Coccomyces
Genus of fungi
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Coccomyces is a genus of ascomycete fungi in the family Rhytismataceae.[2]
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| Coccomyces | |
|---|---|
| |
| Coccomyces dentatus | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Ascomycota |
| Class: | Leotiomycetes |
| Order: | Rhytismatales |
| Family: | Rhytismataceae |
| Genus: | Coccomyces De Not. (1847) |
| Type species | |
| Coccomyces coronatus (Schumach.) De Not. (1859) | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
The ascocarps of Coccomyces species form within the epidermal layer of a plant host. Many species are foliicolous, meaning they grow on leaves.[3]
In the Pacific Northwest, common hosts for Coccomyces species are plants in the family Ericaceae.[4]
Species
This genus includes, but is not limited to the following species:
- Coccomyces clavatus
- Coccomyces dentatus
- Coccomyces neolitseae – China[5]
- Coccomyces prominens – China[6]
Habitat and ecology
Coccomyces are often found in places with dry climates, or in microclimates that do not experience frequent alternate wetting and drying. The majority of species fruit on recently dead plant material.
Most species exhibit host specificity, however the preference is moreso related to leaf texture and ecology than to the taxonomy of the host itself.[7] Coccomyces are unusual in the Rhytismataceae in that they are relatively rare on monocotyledons.[7] Three species have been described on conifer needles.[8]