Introduction to Fungi, Third Edition

296 PLECTOMYCETES
Fig11.8 Gymnoascus reessii.
Ascocarp showing thick-walled
branched reticulo peridial
hyphae and asci.
Fig11.9 Gymnoascus
reessii, gymnothecium
development.
(a) Antheridium
and ascogonium.
(b) Ascogonium showing
development of
ascogenous hyphae.
The peridial envelope
is also developing.
(c) Young
gymnothecium showing
asci at the tips of
ascogenous hyphae.
functions in soil ecosystems, and keys and
species descriptions have been provided by
Calduch et al. (2004) and Rice and Currah
(2005). Myxotrichum chartarum is cellulolytic and
has been known as a paper spoilage organism
since the early nineteenth century. Gymnothecia
form a thick chocolate-brown layer on paper
or cardboard (Fig. 11.10a) and are also readily
formed in culture. They are typical of the
Onygenales, consisting of a reticuloperidium
of anastomosing hyphae with beautiful curved
appendages (Fig. 11.10b). Other Myxotrichum spp.