 Spring 2011 27 Multiclavula continued from page 27.

Perhaps it is easier to consider them as an extreme form of ectomycorrhizal fungi. Ectomycorrhizal fungi form a mycelial mantle around root tips of their symbionts, not possible if the symbiont is a unicellular organism like an alga. In this case, might the thin envelope around the entire organism be the equivalent of the mycelial mantle? Genetic studies have placed Multiclavula in the —the cantharelloid clade—along with Catharellus, Clavulina, Craterellus, Hydnum, Sistotrema and others (Moncalvo et al., 2006). All of the other genera in that clade are ectomycorrhizal fungi. A lichen might seem an odd misfit in that company until one accepts the idea that in the case of Multiclavula the ectomycorrhizal association is modified for a unicellular organism. Parenthetically, strength to the argument that the cantharelloid clade consists of ectomycorrhizal fungi is given by the presence of Sistotrema in the clade. That genus was thought to consist only of saprophytes, but recent work has shown some species to be primarily mycorrhizal Nilsson et al., 2006). At the same time, genetic studies have revealed Sistotrema to be a polyphyletic genus and only its mycorrhizal species share Multiclavula mucida, top, photographed in Central Newfoundland genetic similarity with members of the and M. vernalis, bottom, photographed in central Labrador. Note cantharelloid clade. the green scum covering the substrate in both cases, unmistakable The foregoing suggests a simple, but less obvious on the mud of the lower photo. functional way to view fungi, functional because it seems to work and it classifies them according to function (physiology): divide fungi into those that get their carbon by digesting carbonaceous material and those that receive it from photobionts (organisms with chlorphyll that enables them to synthetize sugars from CO2 with the energy of sunlight). In this division, parasites are subdivisions, not major categories, possible in both groups. The advantage of this Pilzanschauung is that the semantics of exactly how much fungal tissue around algae, the shape of the “thallus” or the degree of algal incorporation is needed to be called a lichen becomes somewhat moot. The mighty Quercus and the lowly Coccomyxa become equals, different expressions of a diverse fungal photobiontism, and envelopment, ectomycorrhiza and arbuscular mycorrhiza become but examples of mechnics. 30 FUNGI Volume 4:2 Spring 2011 University of Turku A II A Turku of University Finnmark. adjacent and Lapland Finnish of macromycetes the on CT. Haven, America. 2001. Sharnoff. Canada. AB, Edmonton, Publishing, Canada Eastern and Ontario McNeil, R. 2006. 2006. R. McNeil, Notes 1964. Kankainen. E. P., Kallio, S. , Sharnoff S.D. I.M., Brodo, 1999. G. Barron, References The manlooksaround him,thenmoves on; Wade German Large brain-like bodiesswell inthegloom moves between thetrees, bootstreading Black jelly fungi and colorful slimemolds Black jellyfungi andcolorful the oldmanburstsinto acloudofspores The oldmansteps offthepassengerbus while grey andochre mildews multiply and headstowards theforest’s edge. begin to spread over tree andstone. the grey shadow seat. ontheempty Mushrooms sprout inhisfootsteps. Yale University Press, New New Press, University Yale even asmistandmoonmoldover, Vinohradska 159A the forest deadens, decomposes, the fruitingfungoidsfollow him. The Propagule on the silent soft brownon thesilent soft earth. As night bloomsaround him, Soon streamsSoon clot, roots rot; and theevening glows sky It’s astheoldman twilight No oneonboard notices Lichens of North North of Lichens oddly phosphorescent, Mushrooms of of Mushrooms in nurturing mist. in nurturing Le grand livre des des livre grand Le turns to swamp. emerald green. Czech Republic c/oRFE/RL,Inc. 32: 178-235. 32: Annnals of the the of Annnals . Lone Pine Pine Lone . 10000Praha 10 NCA -Box NCA 37 associations in two species of of species two in associations ectomycorrhizal of indications strong provides mycelia mantle root-tip of identification molecular body-guided Fruiting 2006. Kõljalg. U. Larsson, Mycologia methods. reconstruction phylogenetic and trees gene incongruent with dealing clade: cantharelloid The 2006. Canada. QC, Waterloo, Canada du l’est de et Québec du champignons Nilsson, R. H., K.-E. Larsson, E. E. Larsson, K.-E. H., R. Nilsson, al. et Nilsson, R.H. J.M., Moncalvo, . Editions Michel Quintin, Quintin, Michel Editions . 98: 937-948. 98: QuarterPageFungiMag 11/3/108:54AMPage3 T H C I T S I R M A S U R U G M O O R H S U M R E H C A E T o

E C O L O G I S T · E N T O M O L O G I S T · Sistotrema or 18” der posters: der Proceeds benefit Sam Ristich Archive Fund Archive Ristich Sam benefit Proceeds X 24” · $25 $25 · 24” · Estonica Estonica Red List of Estonia. Estonia. of List Red new the in Lichens 2008. al. et Lõhmus, 205-221. 77: Naturalist Midland American vernalis the of Redefinition VII. fungi. clavarioid Hedwigia Basidiolichens. in interactions 1426-1432. 110: (). R O T N E M Randlane, T., I. Jüriado, A. Suija, P. P. Suija, A. Jüriado, I. T., Randlane, on Notes 1967. R.H. Petersen, Fungus-alga 1984. F. Oberwinkler, D E M A R F N U www 44: 113-120. 44: 79: 739-774. 79: FUNGI Volume 2011 4:2Spring .samristich.com · · · TURALIST S I L A R U AT N A R O VAT I T O M - Research Mycological $ C 115 . . Folia Folia mucida

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