R. trichophorus R. japonicus Racoleus is a genus of two species of lichen-forming fungi of uncertain familial placement in the order Capnodiales.

In this symbiotic relationship, individual Trentepohlia filaments are completely encased by fungal hyphae, which are the filament-like structures of the fungus.

The outer walls of these filaments are distinctive, with an undulating and irregularly corrugated texture, adorned with numerous spiny projections.

[3] The reported tropical localities of Racoleus trichophorus – Africa (Ivory Coast), Asia (China), and South America (Peru) – suggest that it could have a pantropical distribution.

It is often found growing on the thalli of whitish crustose lichens (including Dichosporidium brunnthaleri, D. nigrocinctum, and Pyrgillus indicus), but is not considered to be lichenicolous (lichen-dwelling), as the contact between them seems to be superficial.