brucemalloch's Identifications

Growing on dead, decorticated Pinus log, wood ID based on the presence of heavy Chlorociboria staining and Pinus in the area.
Fruiting bodies are 1mm in diameter at maximum, several smaller. Matte black and appearing reddish when mounted in plain water, carbonaceous texture, even after soaked.
Asci are 8 spored and clavate, possibly bitunicate?
Ascospores are brown, 2-septate, cylindrical to subfusciform. Measurements:
12-14 (16) x 3-4 Q=(3) 3.3-4 (4.7) N=20 Me=13.7 x 3.9 Qe=3.6
Photos 5-7 and 10 are stained with Lactophenol cotton blue.

• Found alive in collected Uloborus web.
• Length 0.43 mm (see image 5).
• Whether mite at rest or ambulating, Legs I are generally held vertically and/or continuously probing (same or similar as e.g. described for Linopodes). See Images 2-7.
• Dorsal aspect has ridged appearance; setae emerge from spiky protuberances.
• Images 1, 2, 4, 5, dorsal view.
• Image 3, ventral view.
• Images 6-8, dorsal view.
• Image 9, ventral view of chelicerae and pedipalps.
• Images 10 and 11, lateral views of pedipalps.
• Image 12, tarsal claw.
• Image 13, setae.

• Shaken from single leaf of cultivated Poinsettia.
• Length 0.19 mm (see image 14).
• In dorsal view, appearance suggests 'Mercury capsule' (particularly when the gnathosoma is tucked down). Base of the 'capsule' the anterior end of the mite.
• Images 1-9, dorsal view.
• Image 10, ventral view.
• Image 11, lateral view of pedipalp.
• Images 12 and 13, views of distal end of Leg I.
• video on Vimeo