Gonotichia is a small genus of cyanolichens (lichens that partner with cyanobacteria) in the family Lichinellaceae. The genus was established in 2024 as part of a major reorganisation of cyanolichen classification based on DNA studies, and contains just two species that form tiny, dark crusts on sun-exposed rocks. These lichens are characterised by their distinctive reproductive structures that develop as swellings within the lichen body rather than as separate disc-like structures on the surface.
Species of Gonotichia are minute, rock-dwelling cyanolichens. The thallus (lichen body) is crustose, forming thin, dark, irregular patches ( areoles ) on the substrate rather than a leafy or shrubby form. The sexual reproductive structures are thallinocarpous , i.e. the ascomata develop within swellings of the thallus instead of as open, disc-like apothecia on the surface. Asci conform to the Lichinella-type used to characterise Lichinellaceae; in the type species they bear eight ascospores.[3]
Habitat and distribution
Gonotichia species occur on sun-exposed mineral substrates, especially siliceous rock, in open sites. Their very small, dark crusts are typical of many Lichinellaceae, which are scattered but widespread in suitable dry, well-lit habitats.[3]
Species
The following species are accepted in the 2024 treatment:[3]
↑ Lettau, G. (1942). "Flechten aus Mitteleuropa. VII". Feddes Repertorium Specierum Novarum Regni Vegetabilis Beiheft (in German). 119 (5): 265–348 [269].
↑ Servít, M. (1937). "Seltenere und neue Flechten". Vestnik Královske Ceské Spolecnosti Nauk (in German). 1936: 1–16 [7].
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