Taxonomic comparison of Diachea subsessilis and D. deviata (Myxomycetes, Didymiaceae) using scanning electron microscopy
Gaither TW and Keller HW. 2004. Taxonomic comparison of Diachea subsessilis and D. deviata (Myxomycetes, Didymiaceae) using scanning electron microscopy. Syst. Geogr. Pl.. 74:217-230
Comparative light microscope (LM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations were made from type specimens and field collections of Diachea subsessilis and D. deviata. The objective was to determine the taxonomic validity of D. deviata Observations indicate that Diachea subsessilis and D. deviata are conspecific. Diachea deviata was described from an aberrant, prematurely dried collection. Developmental variation was seen in fruiting body size and shape, stalk length, peridium iridescence and texture, and branching patterns of the capillitial threads. Reticulate spore wall omamentation was a constant character even under unfavorable environmental conditions. A composite species description of D. subsessilis is presented based mostly on SEM observations of specimens from various geographical regions.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Gaither, Thomas; Keller, Harold
- Units
- GRSM
- Keywords
- Diachea deviata, Diachea subsessilis, Didymiaceae, GRSM-00068, myxomycetes, Physarales, scanning electron microscopy, Taxonomy