An Ascobolus sp. has appeared in some quantity on dung of Canada Goose, Branta canadensis.

The apothecia are whitish, globose and very small (0.25-0.3mm) and would presumably be placed in section Dasyobolus. Asci are 8-spored; the ascospores measure 29-31.1 x 15.5-17.6µm. It is the ornamentation of the ascospores which has me confused. The pigmented epispore is not smooth, or warted or with a pattern of elongated cracks, instead the surface of the spores is covered with numerous, small irregular pits (De: "Gruben" / Fr. "fosses") as can be seen in these preliminary images. The ornamentation is not total in many spores and there are are paler areas; on seeing this at lower magnifications I wondered about A. degluptus, but all the images of that I have seen show a warted ornamentation. There are occasional irregular cracks on some of the spores - these can be seen in the images here.

I know A. stictoideus well and it is not that - I also place here an image of that species using the same microscopy to show the difference.

I cannot find any Ascobolus species which match this find - any thoughts would be very welcome. More images will follow.

Cordialement

Chris