Aspilidea | |
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Aspilidea myrinii | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Fungi |
Division: | Ascomycota |
Class: | Lecanoromycetes |
Subclass: | Ostropomycetidae |
Genus: | Aspilidea Hafellner (2001) |
Species: | A. myrinii |
Binomial name | |
Aspilidea myrinii (Fr.) Hafellner (2001) | |
Synonyms [1] | |
Aspilidea is a fungal genus of uncertain familial placement in the subclass Ostropomycetidae. [2] [3] It contains the single species Aspilidea myrinii, a saxicolous (rock-dwelling) crustose lichen with a circumpolar distribution.
The species Aspilidea myrinii was first formally described by Elias Magnus Fries, who classified it as member of the genus Parmelia . Josef Hafellner transferred it to the newly circumscribed genus Aspilidea in 2001. The genus name is a combination of Aspicilia and Lecidea , reflecting the species' mix of characteristics that are reminiscent of both genera. [4]
Aspilidea myrinii can be distinguished from species in the genus Aspicilia by several characteristics. When tested with iodine, the inner layer (medulla) of A. myrinii's thallus shows a pale violet colour, which is not seen in Aspicilia. The reproductive layer (hymenium) of A. myrinii turns blue when treated with iodine, while in Aspicilia, this reaction is less intense. There are also subtle differences in the structure of the spore-producing sacs (asci). A. myrinii has distinctive structures for asexual reproduction (pycnidia) with specific types of spore-producing cells (conidiophores). Additionally, A. myrinii hosts a different set of fungi that grow on lichens (lichenicolous fungi) compared to those found on Aspicilia species. [4]
Aspilidea myrinii has a crustose thallus, which forms a crust-like layer that adheres closely to the surface it grows on (episubstratic). The thallus is composed of small, irregularly shaped sections ( areolate ) and is bordered by a dark prothallus , which is a preliminary growth that outlines the main body of the lichen. The thallus has a cortex , or outer layer, made up of elongated fungal cells arranged in a tightly packed manner ( paraplectenchymatous ). Sometimes, this layer is covered by a thin epinecral layer , which consists of dead or dying cells. Beneath the cortex is the medulla, a white layer that turns pale blue when exposed to iodine. [5]
The apothecia (fruiting bodies) are cryptolecanorine - aspicilioid in form, meaning they have a black disc at the centre with a poorly developed thalline rim —essentially a faint, indistinct border derived from the thallus. The proper exciple , which is the outer layer of the apothecium, is also poorly developed. It appears brownish-black on the outside but is colourless on the inside. The uppermost layer of the apothecium ( epithecium ) ranges in colour from olive-green to green-black. [5]
The hymenium, the spore-producing layer within the apothecium, is colourless and reacts to iodine by turning blue (euamyloid, I+ blue). The hymenium contains paraphyses, which are filament-like structures that can be either simple or branched and tend to intertwine in the upper part. The tips of these paraphyses are either not swollen or only slightly enlarged. Beneath the hymenium lies the hypothecium , which can be colourless or pale yellow. [5]
The asci, which are the cells that produce spores, typically contain eight spores and are club-shaped ( clavate ). They are thickened at the apex and show a faint blue reaction in the lower outer part when treated with iodine. The ascospores themselves are one-celled, colourless (hyaline), broadly ellipsoid in shape, and do not react with iodine (I-). [5]
Aspilidea also has pycnidia, which are tiny, flask-shaped structures involved in asexual reproduction. These are embedded in the thallus, with the upper part of the pycnidium wall being green-black and the rest colourless. The conidia, or asexual spores, are short and rod-shaped (bacilliform). [5]
The lichen's photobiont, or photosynthetic partner, is a chlorococcoid green alga . Chemically, Aspilidea produces norstictic and connorstictic acids, compounds commonly found in some lichen species. [5]
Aspilidea myrinii is a lichen species that primarily inhabits cold, mountainous regions around the world. It is commonly found in arctic and alpine areas, particularly in locations close to or above the tree line. This species prefers to grow on specific types of rocks, favouring crystalline schists and acidic, silica-rich stone surfaces. [6]
Psora is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Psoraceae. Members of the genus are commonly called fishscale lichens. Lichens in the genus Psora generally have a squamulose thallus and anthraquinones in the hymenium. Photobiont partners of Psora lichens include members of the green algal genera Asterochloris, Chloroidium, Myrmecia, and Trebouxia.
Lithoglypha is a fungal genus in the family Acarosporaceae. It is monotypic, containing the single species Lithoglypha aggregata, a saxicolous (rock-dwelling), crustose lichen found in South Africa.
Porina is a genus of crustose lichens in the family Trichotheliaceae. As of August 2024, Species Fungorum accepts 161 species of Porina.
Diploschistes is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Graphidaceae. Commonly known as crater lichens, members of the genus are crustose lichens with a thick, cracked (areolate) body (thallus) with worldwide distribution. The fruiting part (apothecia) are immersed in the thick thallus so as to have the appearance of being small "craters". The widespread genus contains about 43 species.
Buellia is a genus of mostly lichen-forming fungi in the family Caliciaceae. The fungi are usually part of a crustose lichen. In this case, the lichen species is given the same name as the fungus. But members may also grow as parasites on lichens (lichenicolous). The algae in the lichen is always a member of the genus Trebouxia.
Immersaria is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Lecideaceae. It has eight species of crustose lichens.
Megaspora is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Megasporaceae. It contains four species of crustose lichens that typically grow on soil, bryophytes, or plant litter on chalky substrates.
The Tephromelataceae are a family of lichenized fungi in the order Lecanorales. The family was circumscribed by Austrian lichenologist Josef Hafellner in 1984. Tephromelataceae comprises the genera Tephromela, Calvitimela, Mycoblastus and Violella, which together constitute a well-supported monophyletic group.
Teuvoa is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Megasporaceae. It was first classified by lichenologists Mohammad Sohrabi and Steven Leavitt in 2013, with Teuvoa uxoris assigned as the type species. This genus was delineated from the larger genus, Aspicilia, following a molecular phylogenetic analysis which revealed that the Aspicilia uxoris species group constituted a distinct lineage in the Megasporaceae. Initially containing three species, two additional species native to China were added in 2018. Teuvoa is characterised by its small ascospores and conidia, and the absence of secondary metabolites.
Lathagrium is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Collemataceae. It has 10 species of gelatinous lichens. Species in this genus typically grow on calcareous rocks, often amidst mosses, but can also be found on siliceous or serpentine rocks, mortar, or soil.
Baidera is a single-species fungal genus in the family Roccellaceae. It contains the species Baidera mauritiana, a corticolous (bark-dwelling), crustose lichen found in Mauritius. Both the genus and species were described as new to science in 2020 by Paul Diederich and Damien Ernst. The genus name honours Cláudia Baider, curator of the Mauritius Herbarium.
Protothelenella is a genus of fungi in the family Protothelenellaceae. It contains 11 species, some of which form lichens. Protothelenella species have a crustose thallus with spherical to pear-shaped, dark brown to blackish perithecia. Microscopic characteristics of the genus include bitunicate asci with an amyloid tholus, and ascospores that are colourless and contain multiple internal partitions. Some species grow on acidic substrates including rocks, soil, bryophytes, plant detritus or rotten wood. Other species are lichenicolous (lichen-dwelling), growing on species of Solorina, Peltigera, Pseudocyphellaria, or Cladonia.
Lecidea lygommella is a species of saxicolous (rock-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Lecideaceae. It spreads up to 7 cm wide with a thin thallus varying in colour from whitish and pale grey to rusty red-brown, featuring areolate surfaces with irregularly shaped areoles. Its fruiting bodies range from slightly embedded to sitting atop the thallus and black, flat to slightly convex apothecial discs. Unlike its lookalike Lecidea lygomma, L. lygommella does not produce any secondary chemicals. It is found in New South Wales and Victoria, Australia, where it grows on rocks in alpine areas.
Amandinea pilbarensis is a little-known species of crustose lichen in the family Physciaceae, First described in 2020, it is found in Australia. It is similar to Amandinea polyxanthonica, but can be distinguished by its smaller ascospores and the presence of calcium oxalate and thiophanic acid in the medulla.
Glaucomaria carpinea is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Lecanoraceae. It is a widely distributed species.
Myochroidea is a genus of lichen-forming fungi of uncertain familial placement in the order Lecanorales. It has four species of grey or brown-grey crustose lichens.
Puttea is a genus of lichen-forming fungi with uncertain familial placement in the order Lecanorales. The genus comprises four species. Finnish lichenologists Soili Stenroos and Seppo Huhtinen established the genus Puttea in 2009 for the lichen species formerly known as Lecidea margaritella, which has undergone various reclassifications. Molecular phylogenetics analyses have shown that Puttea margaritella does not align closely with genera like Fellhanera or Micarea, but its precise familial placement remains uncertain. Puttea is characterized by an indistinct, lichenized thallus composed of delicate fungal filaments and small algal cells. Its minute, round, whitish apothecia lack a distinct margin, and the asci, or spore-producing cells, are thick-walled, club-shaped, and contain eight spores, showing specific reactions with iodine-based stains. The type species of the genus, Puttea margaritella, typically inhabits boreal forests, growing on the liverwort species Ptilidium pulcherrimum and sometimes on decaying wood or bark. Initially thought to be confined to Europe, it has since been found in North America, particularly in Alaska and Québec, extending its known range. The species is parasitic, damaging its host, and is considered rare within its distribution.
Aspiciliella is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Megasporaceae. It has four species. The genus is characterised by its crustose, rimose-areolate thallus that is partially continuous and has a K+ (red) reaction. The epihymenium is typically green to olive-green and turns light green when treated with N. Aspiciliella has eight-spored asci of the Aspicilia-type, containing ellipsoid, colourless, and simple ascospores.
Austroparmeliella is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Pannariaceae. It consists of five species, all of which are found in the Southern Hemisphere.
Meridianelia is a fungal genus in the family Elixiaceae. It consists of the single species Meridianelia maccarthyana, a corticolous (bark-dwelling), crustose lichen. This lichen forms greyish-white, crust-like growths on tree bark in subalpine woodlands of Tasmania, Australia. Discovered in 2003 and scientifically described in 2009, Meridianelia is classified in the small fungal family Elixiaceae based on its genetic and structural characteristics. The genus is notable for its unique reproductive structures and its apparent rarity, having been found in only a few locations despite growing in a relatively common type of forest.