Apothecial Margin Research Articles

New species of Sticta (lichenised Ascomycota, lobarioid Peltigeraceae) from Bolivia suggest a high level of endemism in the Central Andes.

Six species of Sticta are described as new to science on the basis of material from Bolivia and supported by phylogenetic analysis of the fungal ITS barcoding marker. The species were resolved in all three of the clades (I, II, III) widespread and common in the Neotropics, as defined in an earlier study on the genus. Comparison with material from neighbouring countries (i.e. Colombia, Ecuador, Peru) suggests that these new species may be potentially endemic to the Bolivian Yungas ecoregion. For each species, a detailed morphological and anatomical description is given. Stictaamboroensis Ossowska, Kukwa, B. Moncada & Lücking is a medium-sized green-algal species with laminal to submarginal apothecia with hirsute margins and with light to dark brown lower tomentum. Stictaaymara Ossowska, Kukwa, B. Moncada, Flakus, Rodriguez-Flakus & Lücking is a comparatively small cyanobacterial taxon with Nostoc as photobiont, laminal, richly branched, aggregate isidia and a golden to chocolate-brown lower tomentum. The medium-sized, cyanobacterial S.bicellulata Ossowska, Kukwa, B. Moncada & Lücking has cyanobacterial photobiont, bicellular ascospores, apothecia with white to golden-brown hairs on the margins, K+ violet apothecial margin (ring around disc) and epihymenium and a white to dark brown lower tomentum. In contrast, the green-algal species, S.carrascoensis Ossowska, Kukwa, B. Moncada & Lücking is characterised by its large size, apothecia with dark brown hairs on the margins and a yellow medulla. The cyanobacterial S.catharinae Ossowska, B. Moncada, Kukwa, Flakus, Rodriguez-Flakus & Lücking forms stipitate thalli with Nostoc as photobiont, abundant, laminal to submarginal apothecia and a golden-brown lower tomentum. Finally, the cyanobacterial S.pseudoimpressula Ossowska, Kukwa, B. Moncada & Lücking produces laminal apothecia with an orange-yellow line of pruina along the margins which reacts K+ carmine-red. In addition to the six new Bolivian taxa, the cyanobacterial S.narinioana B. Moncada, Ossowska & Lücking is described as new from Colombia and it represents the closely-related sister species of the Bolivian S.aymara; it differs from the latter largely in the marginal instead of laminal isidia.

Jejulea byssolomoides gen. et sp. nov., a Remarkable Pilocarpaceae (Lichen-Forming Ascomycetes) from Jeju Island, South Korea

The new genus and species, Jejulea byssolomoides, is described from Jeju Island, Korea. This lichen is characterized by saxicolous, crustose, pale greenish-gray, partly finely filamentous, matt, smooth thallus, prominent convex brown to dark brown ascomata with a concolorous margin constricted at the dark brown base, 300–800 μm diameter, 200–250 μm high, without a distinct proper margin, adhering to the substratum ending in a minute byssoid white external part of cylindrical cells, fusiform 3–5 septate ascospores (17–23 × 4–5 μm). Phylogenetic analyses using ITS and mtSSU sequences place Jejulea in the Pilocarpaceae (Lecanorales). The new taxon is closely related to Byssoloma, a cosmopolitan group of foliicolous lichens, which is most diverse in the tropics. Like Byssoloma, Jejulea also forms a byssoid apothecial margin.

Lecanora moniliformis sp. nov. from China

A new multispored Lecanora species from China is proposed as L. moniliformis, which is similar to L. japonica but differs by its crenate apothecial margin and the presence of psoromic acid. A detailed taxonomic description, ecological and chemical characters, and illustrations are provided for the new taxon, and a key to the multispored species of Lecanora is presented.

Towards an integrative taxonomy ofPhyllopsora(Ramalinaceae)

AbstractSpecies identification in the tropical lichen genusPhyllopsorais generally challenging and is based on ascospore morphology, vegetative dispersal units, thallus structure and secondary chemistry. As several type specimens are in poor condition and difficult to interpret, it is often unclear how these old names fit with the currently used taxonomy. In the present study, we aim to identify species boundaries inPhyllopsoras. str. supported by an integrative approach using multiple sources of evidence. We investigated a substantial amount of herbarium as well as freshly collected material and generated mtSSU and ITS sequence data from most of the described species, including several types. Species delimitation analyses are applied on the gene trees using mPTP and we construct a species tree of both markers with *BEAST, facilitating discussion of species delimitation and sister-relationships. Comparing morphology, chemistry and molecular data, we found that the mPTP analyses split established species repeatedly. Based on our integrative results, we exclude nine species from the genus, resurrect one (P. melanoglaucaZahlbr.), reduce two into synonymy with otherPhyllopsoraspecies and describe five as new to science:Phyllopsora amazonicaKistenich & Timdal (which shares the secondary chemistry (atranorin and terpenoid pattern) withP. haleichemotype 1, but differs, e.g., in having smaller areolae that are attached to a thinner, white prothallus, and in having more persistently marginate and less convex apothecia),Phyllopsora concinnaKistenich & Timdal (which shares the secondary chemistry (atranorin and parvifoliellin) withP. parvifoliellaandP. rappiana, but differs from both in forming larger isidia, having a white prothallus, apothecial margin paler than the disc, and longer and broader ascospores),Phyllopsora furfurellaKistenich & Timdal (which is here segregated fromP. furfuraceabased on having a white prothallus and in containing skyrin in the hypothecium (K+ red)),Phyllopsora isidosaKistenich & Timdal (which differs fromP. byssisedain forming a more crustose thallus with more delicate isidia, and fromP. isidiotylain forming somewhat coarser, less branched isidia) andPhyllopsora neotinicaKistenich & Timdal (a neotropical species here segregated from the now exclusively paleotropicalP. chodatinica, differing in containing an unknown xanthone (not chodatin)). Lectotypes are designated forBiatora pyrrhomelaenaTuck.,Lecidea leucophyllinaNyl.,L. pertextaNyl., andP. brachysporaMüll. Arg. In total, we accept 54 species in the genusPhyllopsora.

The phylogenetic position of species ofLecanoras. l. containing calycin and usnic acid, with the description ofLecanora solarisYakovchenko & Davydov sp. nov.

AbstractPhylogenetic reconstructions based on ITS/5.8S and mtSSU DNA sequence data suggest a close relationship between twoLecanoraspecies containing calycin and usnic acid and theLecanora polytropagroup.Lecanora solarisYakovchenko & Davydov sp. nov. is described from the Altai Mountains in Russia. Its gross morphology resembles that ofL. somervelliias both species have an effigurate, citrine-yellow thallus (due to the production of calycin). However,L. solarisis distinguished fromL. somervelliiby having a small, squamulose to marginally lobate umbilicate thallus and apothecia with a persistent margin, whereasL. somervelliihas a large, distinctly placodioid thallus and an apothecial margin that is soon excluded.

Ochrolechia incarnata comb. nov. (Lecanoromycetes, Ascomycota), a distinct species of the O. parella group from Europe and Macaronesia

Ochrolechia incarnata comb. nov. is reinstated from the synonymy of O. parella. This saxicolous species is morphologically very similar to O. parella, but differs from the latter phylogenetically and chemically in the production of olivetoric acid causing a C+ red reaction of the apothecial margin medulla. Ochrolechia incarnata is so far known from Europe (Ireland, Sweden) and Macaronesia (Canary Islands, Porto Santo). Notes on other saxicolous species with pruinose apothecia are provided, and the taxonomy of O. pallescens is shortly discussed.

Corticolous sorediateLecanoraspecies (Lecanoraceae, Ascomycota) containing atranorin in Europe

AbstractSixteen sorediate epiphytic species ofLecanorawith atranorin from Europe are reported here.Lecanora substerilisis described as a new species from Carpathian beech forests in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania and Ukraine; it belongs to theL.subfuscagroup in its strict sense and is characterized by its usually verrucose thallus, sorediate apothecial margin, epihymenium with coarse granules at paraphyses tips, amphithecium with large crystals and it produces atranorin and fatty acid(s). A new, yellow chemotype ofL. barkmanianacontaining pulvinic acid derivatives is recognized from Austria. Morphological, ecological and chemical variation inL. exspersa, L. farinariaandL.variolascensis discussed in detail, and brief comments on the remaining 11 species are provided. Evaluation of the type material and molecular data indicate that the predominantly saxicolousL. caesiosorais a sorediate form ofL. cenisia. Molecular data confirmed the identities of the sorediate forms ofL. albellaandL. allophanathat are conspecific with their fertile counterparts. New Central European localities are listed for the rare species,L. barkmaniana,L. exspersa,L. mughosphagneti,L. norvegicaandL. variolascens. Positions in ITS and mtSSU phylogenies are outlined for most species. Identification keys to fertile as well as sterile populations are provided.

Insights into the genus Austrella (Pannariaceae, Peltigerales), including a new species from the Falkland Islands

AbstractThe new species Austrella isidioidea, which is unique in the genus in having isidioid structures on the thallus lobe ends as well as apothecia lacking a thalline margin, is described from the Falkland Islands. A collection with an identical mtSSU rDNA sequence to A. arachnoidea but with significant morphological differences (viz. a variable apothecial margin ranging from an arachnoid hyphal weft to a corticated regular margin) is reported from Îles Kerguelen. The phylogenetic and biogeographical implications of these new records are discussed.

Two new records of the genus Lecanora Ach. from Argentina

Dos especies del genero Lecanora, L. albella (Pers.) Ach. y L. hypocrocina Nyl., son registradas por primera vez para laArgentina. Se presentan comentarios, ilustraciones y mapa de distribucion de las dos especies.

Orbilia laevimarginata sp. nov. and its asexual morph

O. laevimarginata is here described as a new species, and also its asexual morph could not be assigned to an existing taxon. Anamorphic strains were obtained from three teleomorph specimens which were collected at different sites and dates. The anamorph is characterized by cylindric-ellipsoid to oblong conidia, mainly 1-septate, growing either singly or mostly from 2–10 denticles in a capitate arrangement on the tip of conidiophores. These morphological characters are similar to those of the nematophagous anamorph genus Arthrobotrys, but the present isolates lack the ability to produce any trapping devices when contacting with nematodes. Phylogenetic analysis inferred from ITS rDNA sequences on different groups within Orbilia showed that the isolates of O. laevimarginata clustered together in a clade separate from Orbilia crenatomarginata (= Hyalinia crystallina). The two species are close to O. scolecospora and an undescribed species, which all have a crenulate to dentate apothecial margin composed of solid glassy processes. The group clustered distant from those species identified within the nematode-trapping anamorph genera Arthrobotrys, Dactylellina and Drechslerella, but also distant from the non-predacious anamorph genus Dactylella. By combining morphological and phylogenetic analysis, we conclude that the three isolates belong to a single undescribed holomorph species. The morphological differences among the three isolated anamorphic strains, and phylogenetic divergence of nematode-trapping fungi and related species are discussed.

Caloplaca allochroa (lichenized Ascomycetes), a new saxicolous lichen species from South Korea

The saxicolous lichen species, Caloplaca allochroa, is described as new from subtropical inland localities of Gangwon and Jeollanam Province (South Korea). It is characterized by occurring as two colour variants, yellowish and gray, based on presence vs. absence of anthraquinone pigments. Its colour contrast between brownish-red to brownishblack apothecial disc and yellowish-orange apothecial margin is very characteristic. Further diagnostic characters are a hymenium with numerous oil-drops and specific ecology. The species is related to Caloplaca flavorubescens and C. flavovirescens.

A new species of non-lichenized genus <I>Stictis</I> (<I>Ostropales</I>, <I>Lecanoromycetes</I>) from India

Abstract — Stictis subbrachyspora is described as new species from India. The new species is characterized by a non-lichenized habit; round, effigurate, chroodiscoid apothecia with white pruinose, lacerate margins, and transversely 19–32 loculate small ascospores measuring 45–55 × 4–5 µm. Stictis himalayanus is published as a new combination based on Chroodiscus himalayanus.Key words — Stictidaceae, corticolous, Ascomycota, Conotrema Introduction The family Stictidaceae (Ostropales, Lecanoromycetes, Ascomycota) accommodates a large group of lichenized and non-lichenized fungi. The species of the genus Stictis Pers. are perhaps the best known example of individuals representing the same fungal species having the ability to live either in a lichenized state (with algal symbionts) or as saprotrophs (non-lichenized), depending on the substrate (Wedin et al. 2004).Sherwood (1977a,b, 1979) provided a comprehensive account of c. 65 species and separated Stictis from allied genera based on the orbicular fruiting body opening by pores, periphysoids in an apothecial margin that extends down the whole length, a hymenium that splits away from the margin when dry, a thick crystalline layer in the ascoma margin and a non-parasitic niche. The ascospores exhibit variation in shape (cylindrical or filiform), size, and septation (with 3–300 septa). Stictis was segregated from the closely related Conotrema based on the lichenized living strategy and scattered crystals in apothecial margin of the latter (Gilenstam 1969, Sherwood 1977a). A phylogenetic account by Wedin et al. (2006) suggests that Stictis is paraphyletic and congeneric with

Bacidia rosellizans, a new lichen species from the taiga belt

AbstractBacidia rosellizansS. Ekman is described as new to science. Morphologically, the new species is similar to the type species of the genus,B. rosella(Pers.) De Not., particularly in the pale pink and pigment-deficient apothecia and in having the proper exciple and upper part of the hymenium inspersed with minute crystals that consist at least partly of atranorin.Bacidia rosellizans, however, differs in having a thin whitish thallus, smaller apothecia and a thinner apothecial margin, a dense layer of crystals along the excipular rim, shorter and narrower ascospores with fewer septa, and septate conidia. WhereasB. rosellais a species occurring in the nemoral zone of Europe and possibly northernmost Africa and parts of Asia (but not North America),B. rosellizansis found mainly onPopulusandSalixin taiga. This species is currently known from Sweden, Russia, Canada and the USA. It was erroneously treated asBacidia rosellain a monograph of North American corticolous species ofBacidiaandBacidinaby Ekman (inOpera Botanica127, 1996).

Byssoloma rubromarginatum (Pilocarpaceae: Ascomycota), a new corticolous species from Nothofagus forests in Argentina

A new corticolous species of Byssoloma, B. rubromarginatum Messuti and de la Rosa from Nothofagus dombeyi forests is described and illustrated. The new species is characterized by the morphology of the thallus and apothecia, the 3–5 (7)-septate ascospores, the presence of an anthraquinone in the exciple, and its ecology. It is the first species within the genus known to have gyrophoric acid in the apothecial margin. A key to Byssoloma species known from Nothofagus temperate forests in South America is provided.

Ciborinia gentianae sp. nov., the causal organism of sclerotial flower blight of cut-flower gentians

A new Ciborinia causing sclerotial flower blight of cut-flower gentians (Gentiana triflora var. japonica and interspecific hybrids between related species or varieties) is described as Ciborinia gentianae on the morphological basis of sclerotia and apothecia. The characteristics of Ciborinia gentianae are (1) an abundant production of spermodochia in the hollow cavity of host stems; (2) flat and thin sclerotia produced beneath the epidermis and the inclusion of host vascular remnants within their medulla; (3) globose cells composed of ectal excipulum of apothecia; (4) elongated cells with a slight apical swelling in ectal excipulum at the apothecial margin; and (5) tetra nucleate ascospores. Asci and ascospores mounted in Melzer's reagent measured 156-208×8-12μm and 11.8-15×5.5-7.1μm, respectively.

Taeniolella diederichiana, a new lichenicolous hyphomycete on Placopsis

The lichenicolous hyphomycete Taeniolella diederichiana Etayo & Calatayud, is described from the Andes (Colombia and Peru) and the Canary Islands. It grows on the thallus and apothecial margin of Placopsis. It is characterized by forming minute sporodochia over a basal group of polyhedral cells, and by its conidia with a verruculose to verrucose-striate wall.

The Lecanora varia Group in Spain: Species with Amphithecial Cortex

Lecanora burgaziae, a new epiphytic species, is described from central Spain. It belongs to the Lecanora varia group with amphithecial cortex, and is closely related to L. densa and L. varia by the presence of psoromic acid and a distinctly thickened amphithecial cortex. The major differences are in thallus color, apothecia appearance and shape, and spore size. Lecanora burgaziae has a green thallus and greenish to slightly brown apothecial disc. Additionally, it has a thin apothecial margin and average spore size interval that does not overlap with other species in the group. We also included the first report of Lecanora coniferarum, L. densa, and L. laxa in Europe. A synopsis of the species of Lecanora varia group with amphithecial cortex in Spain is presented. Descriptions, notes on the ecology and distribution, and a key to the 10 species recognized in Spain are included.

Scanning Electron Microscopy of Apothecia of Sclerotinia trifoliorum Erikss. and Related Species

AbstractThe technique of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to study the microanatomy of apothecia of Sclerotinia trifoliorum Erikss., S. sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary, and S. minor Jag., In the sterile tissue zones of apothecia, the only interspecific difference detected was that one in the structure of the apothecial margin of small‐ and large‐sclerotium Sclerotinia spp., The ectal excipulum, at the apothecial margin in S. minor appeared to be comprised of textura globulosa with globose cells. Whereas, in S. trifoliorum and S. sclerotiorum it appeared to be comprised of textura porrecta with prosenchymatous cells.The other interspecific difference reported in this paper is a dimorphism in spore size (ratio 4:4) in asci of S. trifoliorum. Otherwise, the microanatomy of ascocarps of S. trifoliorum and S. sclerotiorum was identical to that one of S. minor. Differences in the density of hyphae in the medullary excipulum in the apothecial disks of the three species studied were not detected. The presence of a membranous film over the hymenium of the ascocarp of S. trifoliorum or, any other species, as well as the bundlelike structure of the apothecial stipes in the studied species, as described in earlier reports, was also not found.

Lecanora argentea Oxner & Volkova, the Correct Name for L. fuliginosa Brodo, and Comments on Related Species

The type ofLecanora argentea is shown to be identical with L. fuliginosa. Consequently, the latter name is reduced to synonymy with L. argentea. The relationships of that species with other saxicolous species ofthe Lecanora subfusca group containing the gangaleoidin chemosyndrome are discussed briefly. L. vincentina is reduced to synonymy with L. sulphurescens. The Lecanora subfusca group forms the central part of the genus Lecanora and is characterized by the presence of atranorin, calcium oxalate crystals in the apothecial margin, ellipsoid to broadly ellipsoid spores, and generally reddish-brown disks (Brodo 1984; Eigler 1969). Some species in that group, however, differ in having dark-brown to blackish disks, superficially similar to Tephromela. Among those there is a small group of obviously closely related species, whose members grow on siliceous rocks and contain the gangaleoidin chemosyndrome in addition to atranorin and chloroatranorin. One species of that group, L. fuliginosa Brodo, was recently described from North America and tentatively from Japan (Brodo 1984). The occurrence in Japan was confirmed by Miyawaki (1988). While working on a revision of the Lecanora subfusca group, mainly in Australia, the author had the opportunity to study the type material of L. argentea, described from the Ural Mountains. This species was found to belong to the same species as L. fuliginosa. Consequently, L. fuliginosa is reduced to synonymy with L. argentea. A short description, based on Brodo (1984) but emended to include the type of L. argentea, is given below. LECANORA ARGENTEA Oxner & Volkova in Volkova, Novosti Sistematiki Nizshikh Rastenii 1966: 283.

Auriculora byssomorpha, a Tropical Lichen with a Remarkable Developmental Morphology*

AbstractThe thallus, pycnidia, and the structure and ontogeny of the ascocarp in Auriculora byssomorpha are described and illustrated. The ontogeny of the apothecia is characterized by the repeated formation of new hymenia within the subhymenial layer. The development of the first hymenium is gymnocarpous but the de novo differentiation of new hymenia, each beneath the next older disintegrating one, gives rise to a peculiar type of secondary hemiangiocarpy. Portions of the decaying hymenia and adjacent subhymenial tissue frequently remain fastened to the apothecial margin and disc in the shape of ear‐like appendages or as superimposed layers. In aged apothecia such decaying tissue may form a sheath around the apothecial margin and on the disc. The systematic position of the genus is briefly discussed.