Micarea termitophila is a species of lichen-forming fungus in the family Ectolechiaceae. It grows on the soil of termite nests in Brazil.
The lichen Micarea termitophila was formally described by the lichenologists André Aptroot and Marcela Cáceres in 2014. The holotype, collected from a black termite nest in Amazonas, Brazil, is preserved at the ISE herbarium (Federal University of Sergipe), with an isotype at ABL (University of Groningen).
The thallus of Micarea termitophila is and with a greenish hue, approximately 50 mm thick, and has a dull and roughened surface texture. The thallus houses algae, about 2âÂÂ4 mm in diameter, beneath a thin, hyaline cortex.The authors note that it somewhat resembles a crustose Stereocaulon in thallus form.
Apothecia (fruiting bodies) are , emerging between the thallus and often becoming prominent, measuring 0.2âÂÂ0.3 mm in diameter. They are typically round or , featuring a convex, dull, black . The hymenium is clear, ranging from 30 to 50 üm in height and turns violet when treated with potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution, especially noticeable in the upper parts. The is purplish-brown, turning orange-brown with KOH. This species produces 8-spored asci and , aseptate, hyaline ascospores measuring 7âÂÂ9 by 3.0âÂÂ3.5 üm. Pycnidia are found on the same thallus, often grouped separately, with black, conidia measuring about 4âÂÂ5 by 1 üm.
Chemical tests on the thallus, including UV light and various spot tests (C, K, KC, P), are negative, and no lichen products have been detected with thin-layer chromatography.
At the time of its original publication, Micarea termitophila was known only to occur only in its type locality in Brazil, where it grows on termite nests attached to trees within primary rainforests.