Notes on the Genera Ectomyces and Termitaria, Fungi Parasitic on Termites

Abstract

Recently (1927) I described a peculiar fungus parasitic on the fore-legs of a termite under the name Ectomyces calotermi n.g., n.sp. Unfortunately, I at the time overlooked a paper by Thaxter (1920), in which, among other fungus parasites of insects, he described the genus Termitaria which he founded for two species of a fungus parasitic on termites, and which appears to be the same as Ectomyces. I considered Ectomyces to be an Ascomycete; but Thaxter, who studied living material at different stages, says that the apothecial-like fructification arises by vertical proliferation from a primary pseudo-cellular layer of much branched and closely septate hyphae, some cells of which become modified and assume a chlamydospore-like appearance; and that the spores are successively abstricted as endo-conidia, and, in one species, are expelled through a terminal pore. Consequently, he considers it to be a Fungus Imperfectus of uncertain affinities, and apparently occupying an isolated position in the group Leptostromaceae.