Turgidosculum ulvae

Turgidosculum is a fungal genus in the family Verrucariaceae. It comprises the single species Turgidosculum ulvae. The fungus forms a lichen-like association with a green alga in the Blidingia minima complex, growing as dark green patches on rocky seashores in the intertidal zone. Originally described in 1902 as a parasite on algae, its unusual biology led to conflicting interpretations until molecular studies placed it within the Verrucariaceae. Confirmed records of the species come from the Pacific...