The Cladonia chlorophaea-C. fimbriata Complex in Western Washington

Abstract

Members of the Cladonia chlorophaea-C. fimbriata complex were collected in western Washington in the summer of 1979 to examine their secondary- product chemistry, morphology, and distribution. Eight chemotypes were identi- fied, including four that had not previously been reported from this region and one characterized by the production of4-O-methylcryptochlorophaeic acid as the major secondary product that is new. Specimens producing only fumarprotocetraric acid in this region could be separated into two groups on the basis of morphology. The first group was characterized by the production of granular soredia, short trumpet- shaped podetia, and compound apothecia, and was referred to C. chlorophaea sens. str. The second group had farinose soredia, goblet-shaped podetia with den- tate margins, and simple apothecia, and was referred to C. fimbriata (L.). These two species are the most abundant and widespread members of this complex in western Washington and were collected from all habitats from which collections were made. Most of the remaining chemotypes could also be divided into two groups according to chemistry, morphology, and distribution. Two chemotypes produced closely related fatty acids, rangiformic acid and protolichesterinic acid as their major secondary products and exhibited a close morphological affinity to C. fimbriata on the basis of their farinose soredia, podetial shape, and simple apothecia. In addition, these two chemotypes were collected more frequently from woody substrates and forested areas than the other members of this complex. Three of the chemotypes contained the closely related orcinol meta-depsides mer- ochlorophaeic acid, 4-O-methylcryptochlorophaeic acid and sekikaic acid as their major secondary products. These chemotypes had large trumpet-shaped podetia, granular to corticate soredia, and compound apothecia. Specimens of this group were collected predominately from open areas, especially the natural prairies that occur in southwestern Washington. In fact, the sekikaic acid chemotype is appar- ently restricted to these prairies in this part of its range. Excluded from these two groups are two remaining chemotypes that produce bourgeanic acid and atranorin, respectively.