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Polycoccum: A Lichenicolous Fungus

Polycoccum is a genus of lichenicolous fungi, meaning it lives on lichens. These fungi are part of the Ascomycota phylum. This content provides an overview of the Polycoccum genus, drawing from various research and observations.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Polycoccum Sauter ex Krb.
• Common Name: Polycoccum Lichen
• Family: Dacampiaceae (sometimes referred to as Lichenotheliaceae in older literature)
• Kingdom: Plantae (Note: While listed under Plantae in one source, fungi are now classified in their own kingdom, Fungi.)
• Synonyms: Some species have undergone taxonomic revisions, for example, Polycoccum slaptoniense is now known as Didymocyrtis slaptoniense.
• Rank: Genus, with numerous identified species.

Distribution and Habitat

• Polycoccum species have a broad distribution, found in various locations including:
  • Europe (e.g., Spain, Germany, Iceland, Belgium, Sweden, Norway)
  • North America (e.g., Greater Sonoran Desert Region)
  • Antarctica
  • Russia
  • New Zealand
  • Turkey (Anatolia)
• These fungi are often found in diverse habitats, including temperate rainforests, bryophyte-lichen tundra, and other regions.
• Some species are ubiquitous.

Ecological Role

• Polycoccum species are lichenicolous, meaning they grow on and often parasitize other lichens.
• Some species induce gall formation on their host lichens, as seen in Polycoccum species on the lichen genus Placopsis.
• They can be found on various lichen genera, including Lepraria, Xanthoria, Caloplaca, and others.

Morphological Characteristics

• Polycoccum are Ascomycota, characterized by their ascocarps.
• Some species exhibit a granular appearance and may be colored differently from their host lichen.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Polycoccum species are lichenicolous fungi, directly interacting with and often parasitizing various lichen species.
• Some species are associated with specific host lichens, like Polycoccum anatolicum on Lepraria incana.

Quirky Facts

• Some Polycoccum species induce gall formation on their lichen hosts, creating unique structures on the lichen thallus.

Further Information

• Lichen Flora of the Greater Sonoran Desert Region (Nash, T.H., Ryan, B.D., Gries, C., Bungartz, F., (eds.) 2001)
• British Lichen Society (BLS)
• NBN (data.nbn.org.uk) for UK distribution maps
• Lichen Unlimited: Arizona State University, Tempe
• ResearchGate for publications