| Astrothelium macrostomum | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Ascomycota |
| Class: | Dothideomycetes |
| Order: | Trypetheliales |
| Family: | Trypetheliaceae |
| Genus: | Astrothelium |
| Species: | A. macrostomum |
| Binomial name | |
| Astrothelium macrostomum Aptroot (2016) | |
Astrothelium macrostomum is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Trypetheliaceae. [1] It is found in Brazil, Guyana, and Venezuela.
The species was formally described as new to science in 2016 by the Dutch lichenologist André Aptroot. The type collection was made by Harrie Sipman in Parque Natural do Caraça , Minas Gerais, Brazil, on 16 September 1997.
The thallus of Astrothelium macrostomum is corticate , smooth, somewhat shiny, and continuous, covering areas up to 7 cm in diameter and less than 0.1 mm thick. It appears olive-green to olive-grey, typically lacking a prothallus , and induces gall formation on the host bark, causing the lower bark or cambium layer to swell and erupt through the upper bark. [2]
Ascomata are pyriform (pear-chaped), about 0.6–1.2 mm in diameter, usually aggregated in groups of 2–5, and mostly immersed in the bark tissue. The wall is carbonised , up to approximately 80 μm thick. Ostioles are eccentric and fused, with a flat, white- pruinose appearance, surrounded by a whitish zone. The hamathecium does not contain oil lobules. Asci each contain eight ascospores . These ascospores are hyaline, 5–7-septate, fusiform , measuring 65–85 by 16–19 μm, with pointed ends and diamond-shaped lumina , not surrounded by a gelatinous layer. Pycnidia were not observed to occur in this species. [2]
The thallus surface of Astrothelium macrostomum is UV−, while the medulla is K−. The ostiolar region has a UV+ (yellow) reaction. Thin-layer chromatography indicates the presence of lichexanthone, a xanthone compound that fluoresces when lit with a long-wavelength UV light. [2]
Astrothelium macrostomum is similar to Astrothelium eustomum , but can be differentiated by its 5–7-septate ascospores , as opposed to the 3–5-septate and smaller ascospores of A. eustomum. Astrothelium diplocarpoides shares some similar characteristics, but differs in having an inspersed hamathecium and the presence of lichexanthone throughout the thallus. [2]
Astrothelium macrostomum grows on the smooth bark of trees within rainforests. It is known to occur in Brazil, Guyana, and Venezuela. [2]
Astrothelium aeneoides is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Trypetheliaceae. It is found in Brazil, Guyana, and Puerto Rico, where it grows on the smooth bark of rainforest trees.
Astrothelium pictum is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Trypetheliaceae. Found in Brazil, it was formally described as a new species in 2016 by Dutch lichenologist André Aptroot. The type specimen was collected by the author from the Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural Santuário Caraça at an altitude of 1,300 m (4,300 ft); there, in an Atlantic Forest habitat, it was found growing on smooth tree bark.
Astrothelium mesoduplex is a species of lichen in the family Trypetheliaceae. It is similar to A. flavoduplex but has larger ascospores and lacks lichexanthone. This lichen species has been found only in Brazil, particularly in primary forests.
Astrothelium novemseptatum is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling) lichen in the family Trypetheliaceae. It was first identified in Brazil, and has since been found in Guyana and Colombia. The lichen is characterized by its corticate, smooth, and somewhat shiny thallus, as well as its pyriform ascomata.
Astrothelium ochroleucoides is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling) lichen in the family Trypetheliaceae. It is found in Brazil and Guyana.
Astrothelium solitarium is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling) in the family Trypetheliaceae. Found in Brazil, it was formally described as a new species in 2016 by lichenologists André Aptroot and Marcela Cáceres. The species is closely related to Astrothelium ceratinum but differs in its ascospore size.
Astrothelium supraclandestinum is a species of lichen in the family Trypetheliaceae. This lichen species is closely related to Astrothelium subclandestinum, but differs in its hamathecium, which is not inspersed. The species is widespread and has been observed in several countries across different continents.
Astrothelium testudineum is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling) lichen in the family Trypetheliaceae. It is found in Brazil.
Astrothelium xanthosuperbum is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling) lichen in the family Trypetheliaceae. It is found in Rondônia, Brazil. The species is characterized by its large muriform ascospores and is similar in appearance to Astrothelium disjunctum.
Viridothelium leptoseptatum is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Trypetheliaceae, first described in 2016. Found in Brazil, it resembles Astrothelium aeneum but differs in several key aspects, including the absence of pigment on the thallus and specific features of its ascospores.
Trypethelium luteolucidum is a species of lichen in the family Trypetheliaceae, first formally described in 2016. Found in Brazil and Mexico, it is similar to Trypethelium regnellii, but differs by the presence of anthraquinone crystals in the pseudostromata.
Polymeridium endoflavens is a species of lichen in the family Trypetheliaceae, first described in 2016. This species is found in Brazil.
Astrothelium tetrasporum is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Trypetheliaceae, first described in 2016. It is found in Brazil.
Astrothelium simplex is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Trypetheliaceae, first described in 2016. It is found in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil.
Astrothelium rubrocrystallinum is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Trypetheliaceae, first described in 2016. It is found in Brazil.
Astrothelium megeustomum is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Trypetheliaceae, first scientifically described in 2016. It is found in Brazil.
Astrothelium longisporum is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Trypetheliaceae. It occurs in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil.
Astrothelium graphicum is a species of lichen in the family Trypetheliaceae. This lichen features an extended, reticulate pseudostroma that is lower than its slightly bullate thallus.
Astrothelium globosum is a species of lichen in the family Trypetheliaceae. This species is characterised by its immersed ascomata and a thallus consisting of nearly spherical warts, along with distinctive 3-septate ascospores.
Astrothelium curvatum is a species of corticolous lichen in the family Trypetheliaceae. Found in Brazil, it was described as a new species in 2016. It is characterised by its immersed pyriform ascomata with lateral ostioles and bent, muriform ascospores.