Gallowayella weberi

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Gallowayella weberi
Xanthomendoza weberi - Flickr - pellaea.jpg
in Delmarva, on the East Coast of the United States
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Class: Lecanoromycetes
Order: Teloschistales
Family: Teloschistaceae
Genus: Gallowayella
Species:
G. weberi
Binomial name
Gallowayella weberi
(S.Y.Kondr. & Kärnefelt) S.Y.Kondr., Fedorenko, S.Stenroos, Kärnefelt, Elix, Hur & A.Thell (2012)
Synonyms [1]
  • Xanthoria weberiS.Y.Kondr. & Kärnefelt (2003)
  • Oxneria weberi(S.Y.Kondr. & Kärnefelt) S.Y.Kondr. & Kärnefelt (2003)
  • Xanthomendoza weberi(S.Y.Kondr. & Kärnefelt) L.Lindblom (2006)

Gallowayella weberi is a species of corticolous and saxicolous (bark- and rock-dwelling), foliose lichen in the family Teloschistaceae. [2] Found in the eastern United States, it is a small lichen with a smooth yellow to orange upper surface and a contrasting white lower surface.

Contents

Taxonomy

The lichen was first formally described as a new species in 2003 by the lichenologists Sergey Kondratyuk and Ingvar Kärnefelt, who named it Xanthoria weberii. The type specimen was collected in Grimes County, Texas in 1970. It was found by William Alfred Weber in woodlands dominated by Quercus stellata (Post Oak), where it was abundant on oak trees in both dusty roadside locations and urban areas. [3] The spelling with two "i"s was erroneous, and it was corrected to weberi in a subsequent publication. [4] After a couple more proposed generic transfers, to Oxneria [5] and later to Xanthomendoza , [6] Kondratyuk, Kärnefelt, and their colleagues finally reclassified the taxon in the then newly circumscribed genus Gallowayella in 2012. [4]

Description

Gallowayella weberi is a foliose lichen that forms small thalli up to 4 mm wide, which adhere to surfaces ranging from closely to somewhat loosely attached. The lobes of the thallus are flat, ranging from horizontal to slightly ascending, and measure between 0.3 and 0.5 mm in width. The tips of these lobes often curve inward, and the outermost parts of mature lobes are truncated or cut off squarely. [6]

The upper surface of Gallowayella weberi has a yellow to orange color and is smooth to the touch. Its lower surface contrasts with a white color. The cortex, or the outer layer of the lichen, is made of tightly packed cells and is colorless, except for the presence of external anthraquinone crystals, which are chemical compounds often found in lichens. The photobiont (photosynthetic partner) is a unicellular green alga from the genus Trebouxia . [6]

The medulla, which is the inner tissue beneath the cortex, has a net-like structure made of short cells. Rhizines, which are root-like structures helping the lichen to anchor to its substrate , are mostly present and are white in color, turning yellow when exposed. They can be either attached to the substrate or free. Soralia, the structures for asexual reproduction, are found at the lobe tips and often form small structures resembling bird nests, with the soredia (powdery reproductive propagules) being yellow in color. [6]

Apothecia (fruiting bodies) are rare in this species and range from 0.7 to 2.0 mm in width. The ascospores measure between 12.7 and 14.0 by 7.0 to 7.7  µm, with a septum thickness of 2.9 to 4.6 µm. Pycnidia, an asexual reproductive structure, are common on the surface ( laminal ) and are orange in color, measuring about 0.1 to 0.2 mm in diameter. The conidia (asexual spores) are rod-shaped and measure 3.2 to 3.6 µm in length. [6]

Chemically, the cortex and apothecia react to a solution of potassium hydroxide by turning purple, but show no reaction to other chemical spot tests (C−, PD−, and I−). The medulla also shows no reaction to these tests. The major secondary metabolites (lichen products) found in Gallowayella weberi are parietin, fallacinal, and teloschistin, with emodin and parietinic acid as minor components. [6] This distribution of secondary metabolites corresponds to the chemosyndroma A proposed by Ulrik Søchting in 1997. [7] [6]

Habitat and distribution

Gallowayella weberi is found in arid environments and can grow on diverse substrates including both natural surfaces like bark and rock, as well as on artificial ones such as concrete and tombstones. It is native to North America, predominantly in the eastern regions, with its most significant population density in the Southeast. [6]

Species interactions

Tremella xanthomendozae is a lichenicolous fungus that infects Gallowayella weberi (it was named when its host was classified in genus Xanthomendoza). [8]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Teloschistaceae</span> Family of lichen-forming fungi

The Teloschistaceae are a large family of mostly lichen-forming fungi belonging to the class Lecanoromycetes in the division Ascomycota. The family has a cosmopolitan distribution, although members occur predominantly in subtropical and temperate regions. Most members are lichens that either live on rock or on bark, but about 40 species are lichenicolous – meaning they are non-lichenised fungi that live on other lichens. Many members of the Teloschistaceae are readily identifiable by their vibrant orange to yellow hue, a result of their frequent anthraquinone content. The presence of these anthraquinone pigments, which confer protection from ultraviolet light, enabled this group to expand from shaded forest habitats to harsher environmental conditions of sunny and arid ecosystems during the Late Cretaceous.

<i>Rusavskia elegans</i> Species of lichenised fungus

Rusavskia elegans, commonly known as the elegant sunburst lichen, is a lichenized species of fungus in the genus Rusavskia, family Teloschistaceae. Recognized by its bright orange or red pigmentation, this species grows on rocks, often near bird or rodent perches. It has a circumpolar and alpine distribution. It was one of the first lichens to be used for the rock-face dating method known as lichenometry.

<i>Gallowayella</i> Genus of lichen-forming fungi

Gallowayella is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Teloschistaceae. It has 15 species. The genus was circumscribed in 2012 by Sergey Kondratyuk, Natalya Fedorenko, Soili Stenroos, Ingvar Kärnefelt, Jack Elix, and Arne Thell, with Gallowayella coppinsii assigned as the type species. The generic name honours New Zealand lichenologist David John Galloway (1942–2014).

Ovealmbornia is a monotypic genus of mostly foliose lichen species in the subfamily Xanthorioideae of the family Teloschistaceae. It now only contains one known species, Ovealmbornia reginae as others were classed as synonyms of other species in the same family.

Huneckia is a genus of crustose lichens in the subfamily Caloplacoideae of the family Teloschistaceae. It has four species.

Gallowayella aphrodites is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling), foliose (leafy) lichen in the family Teloschistaceae. It is found in the Mediterranean countries Greece, Cyprus, and Italy. Characteristics of the lichen include its small thallus, the disposition of the rhizines on the thallus undersurface, and the lack of vegetative propagules.

<i>Golubkovia</i> Single-species genus of lichen

Golubkovia is a single-species fungal genus in the family Teloschistaceae. It contains the species Golubkovia trachyphylla, a rock-dwelling lichen that is found in Asia and North America. This crustose lichen has a yellow-orange thallus that is placodioid in form.

<i>Gallowayella hasseana</i> Species of lichen

Gallowayella hasseana, the poplar sunburst lichen, is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Teloschistaceae. It occurs in North America.

Jackelixia whinrayi is a lichen in the family Teloschistaceae. It was first described in 2007 by Sergey Kondratyuk and Ingvar Kärnefelt as Xanthoria whinrayi, but was transferred to the genus Jackelixia in 2009 by Kondratyuk, Natalya M. Fedorenko, Soili Kristina Stenroos, Kärnefelt, and Arne Thell.

<i>Rusavskia</i> Genus of lichens

Rusavskia is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Teloschistaceae. It has 12 species. It is a member of the subfamily Xanthorioideae. The thallus of Rusavskia is characterized by its foliose (leaf-like) structure with distinct and typically narrow lobes that curve outwards.

<i>Martinjahnsia</i> Species of lichen

Martinjahnsia is a single-species fungal genus in the family Teloschistaceae. It contains the sole species Martinjahnsia resendei, a saxicolous (rock-dwelling) crustose lichen.

<i>Gallowayella fulva</i> Species of lichen

Gallowayella fulva is a species of foliose lichen in the family Teloschistaceae. It was first scientifically described in 1796 by German lichenologist Georg Franz Hoffmann, who classified it as a member of genus Lobaria. It has also been classified in the genera Oxneria, Xanthomendoza and Xanthoria in its taxonomic history. Sergey Kondratyuk and colleagues transferred the taxon to the genus Gallowayella in 2012, based on a molecular phylogenetics-based restructuring of some genera in the subfamily Xanthorioideae of family Teloschistaceae. In North America, one vernacular name for the species is the bare-bottomed sunburst lichen.

Xanthoria yorkensis is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Teloschistaceae. Found in South Australia, it was formally described as a new species in 2009 by lichenologists Sergey Kondratyuk and Ingvar Kärnefelt. The type specimen, collected along the Maitland road in Yorke Peninsula, was found growing on Melaleuca trees in mallee scrub. The species epithet refers to its type locality, the only place the lichen is known to occur. Kondratyuk and colleagues proposed to transfer the taxon to the newly circumscribed Jackelixia in 2009, but this genus has not been widely accepted by other authorities.

Xanthoria kangarooensis is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Teloschistaceae. Found in Australia, it was formally described as a new species in 2009 by lichenologists Sergey Kondratyuk and Ingvar Kärnefelt. The type specimen was collected from East Kangaroo Island, where it was found growing on dead Lycium ferocissimum shrubs. Other associated lichens include species of Pyxine, Ramalina, and Rinodina. The species epithet kangarooensis refers to its type locality, the only place the lichen is known to occur. Kondratyuk and colleagues proposed to transfer the taxon to the newly circumscribed Jackelixia in 2009, but this genus has not been widely accepted by other authorities.

<i>Gallowayella montana</i> Species of lichen

Gallowayella montana is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling) lichen in the family Teloschistaceae. It occurs in North America.

Marchantiana is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Teloschistaceae. It contains seven species of corticolous (bark-dwelling), crustose lichens that occur in the Southern Hemisphere.

Verrucoplaca is a monotypic fungal genus in the family Teloschistaceae. It contains the single species Verrucoplaca verruculifera, a widely distributed saxicolous (rock-dwelling), crustose lichen that grows on coastal rocks.

Elixjohnia gallowayi is a species of saxicolous (rock-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Teloschistaceae. It has a vividly coloured thallus, ranging in hues from bright red to reddish-orange. It is found in Australia.

Xanthocarpia jerramungupensis is a species of terricolous (ground-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Teloschistaceae. Found in Australia, it was formally described as a new species in 2009 by lichenologists Sergey Kondratyuk, Ingvar Kärnefelt, and John Elix; they classified it in the genus Caloplaca. The type specimen was collected from Jerramungup, Western Australia, where it was found growing among scrub on sandy soil. The species epithet refers to the type locality, which, at the time of its original publication, was the only known location of this lichen. Kondratyuk and colleagues transferred the taxon to the genus Xanthocarpia in 2013, as part of comprehensive molecular phylogenetics-led restructuring of the Teloschistaceae.

Dufourea angustata is a species of saxicolous (rock-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Teloschistaceae. It is widely distributed across Australia.

References

  1. ↑ "Synonymy. Current Name: Gallowayella weberi (S.Y. Kondr. & Kärnefelt) S.Y. Kondr., Fedorenko, S. Stenroos, Kärnefelt, Elix, Hur & A. Thell, in Fedorenko, Stenroos, Thell, Kärnefelt, Elix, Hur & Kondratyuk, Biblthca Lichenol. 108: 60 (2012)". Species Fungorum . Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  2. ↑ "Gallowayella weberi (S.Y. Kondr. & Kärnefelt) S.Y. Kondr., Fedorenko, S. Stenroos, Kärnefelt, Elix, Hur & A. Thell". Catalogue of Life . Species 2000: Leiden, the Netherlands. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  3. ↑ Kondratyuk, S.Y.; Kärnefelt, I. (2003). "Five new Xanthorias from Holarctic". Ukrainskiy Botanichnyi Zhurnal. 60 (2): 121–130.
  4. 1 2 Fedorenko, Natalya M.; Stenroos, Soili; Thell, Arne; Kärnefelt, Ingvar; Elix, John A.; Hur, Jae-Seoun; Kondratyuk, Sergij Y. (2012). "Molecular phylogeny of xanthorioid lichens (Teloschistaceae, Ascomycota), with notes on their morphology". In Kärnefelt, Ingvar; Seaward, Mark R.D.; Thell, Arne (eds.). Systematics, Biodiversity and Ecology of Lichens. Bibliotheca Lichenologica. Vol. 108. J. Cramer in der Gebrüder Borntraeger Verlagsbuchhandlung. pp. 45–64. ISBN   978-3-443-58087-2.
  5. ↑ Kondratyuk, S.Y.; Kärnefelt, I. (2003). "Revision of three natural groups of xanthorioid lichens (Teloschistaceae, Ascomycota)". Ukrainskiy Botanichnyi Zhurnal. 60 (4): 427–437.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Lindblom, Louise (2006). "Xanthomendoza galericulata, a new sorediate lichen species, with notes on similar species in North America". The Bryologist. 109 (1): 1–8. doi:10.1639/0007-2745(2006)109[0001:xgansl]2.0.co;2. JSTOR   20110748.
  7. ↑ Søchting, Ulrik (1997). "Two major anthraquinone chemosyndromes in Teloschistaceae". Bibliotheca Lichenologica. 68: 135–144.
  8. ↑ Diederich, Paul; Millanes, Ana M.; Wedin, Mats; Lawrey, James D. (August 20, 2022). Flora of Lichenicolous Fungi. Basidiomycota (PDF). Vol. 1. Luxembourg: National Museum of Natural History. p. 351. ISBN   978-2-919877-26-3.
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