Lichenopeltella mizerniana sp. nov. from the upper Pliocene of Mizerna (southern Poland)

Abstract

Fungal sporocarps having ostiole with setae were found in the upper Pliocene deposits from Mizerna (borehole Mizerna-Nowa), southern Poland. These remains morphologically correspond to the fossil-genus Trichothyrites Rosend., although the structure of the ostiolar collar with non-septate setae seems unique and is typical for sporocarps (catathecia) of some modern species of the genus Lichenopeltella Höhn. Other contemporary fungal genera with setose sporocarps differ considerably from Lichenopeltella in respect of their morphology. Taking this into consideration, a new fossil-species Lichenopeltella mizerniana G. Worobiec is proposed. Morphologically, Lichenopeltella mizerniana is similar both to some modern lichenicolous [L. peltigericola (D. Hawksw.) R. Sant., L. rangiferinae Brackel, and L. uncialicola Brackel] and non-lichenicolous species [L. ammophilae (J.P. Ellis) P.M. Kirk & Minter, L. palustris (J.P. Ellis) P.M. Kirk & Minter] of this genus. The presence of Lichenopeltella mizerniana suggests that the Pliocene climate of the Mizerna locality was probably at least moderately humid.