Saccobolus beckii
Saccobolus beckii Hiemerl
Ascobolaceae
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B2ab(i,iv,v)+c(i,iii)].
Morphology and biology. Fruit-bodies (apothecia) single or crowded, superficial, sessile, discoid, 0.1–0.7 mm in diameter, at first subglobose, later more or less pulvinate, smooth, almost hyaline; disc convex, hyaline, at maturity dotted of appearing on the surface ascus tips. Spores ellipsoid-fusiform, often slightly bubble-like, 17.5–23 × 8.5–10(12.5) µm, (15–17 × 8–9.5 µm without episporium), unicellular with very coarse warts on the surface or with big lumps of pigment, 1–3 µm thick, at first hyaline, black at the end. I–XII.
Habitats and populations. Coprophilous species. On excrement of cow, sheep, deer.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Balkan Range (Western –Midzhur, Kom and Todorini Kukli peaks), Rhodopi Mts (Western – Yundola locality, Beglika Strict Nature Reserve).
General distribution. Europe, North America.
Threats. Habitat changes as result of drought; decrease in numbers of sheep and cows; poor recruitment.
Conservation measures taken. Included in the Red List of Fungi in Bulgaria. One of the localities is situated on the territory of Beglika Strict Nature Reserve. Some localities are in sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Research into the biology and ecology of the species; inclusion in the National monitoring system of the biological diversity; preservation of the localities of the species.
References. Fakirova 1970a; Gyosheva et al. 2006.
Author: Evtimiya Dimitrova
