pseudothecioid

Pseudothecioid refers to a morphological characteristic found in certain fungi, particularly within the ascomycetes. It describes an ascocarp, the fruiting body containing asci, that resembles a pseudothecium in its overall structure and development, even if it is not taxonomically classified as such. A pseudothecium is a type of ascocarp characterized by the formation of asci within pre-formed cavities called locules, which develop within a stroma. These locules are typically ostiolate, meaning they possess a small opening.

In a pseudothecioid structure, the asci are often bitunicate, meaning they have a double wall. This feature is common in many fungi that produce pseudothecia, but the term pseudothecioid focuses on the external appearance and the arrangement of asci within locules. The stroma, the vegetative fungal tissue from which the ascocarp arises, plays a role in enclosing these locules. The development of these locules within the stroma is a key characteristic differentiating pseudothecioid structures from other ascocarp types, such as apothecia or perithecia. The term is often used descriptively when the exact taxonomic classification of the fungus is uncertain or when discussing evolutionary relationships between fungal groups.