New species discovered in Swedish forest – a small parasite

A new species of fungus has been discovered in Swedish forests by researchers at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU). The fungus, which parasitizes lichens, was found during an inventory of forests in Sweden and Finland.

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It was great fun. We celebrated with sparkling wine.

Described as resembling small brown warts, the fungus possesses long, worm-like filaments, a characteristic that led researchers to suspect it was a new species. "It has filaments as long as earthworms. That is unusual, so we understood when we saw it that it could be something new," said Raul Vicente, an ecologist involved in the discovery.

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It has filaments as long as earthworms. That is unusual, so we understood when we saw it that it could be something new.

The fungus has been given the Latin name Epithamnolia lumbricispora, derived from the Latin word for earthworm. While the species has now been identified, scientists suggest it may have existed in Swedish forests for a long time, possibly waiting to be discovered.

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It may have existed for a long time in both Sweden and perhaps also in other parts of Europe and Asia. It has probably just been waiting to be discovered.

Researchers are optimistic about finding more fungal species in Sweden. "These species are poorly studied, so I believe there is enormous potential," Vicente added. The discovery is part of a larger finding of 24 new species.

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These species are poorly studied, so I believe there is enormous potential.