Gymnoderma insulare

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Gymnoderma insulare
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Class: Lecanoromycetes
Order: Lecanorales
Family: Cladoniaceae
Genus: Gymnoderma
Species:
G. insulare
Binomial name
Gymnoderma insulare
Yoshim. & Sharp (1968)

Gymnoderma insulare is a species of lichen in the family Cladoniaceae. It is native to Japan and Taiwan, where it grows in old-growth temperate forests. The species is classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List due to its limited distribution and threats to its habitat.

Contents

Taxonomy

The species was first formally described by Isao Yoshimura and Aaron John Sharp in 1968. The type specimen was collected in Japan by Syo Kurokawa on 7 November 1957, in the Kii Province on Mount Kōya, located on the island of Honshu. It was found growing on the trunk of Cryptomeria japonica at an elevation of around 800 metres. [1]

Description

The primary thallus of Gymnoderma insulare is made up of medium-sized scales ( squamules ), 5–10 mm long and 2–4 mm thick, with a narrowed base, more or less spatula-shaped, slightly lobed, and rounded. It lacks soredia and isidia. The upper surface is ochre-grey, dull, and has a cortex that reacts with potassium hydroxide (K+) by turning pale yellow, but does not react with para-phenylenediamine (P–) or calcium hypochlorite (C–). The underside lacks a cortex, is whitish or greyish-white, striated, and has ascending tips. There are no rhizines (root-like structures). [1]

The cortical layer of the primary thallus is 60–80  μm thick and composed of densely interwoven and glued hyphae, but without forming a paraplectenchyma (a tissue made of tightly packed cells). The medullary layer is 150 μm thick, made up of loosely interwoven hyphae about 3 μm thick, whitish, and unreactive to K, P, and ultraviolet light (UV–). It contains didymic acid (iron [Fe+] test yields a blue reaction, C+ test results in a bluish-green reaction). No cephalodia (structures containing cyanobacteria) are present. [1]

The podetia (stalk-like structures) arise from the margin of the primary thallus, are fairly short or abortive, cylindrical, simple, pale, solid, and covered with a continuous cortex layer that does not contain algae. Apothecia (fruiting bodies) are solitary or clustered, 0.5–0.8 mm wide, pale, biatorine (with no photobiont layer in the margin), and turn brownish or dark brown to black. The spores are hyaline (colourless and translucent), non-septate, oblong, 8–12 μm long, and 3 μm wide. [1]

It resembles Gymnoderma coccocarpum in form, but contains different chemical substances. The photobiont partner is a green alga from the genus Trebouxia . [1]

Distribution and habitat

The species is known to occur in Japan (on the islands of Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku, and Yakushima [2] ) and Taiwan. [3] It grows specifically at the base of [trunk (botany)|trunks]] of veteran trees in old-growth forests, particularly on Cryptomeria japonica in Japan and Chamaecyparis obtusa in Taiwan. Both of these host tree species are classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN. [4]

Gymnoderma insulare is found at elevations between 800 and 1,000 meters above sea level. As of 2014, the species was known from only five locations, with an estimated area of occupancy of 24 km2 (9.3 sq mi). [4]

Conservation

Gymnoderma insulare is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. The primary threats to the species include habitat loss and natural disasters. Historical intensive forestry practices have likely led to population declines in previous decades, while typhoons and other severe weather events pose a continuing threat to the species' habitat. [4]

All known populations of G. insulare occur within protected areas. However, the species remains vulnerable due to its limited distribution and specific habitat requirements. The loss of old-growth forests containing its host tree species has restricted the lichen to a few remaining protected areas. The lichen is considered an old-growth dependent species with a long generation time, estimated at 33 years. This characteristic makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat disturbances and limits its ability to recolonise areas after forest loss. [4]

Conservation efforts for G. insulare focus on several key strategies. These include the protection of its habitat within designated conservation areas and the ongoing monitoring of known populations. Additionally, researchers and conservationists have recommended further studies to better understand the species' population size, trends, and distribution in underexplored regions. These efforts aim to improve the long-term survival prospects of this rare and endangered lichen species. [4]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cladoniaceae</span> Family of lichens

The Cladoniaceae are a family of lichen-forming fungi in the order Lecanorales, comprising about 560 species distributed amongst 18 genera. This family is one of the largest among lichen-forming fungi and is globally distributed, from Arctic tundra to tropical rainforests, favouring humid environments while being intolerant of arid conditions. Molecular phylogenetics has significantly advanced the understanding of their complex taxonomic history, revealing intricate evolutionary relationships and leading to a refined classification. Notable members include reindeer moss and cup lichens of the genus Cladonia, which consist of about 500 species and forms a significant part of the diet for large mammals in taiga and tundra ecosystems.

<i>Acolium</i> Genus of lichens

Acolium is a genus of lichenized fungi in the family Caliciaceae. The genus has a widespread distribution and contains six species. These lichens are found on bark and wood, occasionally on rocks, or growing on other lichens.

Gallaicolichen is a fungal genus that contains the single species Gallaicolichen pacificus, a foliicolous (leaf-dwelling) lichen. Originally discovered in Hawaii in 2007, G. pacificus has since been found in various locations across the Pacific, including Australia, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, the Philippines, and Japan. The lichen forms small, pale greenish-yellow to yellowish-grey patches on leaves, typically in mid-altitude forests and along forest edges. G. pacificus is notable for its unique reproductive structures called peltidiangia, which produce disc-shaped propagules (peltidia) for asexual reproduction. Initially, its taxonomic classification was uncertain, but recent discoveries of specimens with sexual reproductive structures have enabled scientists to confidently place it within the family Porinaceae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lichen growth forms</span> Gross morphological classification

Lichens are symbiotic organisms made up of multiple species: a fungus, one or more photobionts and sometimes a yeast. They are regularly grouped by their external appearance – a characteristic known as their growth form. This form, which is based on the appearance of vegetative part of the lichen, varies depending on the species and the environmental conditions it faces. Those who study lichens (lichenologists) have described a dozen of these forms: areolate, byssoid, calicioid, cladoniform, crustose, filamentous, foliose, fruticose, gelatinous, leprose, placoidioid and squamulose. Traditionally, crustose (flat), foliose (leafy) and fruticose (shrubby) are considered to be the three main forms. In addition to these more formalised, traditional growth types, there are a handful of informal types named for their resemblance to the lichens of specific genera. These include alectorioid, catapyrenioid, cetrarioid, hypogymnioid, parmelioid and usneoid.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lichen morphology</span>

Lichen morphology describes the external appearance and structures of a lichen. These can vary considerably from species to species. Lichen growth forms are used to group lichens by "vegetative" thallus types, and forms of "non-vegetative" reproductive parts. Some lichen thalli have the aspect of leaves ; others cover the substrate like a crust, others such as the genus Ramalina adopt shrubby forms, and there are gelatinous lichens such as the genus Collema.

<i>Parmelia barrenoae</i> Species of lichen

Parmelia barrenoae is a species of foliose lichen in the large family Parmeliaceae. It was formally described as a new species in 2005. Before this, it was lumped together as one of several lichens in the Parmelia sulcata group—a species complex of genetically distinct lookalikes. Parmelia barrenoae is widely distributed, occurring in Europe, western North America, Africa, and Asia.

Acarospora pseudofuscata is a species of saxicolous (rock-dwelling) crustose lichen in the family Acarosporaceae. It occurs on a few islands in the Aegean Sea and in Turkey.

Leptogium compactum is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling), foliose lichen in the family Collemataceae. Found in northwestern North America, it was formally described as a new species in 2016 by Daphne Stone, Frances Anderson, and James Hinds. It is distinguished from related Leptogium species by the tightly packed hyphae in the medulla; this characteristic internal anatomy is alluded to in the species epithet compactum.

Heppia arenacea is a species of terricolous (ground-dwelling) lichen in the family Lichinaceae. Discovered in Yemen, it is characterized by its sand-coloured thallus and the incorporation of soil particles throughout its vegetative parts. The lichen is found in soil crust communities over limestone and basaltic rock in desert habitats, as well as in partially sheltered areas between large boulders.

Dictyonema krogiae is a species of basidiolichen in the family Hygrophoraceae. It is found in Kenya, where it grows as an epiphyte on trees. It is often found in association with other lichens, such as Parmotrema, and bryophytes, such as Frullania. A main characteristic that distinguishes it from other closely related species is its clearly defined internal layers, including its contrasting dense photobiont layer and a loose lower cortex.

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.

<i>Lobariella reticulata</i> Species of lichen

Lobariella reticulata is a species of foliose lichen in the family Peltigeraceae. It is found in Colombia.

<i>Peltigera cinnamomea</i> Species of lichen

Peltigera cinnamomea, commonly known as the cinnamon-pelt lichen, is a muscicolous (moss-dwelling), leafy lichen in the family Peltigeraceae. The Canadian lichenologist Trevor Goward formally described the species in 1995. The lichen is found in northwestern North America's forested regions, particularly in the unique montane and subalpine forest communities of the northern Rocky Mountains. Peltigera cinnamomea grows under prolonged snow cover, surviving well into spring. This trait distinguishes it from many other Peltigera species in similar North American forest ecosystems.

Lepraria torii is a species of corticolous and lignicolous, leprose lichen in the family Stereocaulaceae. It is found in northwestern North America.

Lecidea toensbergii is a species of saxicolous (rock-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Lecideaceae. Described as a new species in 2018, it has been documented from several locations in Norway and a single location in Sweden, where it grows in rocky alpine environments.

Austroparmeliella is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Pannariaceae. It consists of five species, all of which are found in the Southern Hemisphere.

Meridianelia is a fungal genus in the family Elixiaceae. It consists of the single species Meridianelia maccarthyana, a corticolous (bark-dwelling), crustose lichen. This lichen forms greyish-white, crust-like growths on tree bark in subalpine woodlands of Tasmania, Australia. Discovered in 2003 and scientifically described in 2009, Meridianelia is classified in the small fungal family Elixiaceae based on its genetic and structural characteristics. The genus is notable for its unique reproductive structures and its apparent rarity, having been found in only a few locations despite growing in a relatively common type of forest.

Boreoplaca is a fungal genus in the family Ophioparmaceae. It comprises the single species Boreoplaca ultrafrigida, a saxicolous (rock-dwelling), squamulose lichen. Both the genus and species were described in 1994 by the Norwegian lichenologist Einar Timdal. The lichen is found in Eastern Siberia, the Russian Far East as well as in adjacent territories of north-east China, and in South Korea. The main characteristics of the lichen are its squamulose thallus, black lecideine apothecia, and Fuscidea-type asci.

<i>Pseudocyphellaria hirsuta</i> Species of lichen-forming fungus

Pseudocyphellaria hirsuta is a species of foliose lichen in the family Peltigeraceae. First described in 1835, it has undergone several taxonomic revisions over nearly two centuries. The lichen forms a flat, leaf-like structure (thallus) that can grow up to 27 cm in diameter, typically appearing grey or brown and covered in fine hairs. It is characterised by small pore-like structures called pseudocyphellae on its lower surface, which can be yellow or, less commonly, white. P. hirsuta grows mainly on trees in forested areas, particularly those dominated by southern beech (Nothofagus) species, but can also be found on rocks, soil, and stumps. The species is widely distributed in Argentina and Chile, from central regions to Tierra del Fuego, and has been observed in various forest types and elevations.

Nebularia is a small genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Pannariaceae. It comprises two species, both of which are found in the Andes.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Yoshimura, Isao; Sharp, Aaron J. (1968). "A revision of the genus Gymnoderma". American Journal of Botany. 55 (5): 635–640. doi:10.2307/2440620. JSTOR   2440620.
  2. ↑ Yoshimura, Isao (1982). "Distribution of Gymnoderma coccocarpum Nyl. and G. insulare Yoshim. & Sharp". Bulletin of Kochi Gakuen Junior College. 13: 83.
  3. ↑ Kashiwadani, Hiroyuki; Moon, Kwang Hee (2010). "Noteworthy species of lichens found in Taiwan" (PDF). Memoirs of the National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo. 46: 65–68.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Ohmura, Y.; Nadyeina, O.; Scheidegger, C. (14 August 2014). "Gymnoderme insulare". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2014. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
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