Abstract
AbstractGibbosporina cyanea is described here as new to science, based on its holotype collected in Sri Lanka in the 1860s. The species is a bipartite cyanolichen in contrast to all other known Gibbosporina species, which are tripartites. The species appears to have evolved through cephalodia emancipation followed by divergence. Phyllidia indicate a cephalodiate evolutionary origin with a continued function similar to vegetative propagules. The species is considered to represent a relatively young speciation within an evolutionary old genus and G. sphaerospora is discussed as a possible candidate for being its closest known relative based on spore morphology. As the species appears to be so different from the remaining Gibbosporina species, it is compared here to representatives of other related palaeotropical cyanogenera, such as Leightoniella, Lepidocollema, Pannaria and Physma. Perispore structure is shown to be a useful character in separating these genera, including distinct clades of the non-monophyletic genera Physma and Lepidocollema. Leightoniella zeylanensis is reported here as new to Japan, and it is concluded that Pannaria lurida needs to be restudied in India and Sri Lanka.
Highlights
The genus Gibbosporina was described by Elvebakk et al (2016), comprising 13 species distributed through palaeotropical areas from Réunion, Mauritius and Sri Lanka eastwards to islands in the western part of the Pacific
The aim of the present paper is to describe this collection as a new species
The marginal phyllidia look quite similar to the cephalodia of other Gibbosporina species in being pale and bluish grey-brown, contrasting the uniform, brown colour of the main thallus (Figs 1B & 2D)
Summary
The genus Gibbosporina was described by Elvebakk et al (2016), comprising 13 species distributed through palaeotropical areas from Réunion, Mauritius and Sri Lanka eastwards to islands in the western part of the Pacific. Resembling tripartite austral Pannaria species, Gibbosporina clearly belongs in a clade with genera such as Physma, Leightoniella and Lepidocollema, as shown in phylograms by Elvebakk et al (2016) and Weerakoon et al (2018), and by Magain & Sérusiaux (2014), prior to the description of the new genus. Elvebakk et al (2016) showed good molecular support for seven of the new species Resembling tripartite austral Pannaria species, Gibbosporina clearly belongs in a clade with genera such as Physma, Leightoniella and Lepidocollema, as shown in phylograms by Elvebakk et al (2016) and Weerakoon et al (2018), and by Magain & Sérusiaux (2014), prior to the description of the new genus. Elvebakk et al (2016) showed good molecular support for seven of the new species
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
