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Cystobasidium

Scientific Name: Cystobasidium

Family: Platygloeaceae

Category: Lichen

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Cystobasidium is a genus of fungi within the Basidiomycota phylum.

Genus: Cystobasidium
Family: Cystobasidiaceae
Order: Cystobasidiales
Class: Cystobasidiomycetes
Division: Basidiomycota
Synonyms: Achroomyces (for some species, e.g., Cystobasidium fimetarium = Achroomyces fimetarius)
Note: The text mentions several species and their classifications, including novel species designated as "f.a. sp. nov." (forma specialis nova), indicating a rank below species.

Cystobasidium species have been isolated from natural environments worldwide, including Brazil, the USA, Portugal, marine environments, and New Jersey.
They exhibit diverse ecological roles, including associations with plants and lichens in the Greater Sonoran Desert.

Some species are fungicolous, including lichenicolous (growing on lichens) and lignicolous (growing on wood).
They can be associated with other fungi.
Cystobasidium usneicola is parasitic, forming nodules on Usnea species (a type of lichen).

Basidiomata (fruiting bodies) are often poorly developed.
Cystobasidium usneicola forms small, fleshy, pinkish-orange nodules.
Basidia (spore-producing cells) may have 1-3 transverse septa (internal divisions).

Cystobasidium usneicola is parasitic on Usnea lichens.
Some isolates of Cystobasidium slooffiae may promote plant growth and seed germination.
Cystobasidium fimetarium has been found on animal excrement (e.g., deer droppings).

Genetic data, including ribosomal RNA gene sequences (e.g., 18S rRNA, 26S rRNA, 28S rRNA, ITS regions), are available for several species, such as Cystobasidium fimetarium and Cystobasidium pallidum.