Species Of Graphidaceae Research Articles

Trimmatostroma commonii, a new lichenicolous hyphomycete inhabiting Graphidaceae hosts


 
 
 The new lichenicolous hyphomycete Trimmatostroma commonii is described from Réunion, the USA (Florida) and Vietnam. It strongly resembles the generic type T. salicis, from which it is distinguished by much looser conidiomatal tufts, less septate conidia and the lichenicolous habitat, growing over species of Graphidaceae in the tropics.
 
 

The new genus Jocatoa (Lecanoromycetes: Graphidaceae) and new insights into subfamily Redonographoideae

One new genus and two new species of Graphidaceae are described from tropical dry forests of Mexico, based on morphological and molecular data of the mtSSU, nuLSU and ITS markers. The new genus Jocatoa in subfamily Graphidoideae is described to accommodate the species Graphis agminalis (syn.: Medusulina texana), previously known from Colombia and North America. The new genus resembles Diorygma but differs by having simple paraphyses tips that do not form an epithecium. Jocatoa agminalis is similar to Diorygma monophorum but differs by having larger ascospores, hypostictic and stictic acids and by the type of paraphysis tips. In subfamily Redonographoideae, the two new species Gymnographopsis corticicola and Redonographa parvispora are described, representing the first corticolous species in the subfamily. Gymnographopsis corticicola is characterized by the smallest spores in the genus, the presence of norstictic acid, and a rectangular perispore that appears to be a newly recognized character state in fungi. Redonographa parvispora is characterized by warty periphysoids, small ascospores with 3 transverse septa, and norstictic acid. It also frequently develops a rectangular perispore. We present a phylogenetic analysis, based on the markers mtSSU, nuLSU and RPB2, that includes all the genera in the family Graphidaceae, with available sequences, to accommodate the new genus and to validate for the first time the position of Gymnographopsis. Diagnostic anatomical and ecological characters are discussed for Redonographoideae. Gymnographopsis is newly reported to the Northern Hemisphere.

Going extinct before being discovered? New lichen fungi from a small fragment of the vanishing Atlantic Rainforest in Brazil

Abstract In the frame of an ongoing lichen inventory of Atlantic Rainforest remnants in Northeast Brazil, five new species of Graphidaceae were discovered in a small forest fragment, Mata do Cipó, in Sergipe state, the smallest state of Brazil and among those with the highest deforestation rate in the country. An additional new species had already been collected in Panama before and was now also found in the Mata do Cipó and is described here as well. In total, 40 species of Graphidaceae are reported for this remnant, including a large number of taxa indicative of well-preserved rainforest. The new species are: Fissurina atlantica T.A. Pereira, M. Cáceres & Lücking, sp. nov., Graphis subaltamirensis Passos, M. Cáceres & Lücking, sp. nov., Ocellularia cipoensis L.A. Santos, M. Cáceres & Lücking, sp. nov., O. sosma T.A. Pereira, M. Cáceres & Lücking, sp. nov., O. submordenii Lücking, sp. nov. (also known from Panama), and Pseudochapsa aptrootiana M. Cáceres, T.A. Pereira & Lücking, sp. nov. The findings are discussed in the context of the strong fragmentation of the Atlantic Rainforest, with individual remnants apparently serving as refugia for residual populations of rare species of lichen fungi that were more widely distributed in the past, but currently seem to occur only in isolated fragments.

Three new species of Graphidaceae (lichenized Ascomycota) from the semi-arid region of northeast Brazil

Three new lichenized fungal species in the family Graphidaceae are described from Northeast Brazil. Graphis alba has lirellae with a conspicuous white cover, eventually becoming striate, small, (sub-)muriform ascospores, and stictic acid. Halegrapha redonographoides features somewhat pseudostromatic ascomata with immersed lirellae, a completely carbonized excipulum, and small, submuriform ascospores, in combination with a norstictic acid chemistry. Thelotrema pachysporoides has an ecorticate, white thallus and produces brown, 7–13-septate, 25–35 × 7–10 µm large ascospores. The new species were found in an isolated remnant of Caatinga vegetation, at Fazenda Santa Maria da Lage, Poço Verde, Sergipe state, with additional material of one of the species also detected in the state of Tocantins.

Three new species of Graphidaceae (Ostropales, Ascomycota) from Atlantic Forest in Northeast Brazil

Three species of Graphidaceae are here described as new to science, based on material found in the Reserva Biológica Guaribas and Área de Proteção Ambiental da Barra do Rio Mamanguape, in Paraíba State, Northeastern Brazil. Astrochapsa submuralis E.L. Lima, Lücking & M. Cáceres, with thickly pruinose ascomata and small submuriform ascospores, Chapsa angustispora E.L. Lima, Lücking & M. Cáceres, with a combination of inspersed hymenium and comparatively narrow muriform ascospores, and Graphis cilindrospora E.L. Lima, Lücking & M. Cáceres, with very large and narrow muriform, brownish ascospores. These findings underline the importance of the northern Atlantic rain forest, including the poorly studied Restinga vegetation, for the continuous discovery of new lichen taxa.

One hundred and seventy-five new species of Graphidaceae: closing the gap or a drop in the bucket?

Recent studies of the global diversity of the lichenized fungal family Graphidaceae suggest that there are a large number of species remaining to be discovered. No less than 640 species have been described since 2002, including 175 new species introduced in a collaborative global effort in a single issue in this journal. These findings suggest that the largest family of tropical crustose lichens may have an even higher number of species than Parmeliaceae. To estimate whether the discovery of 175 new species is a significant step forward in cataloguing extant diversity in this family, we employed a parametric method to predict global species richness of Graphidaceae using a GIS-based grid map approach. The model employs linear regression between observed species richness and sample score and vegetation composition per grid to predict individual grid species richness, and interpolation of species grid distributions to predict global species richness. We also applied a non-parametric species-area curve approach and non-parametric species richness estimators (Chao, Jackknife, Bootstrap) to compare the results from the different methods. Our approach resulted in a prediction of 4,330 species of Graphidaceae, including approximately 3,500 (sub-)tropical species in the core subfamilies Fissurinoideae, Graphidoideae, Redonographoideae, plus 125 species restricted to extratropical regions (outside the zone between 30° northern and 30° southern latitude) and 700 species in subfamily Gomphilloideae. Currently, nearly 2,500 species are known in the family, including species not yet formally described. Thus, our model suggests that even after describing 175 species in this issue and with another approximately 140 awaiting publication, the number of species still to be discovered and described is more than 1,800, and much work remains to be done to close this substantial gap. Based on our approach, we predict that most of this undiscovered diversity is to be found in Mexico, the northern Andean region, the eastern Amazon and central and southern Brazil, tropical West Africa, continental Southeast Asia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea.

Three new species of Graphidaceae from tropical Africa

Three new species of Graphidaceae are described as new to science from tropical Africa: Graphis aptrootiana Van den Broeck, Lücking & Ertz and Redingeria desseiniana Van den Broeck, Lücking & Ertz from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and G. vandenboomiana Ertz, Lücking & Van den Broeck from Reunion. A key is presented to all known species of Redingeria. The lichenicolous fungus Etayoa trypethelii is mentioned as new to Central Africa.

Seven new species of Graphidaceae (Lichenized Ascomycetes) from the Coastal Plain of southeastern North America

Seven new species of Graphidaceae are described from the Coastal Plain of southeastern North America: Acanthothecis floridana (Florida, USA), A. leucoxanthoides (North Carolina, USA), A. paucispora (North Carolina, USA), Fissurina alligatorensis (Florida and North Carolina, USA), F. americana (Florida and Georgia, USA), F. ilicicola (Florida and Georgia, USA), and Phaeographis oricola (North Carolina, USA). The ecology and distribution of each species is discussed in the broader context of the imminent need for effective conservation and management strategies to maintain the lichen biodiversity in the region. Color illustrations of all species are provided, as are keys to the genera Acanthothecis and Fissurina in North America north of Mexico.

Two new genera and twelve new species of Graphidaceae from Puerto Rico: a case for higher endemism of lichenized fungi in islands of the Caribbean?

Two new genera and twelve new species of Graphidaceae are described from Puerto Rico. The two new genera, Borinquenotrema and Paratopeliopsis, are based on a combination of molecular sequence data and phenotype characters. Borinquenotrema, with the single new species B. soredicarpum, features rounded ascomata developing beneath and persistently covered with soralia and with an internal anatomy reminescent of Carbacanthographis; it is close to the tribe Ocellularieae. Paratopeliopsis, including the single new species P. caraibica, resembles a miniature Topeliopsis but differs in the distinctly farinose thallus and the small, brown ascospores; it is not closely related to the latter genus but belongs in tribe Thelotremateae. The other ten new species belong in the genera Acanthotrema, Clandestinotrema, Compositrema, Fissurina, Ocellularia, and Thalloloma. Acanthotrema alboisidiatum is closely related to A. brasilianum but differs in the short, white isidia resembling insect eggs. Clandestinotrema portoricense has a unique ascospore type with a longitudinal septum only in the proximal cell. Compositrema borinquense resembles a species of Stegobolus but belongs in Compositrema based on sequence data, and is characterized by ascomata with a unique columella composed of thick, irregularly radiating strands. The second new species in this genus, C. isidiofarinosum, differs by its ecorticate, farinose thallus with scattered, corticate isidia and by its small ascomata with inconspicuous columella. The three new species of Fissurina all have 3-septate ascospores and are otherwise characterized by an isidiate thallus and stellate, orange-yellow lirellae (F. aurantiacostellata), a verrucose thallus strongly encrusted with calcium oxalate crystals and white, irregularly branched lirellae (F. crystallifera), and myriotremoid ascomata arranged in short lines (F. monilifera). Ocellularia portoricensis belongs in the core group of Ocellularia and differs from O. cavata in the white medulla and the larger ascospores becoming brown, whereas O. vulcanisorediata produces prominent soralia and immersed ascomata with apically carbonized excipulum and columella and small, transversely septate, hyaline ascospores; it is closely related to O. conformalis. Finally, Thalloloma rubromarginatum resembles T. haemographum in the brownish lirellae with bright red margin but differs from that and other species in the corticate thallus and the norstictic acid chemistry. The new combination Ampliotrema rimosum (Hale) Mercado-Díaz, Lücking & Parnmen is also proposed. Considering the current biodiversity knowledge on this family, the high level of endemism observed in other groups of organisms in the island, and the relatively high number of Graphidaceae described, it is highly likely that at least some of these new taxa are endemic to the island. This view is further supported by the unique features of several of the new species, representing novel characters in the corresponding genera.

New fertile isidiate Graphidaceae from the Solomon Islands

Two new species of Graphidaceae are described from the Solomon Islands. Fissurina longiisidiata occurs on tree bark in lowland forests and is characterized by the presence of long cylindrical, glossy green isidia and 3-septate ascospores. Pseudoramonia isidiata occurs on dead leaves in mountain forest and is characterized by the presence of gnarled, somewhat tapering, whitish grey isidia and 7-septate, somewhat clavate ascospores.

New species of Graphidaceae from Loei Province, Thailand

Twelve new species of the lichen family Graphidaceae are described from NE Thailand, namely Fissurina niveoalba, with warty paraphyses tips, muriform ascospores and the lack of secondary lichen substances; F. phuluangii, with 2–8 muriform ascopores and the production of stictic and hypostictic acids; Graphis subdussii, distinguished by unbranched, straight ascomata with entire labia, a completely carbonized exciple and transversely septate, up to 170 µm long ascospores; G. subinsulana, with conspicuous, prominent ascomata, a laterally carbonized exciple, single, muriform ascospores and norstictic acid; Leiorreuma hypomelaenoides, which differs from L. hypomelaenum by the absence of hypostictic acid; Phaeographis caesiodiscoides, distinguished by radiately branched immersed to erumpent ascomata with uncarbonized exciple and muriform, brown ascospores; P. loeiensis with numerous irregularly branched, clustered ascomata, with an uncarbonized exciple and 8–11-septate brown, transversely septate ascospores; P. neotricosoides which differs from P. neotricosa by the lack of neotricone, instead producing stictic acid; P. phurueaensis, distinguished by a clear hymenium, 5–7-septate, dark-brown ascospores and especially by producing stictic and norstictic acids, both as major metabolites; P. schizolomoides, distinguished by conspicuous prominent ascomata with a white-pruinose disc surrounded by a whitish thalline margin, and brown, submuriform ascospores; P. siamensis, which is separated from P. brasiliensis by the production of stictic acid and small, 3-septate ascospores; and Platygramme subarechavaletae, which is distinguished by inconspicuous ascomata with a concealed disc, an apically to laterally carbonized exciple and submuriform ascospores.

New species of Graphidaceae from the Neotropics and Southeast Asia

Descriptions and illustrations are provided for 20 new species in the family Graphidaceae (lichenized fungi) originating from El Salvador, the Guianas, Venezuela, Colombia, and Malaysia: Acanthothecis adjuncta Welz & Sipman, differing from all other Acanthothecis species by the rounded ascocarps with covered discs; Astrochapsa albella Sipman, differing from A. meridensis in the white apothecium rim, the corticolous growth habit, the more or less clear hymenium, and the protocetraric acid chemistry; A. columnaris Sipman, differing from other Astrochapsa species by the columnar marginal slips; Chapsa francisci Sipman, differing from other Chapsa species by the numerous marginal lacinae; C. nubila Sipman, differing from other Chapsa species by the combination of a guttulate hymenium and 4- to 8-spored asci; Diorygma extensum Sipman, differing from D. minisporum in producing norstictic acid instead of stictic acid; Fissurina chapsoides Sipman, a Fissurina species with large, muriform ascospores and short ascocarps opening mostly by branched slits; F. gigas Sipman, differing from F. rufula in the larger ascomata and muriform ascospores; F. vorax Sipman, differing from other Fissurina species by the aggregated ascocarps in combination with papillose paraphysis tips; Graphis murali-elegans Sipman, differing from G. elegans and G. lumbricina in the muriform ascospores; G. nigroglobosa Sipman, differing from G. mexicana in the absence of a complete thalline margin; Melanotrema comosum Sipman, a species of Melanotrema with extruding, clavate, brown hyphae on columella and excipulum; Myriochapsa annulata Sipman, differing from M. psoromica by the conspicuous, free excipulum; M. chocoensis Sipman, differing from M. psoromica in the smaller ascospores; Ocellularia pitalensis Sipman, differing from O. maxima by producing hypoprotocetraric acid; O. rugosa Sipman, similar to O. zamorana but with wider ostioles and 1-septate, pigmented ascospores with thick-walled juvenile stage; Thelotrema berendsohnii Sipman, similar to T. alboolivaceum, from which it differs by submuriform ascospores; T. kinabaluense Sipman, differing from other Thelotrema species by small, brown ascospores and protocetraric acid; T. paludosum Sipman, differing from other Thelotrema species by an inspersed hymenium, hypoprotocetraric acid and colorless, transversely septate ascospores of c. 30 × 7 µm; and T. parvisporum Sipman, differing from T. adjectum in the small, grey-brown ascospores.

New species of Graphidaceae from Zhejiang Province, China

Four species of the lichen family Graphidaceae from Zhejiang Province, China, are described as new, namely Fissurina baishanzuensis, with hemithecioid ascomata, an entire, dark orange brown exciple and broadly ellipsoid muriform ascospores; F. subundulata, distinguished by hemithecioid ascomata, an entire, dark orange brown exciple and ellipsoid, muriform ascospores which are distinctly larger than in F. baishanzuensis; Graphis jinhuana, distinguished by mostly unbranched erumpent ascomata with a lateral thalline margin, open, non-pruinose discs, a laterally carbonized exciple, 7–9-septate ascospores and producing norstictic acid; and Graphis pananensis with irregularly branched ascomata with a lateral thalline margin, a concealed disc, a completely carbonized exciple, 7–9-septate ascospores and without secondary chemistry.

Six new species of Graphidaceae from Sri Lanka

Abstract Six new species of Graphidaceae are described from Sri Lanka, four in Graphis sensu Staiger and one each in Fissurina and Thelotrema. Fissurina srilankensis Weerakoon, Wijeyaratne & Lucking is characterized by lirellae with well-developed labia and comparatively large, muriform ascospores. Graphis allugallenensis Weerakoon, Wijeyaratne & Lucking is similar to G. vittata but has a distinctly verrucose thalline margin along the lirellae. Graphis dotalugalensis Weerakoon, Wijeyaratne & Rivas Plata resembles G. proserpens in the exposed lirellae with striate labia and apically carbonized excipulum but differs in the comparatively large ascospores. Graphis knucklensis Weerakoon, Wijeyaratne & Wolseley features lirellae with striate labia, an inspersed hymenium, and norstictic acid as secondary compound. Graphis srilankensis Weerakoon, Wijeyaratne & Lumbsch has entire labia with a completely carbonized excipulum, inspersed hymenium, transversely septate ascospores, and produces norstictic acid. Finally...