Graphis paraschiffneri | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Fungi |
Division: | Ascomycota |
Class: | Lecanoromycetes |
Order: | Graphidales |
Family: | Graphidaceae |
Genus: | Graphis |
Species: | G. paraschiffneri |
Binomial name | |
Graphis paraschiffneri Lücking & Breuss (2015) | |
Graphis paraschiffneri is a little-known species of corticolous (bark-dwelling) script lichen in the family Graphidaceae. [1] 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 (internal partitions) and extended lirellae (fruiting bodies).
Graphis paraschiffneri was formally described as a new species in 2015 by the lichenologists Robert Lücking and Othmar Breuss. First identified in Nicaragua, near the Pacific coast at Playa El Coco, about 18 km (11 mi) south of San Juan del Sur, the type specimen was collected by the second author on 19 July 2001. The species epithet alludes to its similarity with Graphis schiffneri . [2]
The thallus of Graphis paraschiffneri is epiperidermal (i.e., growing on the surface of the bark substrate , rather than in it), with a thickness of 100–150 micrometres (µm). It has a greyish-white, smooth, and slightly rimose (cracked) appearance, thinly coated with a cortex containing an irregular algal layer and calcium oxalate crystals. It lacks a prothallus. The lirellae , which are the fruiting structures, are immersed to erumpent , typically measuring 1.5–3.0 mm in length and about 0.25 mm in width. They are either simple or sparsely branched and has a lateral thalline margin . The labia are entire to slightly furrowed at the tips, with free and black, non- pruinose tips; the disc remains concealed. The excipulum is completely carbonised , measuring 230–280 µm in width and 170–200 µm in height. The hypothecium is approximately 20 µm tall and colourless, while the clear hymenium is 90–120 µm tall. The paraphyses are unbranched and hyaline (transclucent), and the epihymenium is granulose and grey-brown. The ascospores , numbering eight per ascus, are colourless, and stain violet-blue with iodine. Spores are elongated, measuring 30–42 (sometimes up to 50) by 7.5–8.5 µm, and have 10 to 14 locules . [2]
Graphis paraschiffneri contains norstictic acid, as detected by thin-layer chromatography. Spot tests on the thallus yield reactions of C−, P−, and K+ (yellow turning slowly to orange-red). [2]
Graphis paraschiffneri shares characteristics with G. schiffneri in terms of norstictic acid presence, slightly striate labia, a completely carbonised excipulum, and transversely septate ascospores. It is distinct due to its longer lirellae and larger ascospores. Another related species, Graphis caesiocarpa , differs in having richly branched lirellae and entire, white-pruinose labia with a complete thalline cover. While G. caesiocarpa has similarly sized spores, these spores have fewer septa (7–10) compared to those of G. paraschiffneri. [2]
This lichen species is found growing on tree bark in the Pacific coastal region of Nicaragua. At the time of its original publication, it was known to occur exclusively at the type locality. [2] As of 2023, it is one of 319 lichen species that have been recorded in Nicaragua. [3]
Anomomorpha tuberculata is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling) crustose lichen in the family Graphidaceae. Found in rare cerrado vegetation in southern Costa Rica, it was described as new to science in 2011. It is characterised by its conspicuous tubercles on the thallus and sessile lirellae.
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.
Graphis plumierae is a species of script lichen in the family Graphidaceae. It was described as new to science in 1915 by Finnish mycologist Edvard Vainio. The type was collected in Gourbeyre, Guadeloupe. In 2016, G. plumierae was reported from Portugal, which was also a new occurrence for Europe.
Graphis breussii is a species of script lichen in the family Graphidaceae. Found in Venezuela, it was formally described as a new species in 2009 by Gerhard Neuwirth and Robert Lücking. The type specimen was collected by the first author from Samariapo. Here the lichen was found growing on the bark of dead branches of shrubs growing on granite rocks along the eastern banks of the Orinoco river. Characteristics of the lichen include the large, prominent lirellae with striate labia and a thin thalline cover, a completely carbonized (blackened) exciple, and four submuriform ascospores per ascus. It contains norstictic acid, a lichen product. The specific epithet honours Austrian lichenologist Othmar Breuss.
Allographa uruguayensis is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Graphidaceae. Found in Uruguay, it was formally described as a new species in 2018 by lichenologist Robert Lücking. He had previously informally introduced the species as Graphis uruguayensis in a 2009 publication, but without a proper description. The type specimen was collected in 1968 by Henry Imshaug in Parque Franklin Delano Roosevelt, near Montevideo; here it was found in a planted grove containing Pinus and Eucalyptus. The lichen has a pale yellow-grey thallus, measuring 2–3 cm (0.8–1.2 in) across and 50–70 μm thick, which lacks a prothallus. The ascospores, which number 6 to 8 per ascus, are thick-walled, oblong with between 11 and 17 septa, and measure 45–70 by 6–8 μm. Allographa elongata is somewhat similar in morphology, but is distinguished by differences in the structure of the lirellae, and in ascospore width.
Graphis lueckingii is a species of script lichen in the family Graphidaceae. Found in southern Brazil, it was fornally described as a new species in 2010 by Manuela Dal-Forno and Sionara Eliasaro. The type specimen was collected by the first author in the Pontal do Paraná, where it was found growing on bark in a forest restinga. The species epithet honours lichenologist Robert Lücking.
Allographa pedunculata is a species of script lichen in the family Graphidaceae, discovered in the Galápagos Islands. The species is characterized by its distinctly stalked lirellae and contains norstictic acid. It is similar to other species in the Graphis nuda species complex but has the longest ascospores in the group.
Phaeographis striata is a species of script lichen in the family Graphidaceae, endemic to the Galápagos Islands. It is characterized by its inconspicuous thallus and striate (grooved) thalline margins of the lirellae. The species is found in the lower transition zone, growing on columnar cacti and other plants native to the region.
Acanthothecis collateralis is a rare endemic species of script lichen in the family Graphidaceae. Found in the Andaman Islands of India, it was formally described as a new species in 2007 by Urmila Makhija and Bharati Adawadkar. It is distinguished from other Acanthothecis species by its specific arrangement of ascomata and distinct chemical composition.
Fissurina capsulata is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling) script lichen in the family Graphidaceae. Found in India, it was formally described as a new species in 2007 by Urmila Makhija and Bharati Adawadkar. The lichen is native to Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu, where it was first identified near Daisy Bank in 1975.
Fissurina longiramea is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling) script lichen in the family Graphidaceae. It is found in various locations across India, including the Andaman Islands, Karnataka, and the Nicobar Islands, where it grows in tropical rainforests. The lichen was formally described as a new species in 2007 by Urmila Makhija and Bharati Adawadkar.
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.
Fissurina alligatorensis is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling) crustose lichen in the family Graphidaceae. Characteristics of the lichen include its lack of secondary compounds and an ecorticate thallus. Its habitat is centred around the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in North Carolina, USA, and it has a preference for soft-barked trees. While it can easily be confused with other Fissurina species, there are specific characters that distinguish it, such as its violet ascospores and its lirellate fruiting bodies.
Graphis khaoyaiensis is a rare species of corticolous (bark-dwelling) script lichen in the family Graphidaceae. 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.
Gyrotrema papillatum is a little-known species of corticolous (bark-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Harpidiaceae. It is known from a single collection in a lowland rainforest region of Costa Rica.
Malmidea cineracea is a little-known species of corticolous (bark-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Malmideaceae. It is found in Nicaragua.
Allographa anguilliradians is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Graphidaceae. It has been found in Trinidad and Tobago and Central-West Brazil. Its thallus covers an area of 3 to 7 cm in diameter with a slim profile and a variable surface texture, with a distinct metallic pale grey-olive colour without a prothallus. Its reproductive structures, known as lirellae, form a star-like pattern with black, carbonised outer layers and clear, colourless hymenium, while its ascospores are oblong and segmented, reacting violet-blue to iodine-based stains.
Macroconstrictolumina is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Trypetheliaceae. It has four species.
Graphis halonata is a species of lichen in the family Graphidaceae, first described in 2018. It is found in Brazil. The species is distinguished by its saxicolous (rock-dwelling) habitat, presence of norstictic acid, and unique ascospore characteristics.
Enterographa aldabrensis is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Roccellaceae. It is only known to occur in Aldabra in the Seychelles.