| Mazosia | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Mazosia melanophthalma | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Ascomycota |
| Class: | Arthoniomycetes |
| Order: | Arthoniales |
| Family: | Roccellaceae |
| Genus: | Mazosia A.Massal. (1854) |
| Type species | |
| Mazosia rotula (Mont.) A.Massal. (1854) | |
| Species | |
See text | |
| Synonyms [1] | |
Mazosia is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Roccellaceae. [2]
The genus was circumscribed by Italian lichenologist Abramo Bartolommeo Massalongo in 1854. [3]
Mazosia is a genus of crustose lichens, meaning it forms a thin, crust-like layer that adheres tightly to the surface it grows on. The thallus (lichen body) lacks a protective outer cortex and may sometimes have hair-like extensions on the upper surface. The photosynthetic partner, or photobiont , is typically from the genus Trentepohlia , with cells that are round to oval (7–17 μm wide) and either occur singly or form short chains. In some cases, the photobiont can be from the genus Phycopeltis , which has rectangular to rhomboid cells (12–20 by 6–12 μm) arranged in radiating plates. [4]
The reproductive structures, called apothecia, are generally round and have a layered margin, known as a zeorine structure. This margin consists of three layers: an inner proper exciple (the true margin of the apothecia), an outer thalline margin (derived from the lichen body), and a middle layer of rhomboid crystals (5–10 μm wide) that do not dissolve when treated with potassium hydroxide solution (K). The disc of the apothecia is greyish-black to black and exposed. [4]
In cross-section, the proper exciple has a cup-like shape and is made of vertically oriented hyphae (fungal filaments) that are 3–6 μm thick, red-brown to carbonised (blackened) in colour, and turn olive-green when treated with K. The layer beneath the hymenium, or hypothecium , is pale brown to colourless. The hymenium (the spore-producing layer) is clear, not filled with oil droplets, and shows a faint blue reaction when treated with iodine-based stain (hemiamyloid). [4]
The asci (spore sacs) are cylindrical to club-shaped, usually containing eight spores. They resemble the vulgata-type asci, where the walls and central structure ( tholus ) are not amyloid (do not react to iodine), except for a small amyloid ring. The paraphysoids , which are filamentous structures surrounding the asci, are richly branched and connected, often extending well above the height of the asci without swollen or pigmented tips. [4]
The ascospores are colourless, elongated (ellipsoid to spindle-shaped), and divided by 3–7 internal walls (septate). One central compartment is usually larger than the others. Mazosia also produces asexual spores in structures called pycnidia, which can be either embedded within the thallus or slightly protruding. There are two types of asexual spores: larger, oblong to rod-shaped spores (macroconidia) and smaller, spindle-shaped spores (microconidia). [4]
Chemically, Mazosia species typically lack detectable secondary metabolites (lichen products), although some species contain the compound psoromic acid. [4]
The Roccellaceae are a family of mostly lichen-forming fungi in the order Arthoniales, established by the French botanist François Fulgis Chevallier in 1826. Species in the family exhibit various growth forms, including crustose and fruticose (shrub-like) thalli, and diverse reproductive structures. Roccellaceae species typically have disc-like or slit-like fruiting bodies, often with distinct blackened margins. Molecular phylogenetics studies have revealed considerable genetic diversity and complex evolutionary histories within the family.
The Graphidaceae are a family of lichen-forming fungi in the order Graphidales. The family contains nearly a hundred genera and more than 2000 species. Although the family has a cosmopolitan distribution, most Graphidaceae species occur in tropical regions, and typically grow on bark.
Acarospora is a genus of mostly lichen-forming fungi in the family Acarosporaceae. Most species in the genus are crustose lichens that grow on rocks in open and arid places all over the world. They may look like a cobblestone road or cracked up old paint, and are commonly called cobblestone lichens or cracked lichens. They usually grow on rock, but some grow on soil (terricolous) or on other lichens. Some species in the genus are fungi that live as parasites on other lichens. Acarospora is a widely distributed genus, with about 128 species according to a 2008 estimate.
Byssoloma is a genus of leaf-dwelling lichens in the family Pilocarpaceae.
Tapellaria is a genus of leaf-dwelling lichens in the family Pilocarpaceae. The genus was circumscribed by lichenologist Johannes Müller Argoviensis in 1890, with Tapellaria herpetospora assigned as the type species.
Roccella is a genus of 23 species of lichens in the family Roccellaceae. The genus was circumscribed by Swiss botanist Augustin Pyramus de Candolle in 1805, with Roccella fuciformis as the type species.
Calopadia editiae is a species of lichen in the family Pilocarpaceae. It is found in Tanzania, with a distribution that extends to Costa Rica and the Galápagos Islands. It can be found on leaves or bark and is characterised by its pale grey to brownish grey colour, rounded apothecia and distinctive pruina. Described as new to science in 2011, the species was named in honour of Hungarian lichenologist Edit Farkas.
Coenogonium is a genus of filamentous lichens in the monotypic family Coenogoniaceae. It has about 90 species. Most species are leaf-dwelling or grow on bark, although a few are known to grow on rocks under certain conditions, and some are restricted to growth on termite nests. The genus was circumscribed in 1820 by German naturalist Christian Gottfried Ehrenberg.
Phylloblastia is a genus of foliicolous (leaf-dwelling) lichens in the family Verrucariaceae. The genus was circumscribed in 1921 by Finnish lichenologist Edvard August Vainio, with Phylloblastia dolichospora assigned as the type species.
Aspidothelium is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Thelenellaceae. All species in the genus have a tropical distribution and are crustose with a chlorococcoid photobiont partner. Most Aspidothelium species are foliicolous (leaf-dwelling), although some corticolous (bark-dwelling) species are known, as well as a single saxicolous (rock-dwelling) member.
Asterothyrium vezdae is a species of foliicolous (leaf-dwelling) lichen in the family Gomphillaceae. It is found in Bolivia, where it grows on the leaves of vascular plants in the Amazon rainforest. The lichen is distinguished from its closest relative, Asterothyrium octomerum, by the larger number of septa in its ascospores, and its and black apothecia.
Megalospora austropacifica is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Megalosporaceae. It is found on the islands of Taveuni and Viti Levu in Fiji. It has a yellowish grey to whitish grey, glossy thallus that is thick and may appear slightly wrinkled or smooth, often with irregular cracks and small papillae containing conidiomata, but lacking isidia and soredia. Its apothecia are circular, up to 4.5 mm in diameter, with the disc evolving from concave to slightly convex and coloured from orange-brown to red-brown, surrounded by a thick, prominent margin.
Flavoplaca oasis is a species of saxicolous (rock-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Teloschistaceae. It is widely distributed across Europe, and has been reported in Western Asia, China, and North Africa.
Enterographa bella is a species of foliicolous (leaf-dwelling) lichen in the family Roccellaceae. The lichen is characterised by its orange-brown, often wavy lirellae. Its photobiont partner is from the green algal genus Phycopeltis.
Melanotopelia is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Graphidaceae. It has four species of corticolous (bark-dwelling), crustose lichens. This genus includes species characterised by dark pigmentation in their exciple, non-amyloid ascospores, and specific secondary metabolites.
Synarthothelium is a genus of lichen-forming fungi of uncertain familial placement in the order Arthoniales. It has two species of corticolous (bark-dwelling) crustose lichens that occur in tropical regions of the Americas.
Leptogidium is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Pannariaceae. It has six species.
Megaloblastenia is a genus of crustose lichen-forming fungi in the family Megalosporaceae, comprising three species. Proposed by Dutch lichenologist Harrie Sipman in 1983, the genus is characterised by its thick, ecorticate thallus ranging from pale whitish-grey to yellowish, and its disc-like fruiting bodies (apothecia) that can be biatorine or lecideine. Megaloblastenia lichens form a symbiotic relationship with Dictyochloropsis algae, produce hyaline, bicellular ascospores with polaribilocular structure, and contain chemical compounds such as zeorin, pannarin, or usnic acid. Found in Australasia and South America, these lichens typically grow as epiphytes on trees in moist forests within temperate to tropical oceanic climates.
Pliariona is a fungal genus in the family Graphidaceae. It comprises the single species Pliariona montagnei, a corticolous (bark-dwelling) script lichen widely distributed across various tropical and subtropical regions.