Carbonea vitellinaria (Nyl.) Hertel

Lichenicolous unlichenized Ascomycota

    Thallus invisible with the exception of apothecia, hyphae immersed within host thallus. Apothecia more or less numerous, sometimes clustered, 0.2-0.4 mm diam., more or less rounded and, when clustered, often distorted due to compression, disc bright, black, proper exciple distinct, concolourous. Epihymenium typically blue-black, dark blue-green under an optical microscope (see picture). Asci 8-spored, Lecanora type, thin walls. Ascospores  simple, colourless, ellipsoid, apices rounded, 8-13 x 5-7 µm (according to our measures). Photobiont: chlorococcoid. Main hosts: Candelariella vitellina and Candelariella coralliza.