Corticiaceae Marchandiomyces corallinus # Lichenicolous fungus. Widespread on various lichens including Parmelia and Physcia species An aggressive basidiomycete forming scattered or densely massed colonies of tiny pink or coral-pink coralloid, +/- spherical sclerotia on bleached, necrotic areas of the host thallus. Conidia are infrequent, 11-15 x 7-10 µm. Causes extensive die-back of the host lichen. Micrograph below showing the cells in the sclerotia. Similar: M. aurantiacus, orange sclerotia on corticolous Physcia species, Illosporiopsis christiansenii, softer pink sporodichia with coiled conidia. Laetisaria lichenicola has a smooth, shiny appearance

Micrograph showing the cells in the sclerotia

Marchandiomyces corallinus
Studland, Dorset. December 2014