Rinodina brauniana (Physciaceae, Teloschistales), a new species with pseudoisidia from the southern Appalachian Mountains of eastern North America

Abstract

Rinodina brauniana is described as new to science from collections made throughout the southern Appalachian Mountains in the eastern United States (Alabama, North Carolina and Tennessee). It appears to be widespread on corticolous substrates in deciduous forests throughout the region, occurring at sites spanning an elevation gradient of 285–1585 meters. The species differs from R. colobinoides in its pseudoisidiate, rather than blastidiate thallus. Ultrastructural studies of the pseudoisidia in R. brauniana demonstrated that they are apically ecorticate and thus unlike vegetative reproductive structures in other Rinodina species. Although rare, apothecia were located and ascospores were found to have an unusual type-B development that is most similar to Pachysporaria-type II. The new species honors E. Lucy Braun, pioneering American field biologist and champion of temperate eastern North American forests.