Graphis khaoyaiensis

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Graphis khaoyaiensis
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Class: Lecanoromycetes
Order: Graphidales
Family: Graphidaceae
Genus: Graphis
Species:
G. khaoyaiensis
Binomial name
Graphis khaoyaiensis
Poengs. & Lumbsch (2019)

Graphis khaoyaiensis is a rare species of corticolous (bark-dwelling) script lichen in the family Graphidaceae. [1] Found only in a specific region in Thailand, it closely resembles Graphis dichotoma but can be distinguished by its smaller ascospores and the absence of radiately branched lirellae .

Contents

Taxonomy

Graphis khaoyaiensis was formally described as a new species in 2019 by lichenologists Vasun Poengsungnoen and H. Thorsten Lumbsch. The type specimen was collected at Pha Ta Bak waterfall in Khao Yai National Park, Thailand, on the tree bark of Castanopsis acuminatissima . The specific epithet khaoyaiensis refers to the national park where the type specimen was collected. [2]

This species shares some characteristics with both Allographa and Graphis lichens, but according to the authors, it is best placed within the genus Graphis due to its erumpent apothecia, lateral thalline margin , laterally carbonized excipulum, and small to large ascospores. [2]

Description

The thallus of Graphis khaoyaiensis is corticolous, growing up to 6 cm (2.4 in) in diameter and 60–80  μm thick. Its surface is smooth to uneven and whitish in colour. The photobiont associated with this lichen is Trentepohlia , and the medulla is absent. The apothecia are lirelliform , erumpent, straight to curved, and range from simple to sparsely branched. Ascospores are muriform with 6–9 transverse septa and 4–6 longitudinal septa per segment, measuring 15–25 by 9–13 μm. [2]

Graphis khaoyaiensis is similar to Graphis dichotoma but differs in its smaller ascospores and the lack of radiately branched lirellae. Other similar species include Graphis pseudoserpens , Graphis puiggarii , and Graphis khaojoneana , which can be differentiated by their ascospore characteristics. [2]

Habitat and distribution

Graphis khaoyaiensis has been found on the bark of Castanopsis acuminatissima trees in a tropical rainforest at Khao Yai National Park, Thailand. At the time of publication, it was only known to occur in its type locality. [2]

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Diorygma sticticum is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling) script lichen in the family Graphidaceae. It was described as new to science in 2011. It is found in lowland rainforests in Thailand, and in southwestern India.

<i>Graphis crebra</i> Species of lichen in the family Graphidaceae

Graphis crebra is a species of corticolous lichen in the family Graphidaceae. It has a pantropical distribution. Like other script lichens, it grows on bark and resembles calligraphy. It can be distinguished from several other similar species by the white pruina (powder) on its apothecial discs.

Leucodecton coppinsii is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling) lichen in the family Graphidaceae. It is found in lowland forests of Sarawak, Malaysia.

Astrochapsa sipmanii is a little-known species of corticolous (bark-dwelling) lichen in the family Graphidaceae. It is found in Singapore.

Pseudochapsa lueckingii is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Graphidaceae. It is known only from a single collection in São Paulo, Brazil.

Pertusaria hypostictica is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Pertusariaceae. Found in Thailand, it was formally described as a new species in 2005 by Sureeporn Jariangprasert. The type specimen was collected from Khao Yai National Park at an altitude of 1,233 m (4,045 ft), where it was found growing on the bark of a Fagaceae plant. It has also been found in the peninsular region in the southern part of Thailand. The species epithet refers to the presence of hypostictic acid as a minor lichen product. It also contains stictic acid as a major substance, minor amounts of cryptostictic acid, peristictic acid, substictic acid, and trace amounts of constictic acid.

Pertusaria kansriae is a rare species of corticolous (bark-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Pertusariaceae. Found in Thailand, it was formally described as a new species in 2005 by Sureeporn Jariangprasert. The type specimen was collected by the author from the Doi Inthanon National Park at an altitude of 980 m (3,220 ft), where it was found growing on a tree trunk in a mixed forest; the species is known only from this specimen. The species epithet kansriae honours Thai lichenologist Kansri Boonpragob, who inspired the author to study lichens. Distinguishing characteristics of the lichen are the number of ascospores in the ascus (four), and the presence of the lichen products 4,5-dichlorolichexanthone and 2'-O-methylstenosporic acid.

Pertusaria krabiensis is a rare species of corticolous (bark-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Pertusariaceae. Found in peninsular Thailand, it was formally described as a new species in 2005 by Sureeporn Jariangprasert. The type specimen was collected from near the Wat Thamp Suea Temple in Krabi; the species is known only from the type. The species epithet combines the name of the type locality with the Latin suffix -ensis. The main distinguishing characteristics of Pertusaria krabiensis are its uniseriate ascospores, and the presence of homologues of the lichen product 2-O-methylperlatolic acid.

Tapellaria parvimuriformis is a species of foliicolous (leaf-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Pilocarpaceae. It is found in Thailand's Khao Yai National Park, where it grows in the shady understory of lowland rainforests.

Cruentotrema amazonum is a little-known species of script lichen in the family Graphidaceae. It is found in Brazil, Thailand, and Vietnam, where it grows in the understory of primary rainforests.

Fissurina amyloidea is a little-known species of script lichen in the family Graphidaceae. It is found in the primary rainforests of Rondônia, Brazil. It is characterized by its weakly carbonizedlirellae and thick-walled, strongly amyloid ascospores. Despite its superficial similarity to Fissurina subfurfuracea, F. amyloidea exhibits unique anatomical features that set it apart from other species within the genus.

Allographa grandis is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling) lichen in the family Graphidaceae. Found in Cameroon, it is characterised its large ascomata and ascospores, and an inspersed hymenium.

Astrochapsa elongata is a little-known species of corticolous (bark-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Graphidaceae. Found only in a specific region of Thailand, it is closely related to Astrochapsa recurva, yet distinguishes itself through its narrower ascospores and absence of secondary metabolites.

Compositrema thailandicum is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling) lichen in the family Graphidaceae. Found in tropical Thailand, it was described as a new species in 2012. The lichen is distinguished by its unique physical characteristics and its notable similarities to, and differences from, other species within the same family.

Diorygma cameroonense is a little-known species of corticolous (bark-dwelling) script lichen in the family Graphidaceae. It is found in the pristine rainforests of eastern Cameroon. This lichen is distinct due to its larger ascospores with more septa compared to the closely related Diorygma sticticum.

Glyphis frischiana is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling) script lichen in the family Graphidaceae. It is distinguished by its large ascospores, single-spored asci, and the presence of stictic acid as a major metabolite. Found on the trunk of Eucalyptus trees in Cameroon, it is similar in appearance to Glyphis atrofusca but can be distinguished by these key characteristics.

Phlyctis communis is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling) crustose lichen in the family Phlyctidaceae. Found in the Maharashtra state of India, it grows on the bark of tree trunks in semi-evergreen to dry deciduous forests. Described as a new species in 2012, the lichen is characterised by its greyish or greenish-white crustose thallus and numerous ascomata, ascospores that have between 7 and 14 transverse septa, and the presence of corstictic and salazinic acids.

Phlyctis sirindhorniae is a little-known species of corticolous (bark-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Phlyctidaceae. It shares some similarities with Phlyctis agelaea but can be distinguished by its smaller ascospores, larger apothecia, and a higher number of ascospores per ascus. It is only known to exist in a specific location in northeastern Thailand.

Graphis paraschiffneri is a little-known species of corticolous (bark-dwelling) script lichen in the family Graphidaceae. It is only known to occur in Nicaragua. Closely related to Graphis schiffneri, the lichen is distinguished from this lookalike by its longer ascospores with more septa and extended lirellae.

References

  1. "Graphis khaoyaiensis Poengs. & Lumbsch". Catalogue of Life . Species 2000: Leiden, the Netherlands. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Poengsungnoen, Vasun; Buaruang, Kawinnat; Vongshewarat, Kajonsak; Sangvichien, Ek; Boonpragob, Kansri; Mongkolsuk, Pachara; Lumbsch, H. Thorsten (2019). "Three new crustose lichens from Thailand". The Bryologist. 122 (3): 451–456. doi:10.1639/0007-2745-122.3.451.