Ecology of xerotolerant fungi, with special emphasis on
Orbiliomycetes
About 80%
of the species of Orbiliomycetes grow on xeric (periodically dry) plant
material. The ascocarps are xerotolerant as a whole, which means that all parts
survive complete drying out of their cells, a phenomenon known under the term
poikilohydry. Depending on the climatic conditions to which these species are
adapted, the ascocarps survive several months (temperate climate) up to 2-3
years (semidesert climate).
1. Substrate of xerotolerant fungi
2. History of apothecial growth and substrate decay