NAME Plochmopeltinites masonii
AGE (Cookson): Oligocene-Miocene; (Selkirk): Early Miocene.   AGE span: 33.9...15.97 mya
K&J CLASSIFICATION (2000) Ascomycetes, Microthyriales.
FIGURE(S)
Image of
Pl.26fig.2.jpg
FIGURE REFERENCE Cookson IC. 1947. Fossil fungi from Tertiary deposits in the southern hemisphere. Part I; Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales, v. 72, p. 207-214.
SPECIES, AUTHORITY P. masonii Cookson 1947a, p. 212, pl. 13, fig. 14.
LOCATION (Cookson) Australia, New Zealand and the Kerguelen Archipelago; (Selkirk): Kiandra, New South Wales, Australia.
ORIG DESCRIPTION* Ascomata superficial rounded, brown, glabrous, ostiolate, 106-200 µm in diameter with an entire, irregularly sinuate margin. Covering membranes prosenchymatous, composed of slender, wavy hyphae from 2-5 µm thick, those of the central region being, sometimes, thicker-walled than those of the periphery. Straighter branches may become free and extend beyond the limits of the ascoma. Ostiole 9-25 µm in diameter surrounded by a dense, slightly raised border.

EMENDED DESCRIPTION (Selkirk 1975, p. 84): Fructifications superficial, scattered, occasionally crowded and confluent, rounded, glabrous, ostiolate, up to 200 µm diameter; margin entire-sinuate or irregularly lobed. Covering membrane radiate, prosenchymatous, composed of slender wavy hyphae 2-5 µm thick, those of central area often thicker-walled than those towards the periphery. Some hyphae may extend beyond the ascoma as free hyphae. Ostiole up to 25 µm diameter, surrounded by slightly raised border of small, thick-walled cells. Free hyphae, if present, indistinctly septate, sometimes forming a pellicle.
COMMENTS* (Cookson): I have pleasure in naming this species in honor of Mr. E.W. Mason, M.A., who gave helpful advice concerning its taxonomy.

(Selkirk): Cookson (1947a) recorded this species from Kerguelen Is., Kiandra, and Traralgon, Victoria. Specimens from Kiandra were recorded on fragments of unidentified cuticle. Comparison of the type specimen with those described here leaves little doubt that the same species is involved. Cookson (1947a) included Plochmopeltinites in the family Micropeltaceae. Alvin & Muir (1970) pointed out that the radiate nature of the thyriothecium in Plochmopeltinites points to the Microthyriaceae rather than to the Micropeltaceae in which the thyriothecium is strictly non-radiate.
PUBLICATION REFERENCE Cookson IC. 1947. Fossil fungi from Tertiary deposits in the southern hemisphere. Part I; Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales, v. 72, p. 207-214.

Selkirk DR. 1975. Tertiary fossil fungi from Kiandra, New South Wales; Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales, v. 100, p. 70-94.
K&J REMARKS
TYPE P. masonii Cookson 1947a, p. 212, pl. 13, fig. 14 [lectotype, designated by Jansonius & Hills (1976), card no. 2046].
ALL NAMES (Including synonyms) Plochmopeltinites masonii
SERIAL NUMBER 1356
PUBLIC COMMENTS
 *For source, see Publication Reference.