Trypetheliopsis

Trypetheliopsis is a genus of fungi in the family Trypetheliaceae. This genus was first described in 1926 by Hans Sydow and Petra Ramlow. Species within Trypetheliopsis are lichenized fungi, meaning they form a symbiotic relationship with algae or cyanobacteria. The thallus, which is the vegetative body of the lichen, is typically crustose, adhering closely to the substrate.

The ascocarps, or fruiting bodies, of Trypetheliopsis are usually immersed within the thallus, appearing as small, dark spots. These ascocarps contain the asci, which are sac-like structures that produce the spores. The spores are typically hyaline (clear) and elongated.

Trypetheliopsis species are found in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. They commonly grow on bark and wood, and occasionally on rock. The exact ecological roles and distribution patterns of many Trypetheliopsis species are still under investigation. Further research is needed to fully understand the diversity and phylogeny of this genus. Current classification places it within the order Trypetheliales, which is characterized by its members having pseudothecia (fruiting bodies that develop within a stroma) and often a carbonaceous excipulum.