NAME Trichopeltinites fusilis
AGE Early Eocene.   AGE span: 55.8...40.4 mya
K&J CLASSIFICATION (2000) Ascomycetes, Microthyriales.
FIGURE(S)
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FIGURE REFERENCE Dilcher DL. 1965. Epiphyllous fungi from Eocene deposits in Western Tennessee, U.S.A.; Palaeontographica, Abt. B, v. 116, p. 1-54.
SPECIES, AUTHORITY T. fusilis Dilcher 1965, p. 21, pl. 11, figs. 86-89; pl. 12, figs. 90-94 (syntypes) [pl. 11, fig. 88, lectotype, here selected].
LOCATION Western Tennessee, USA.
ORIG DESCRIPTION* Stromata extremely variable in size and shape, 30-500 µm in diameter, circular to tongue-shaped with irregular lobed margins. Stromata most common on upper epidermis, one cell thick, free hyphae may be present. Hyphae closely appressed together and to the surface of the host leaf, forming radiate and linear stromata. Rows of hyphae originate from a central area in a stroma and grow out in all directions, dichotomizing and forming arms or lobes of various shapes and sizes. Cells near central area of stroma generally isodiametric, 3-8 µm in diameter, angular, lack any specific orientation. Cells elsewhere in stroma square to elongate, 2-4 x 8-25 µm, frequently dichotomize, increasing the radiating rows of cells. Upper surface of stroma slightly granulose. Mature stromata characterized by ascomata that are local, round, thickened areas 25-50 µm in diameter, located centrally within the lobes or main body of the stroma. One to several fruiting bodies present in a single stroma. At maturity the thickened cells located over the stromata arch away from the surface of the host leaf and split apart. Eventually they break away from the stroma leaving holes which then indicate the position of the former ascomata. Small fruiting bodies 25-40 µm in diameter, developing central irregular openings 5-7 µm in diameter at maturity, are associated with and/or connected to large stromata by evanescent hyphae, appear to be diminutive fertile stroma. Seta bases 4-5 µm in diameter, rarely present, dark, thickened points, may be surrounded by rosette of mycelial cells. No spores found. Host plants various species of Sapindus. [For more details see "Discussion" in original paper.]
COMMENTS* Trichopeltinites fusilis is very similar to an epiphytic form described by Köck (1939) from Eocene brown coal deposits in Germany which he considered to be Phycopeltis, a green alga, on the basis of gross morphologic similarities. However, upon closer examination of some material of modern Phycopeltis, the general aspect of modern Phycopeltis was found to be quite different from both T. fusilis and Köck's Phycopeltis sp. In addition to the above evidence, the presence of ascomata in the mature stromata rather conclusively shows that the fossil forms described here are not relatable to algae, but are relatable to fungal forms in the Trichopelteae. Trichopeltinites fusilis is similar to the fossil material T. pulcher Cookson 1947a and to the modern forms Trichopeltis reptans Spegazzini and Trichothallus hawaiiensis Stevens. A few stromata of

Trichopeltinites fusilis had thickened round seta bases (no setae were found) similar to those produced by the setae of Trichothallus hawaiiensis. However, these bases were not common and the majority of the stromata lacked bases and were more similar to the fertile non-setate Trichopeltis reptans.
PUBLICATION REFERENCE Dilcher DL. 1965. Epiphyllous fungi from Eocene deposits in Western Tennessee, U.S.A.; Palaeontographica, Abt. B, v. 116, p. 1-54.
K&J REMARKS Although Dilcher did not designate a holotype, but syntypes (all resulting from a single collection), Kalgutkar and Jansonius (2000) consider that the name was validly published, in accordance with ICBN Art. 8.1, which states that: "for small herbaceous plants and most non-vascular plants, the type may consist of more than one individual ... conserved permanently on one ... microscope slide, or in one equivalent preparation, e.g. a box ...." Fossil plants are not excepted from this tolerant Rule.

Kalgutkar and Jansonius (2000) select a lectotype from these syntypes; it is permanently preserved in the paleobotanical collections of the Peabody Natural History Museum, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
TYPE T. fusilis Dilcher 1965, p. 21, pl. 11, figs. 86-89; pl. 12, figs. 90-94 (syntypes) [pl. 11, fig. 88, lectotype selected by Kalgutkar & Jansonius (20000].
ALL NAMES (Including synonyms) Trichopeltinites fusilis
SERIAL NUMBER 1723
PUBLIC COMMENTS
 *For source, see Publication Reference.