Koituvasta

Koituvasta is a genus of fungi belonging to the family Sporormiaceae. These fungi are saprobic, meaning they obtain nutrients from dead organic matter, and are commonly found in soil and dung. The genus was first described by mycologist Franz Xaver von Höhnel in 1904.

Species within the genus Koituvasta are characterized by their dark, often ornamented, ascospores. These ascospores are typically muriform, meaning they are divided by both longitudinal and transverse septa, giving them a brick-like appearance. The ascocarps, which contain the spores, are usually perithecioid, a flask-shaped structure with a distinct ostiole.

Koituvasta species are known to occur in various terrestrial environments, particularly in regions with high humidity and abundant decaying organic material. They play a role in decomposition processes within these ecosystems. While some fungi are extensively studied for their ecological or economic importance, research specifically focused on the genus Koituvasta is relatively limited compared to more well-known fungal groups. Taxonomy and identification of Koituvasta species often rely on detailed microscopic examination of spore morphology.