<i>Cribraria zonatispora</i>, development of a new myxomycete with unique spores

Abstract

A new myxomycete species, Cribraria zonatispora Lado, Mosquera et Beltrán-Tej., is described on the basis of collections from the Canary Islands and Mexico. Its unusual habitat on the inner veins of decayed cladodia of Opuntia spp. is documented. This species is distinguished from all other myxomycete taxa by its unique spores which have an equatorial depressed cingulum. Sporocarp morphogenesis of C. zonatispora is described based on moist chamber cultures. Comments on distribution and ecology are included.