Preliminary study of North American schizopora species

Abstract

Macro- and micro-morphological characteristics were examined among specimens of 'Schizopora' paradoxa, 'Schizopora flavipora', and 'Schizopora apacheriensis' collected from temperate and tropical North America. Characteristics which delineate these species are discussed and clarified. Possible synonymy with recently described poroid species of 'Hyphodontia' is discussed. Keys for the identification of North American species and for world wide species are presented. From micro-morphological examinations mitic system and spore size were found to be delineating features of the genus. The use of cultural characteristics, phenol oxidase tests and somatic incompatibility were found to be of little use as definitive tests in separating the three North American species. 'Key words. Hyphodontia, Schizopora', taxonomy, cultural growth, phenol oxidase testing, somatic incompatibility, dikaryotic culture pairings.