Peltigera alkalicola | |
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Various images of Peltigera alkalicola; scales: A, C–E = 0.5 cm; B = 1 cm | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Fungi |
Division: | Ascomycota |
Class: | Lecanoromycetes |
Order: | Peltigerales |
Family: | Peltigeraceae |
Genus: | Peltigera |
Species: | P. alkalicola |
Binomial name | |
Peltigera alkalicola Kaasalainen (2022) | |
Holotype: Kilimanjaro National Park, Tanzania |
Peltigera alkalicola is a rare species of terricolous (ground-dwelling) foliose lichen in the family Peltigeraceae. [1] First described in 2022 from specimens collected in the Kilimanjaro National Park in Tanzania, it is characterised by its unique ecological preferences. Analysis of DNA samples indicate that the lichen may also occur in Alaska, USA, and Ningxia, China, suggesting a wider distribution in cold, montane ecosystems.
Peltigera alkalicola was formally described by the Finnish lichenologist Ulla Kaasalainen in 2022. It is closely related to Peltigera lepidophora but can be distinguished by its smaller size, the distinct colour of its isidia, and its genetic makeup. The type specimen of Peltigera alkalicola was collected in Tanzania within the Kilimanjaro National Park, specifically between the Maua and Marangu routes. It was found on soil amidst Helichrysum heath at an elevation of 4,390 m (14,400 ft). This collection, made on 8 June 2017, is designated as the holotype. The specific epithet alkalicola refers to the species' preference for alkaline substrates, particularly the alkaline trachybasaltic lava found in its type locality. [2]
Peltigera alkalicola forms a small thallus, typically 1–5 cm (3⁄8–2 in) in diameter, but usually smaller, about 1–2 cm (3⁄8–3⁄4 in). It has thick, rounded to elongate lobes that are up to 1–2 cm long and 1 cm wide. The lobes often have rounded ends with upturned margins and may appear slightly crisped. The upper surface is tomentose , often slightly scabrous , and greyish-brown in colour. In contrast, the lower surface is generally white to pale brown, with veins that are the same colour or slightly darker and rhizines that are more abundant centrally, becoming shorter near the margins. This species develops peltate isidia, which are small, dark brown to almost black outgrowths on the upper surface that are distinctly darker than the thallus surface. [2]
The species does not typically produce apothecia (sexual reproductive structures) or pycnidia (asexual reproductive structures), and no secondary metabolites (lichen products) have been detected by thin-layer chromatography. All standard chemical spot tests are negative. [2]
Peltigera alkalicola is found in high-elevation habitats, specifically in open, subalpine and alpine heathlands at elevations between 3,940 and 4,390 m (12,930 and 14,400 ft). It is adapted to growing on trachybasaltic volcanic rock, a type of alkaline substrate , and is often associated with sparse vegetation and bryophytes. At the time of its original publication, the species was known to occur only from a few locations on Mt Kilimanjaro and is considered rare. The collection sites for Peltigera alkalicola receive between 900 and 1,100 mm (35 and 43 in) of rainfall annually, maintain a relative humidity of 60 to 80%, and have an average annual temperature of 4 °C (39 °F). [2]
Initially discovered in Tanzania, genetic analysis suggests that Peltigera alkalicola may also be present in Alaska, USA, and Ningxia, China, indicating a wider distribution across diverse and extreme habitats. This distribution pattern highlights the species' preference for cold, montane regions and alkaline substrata. [2]
Peltigera is a genus of approximately 100 species of foliose lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. Commonly known as the dog or pelt lichens, species of Peltigera are often terricolous, but can also occur on moss, trees, rocks, and many other substrates in many parts of the world.
Parmelia asiatica is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling) foliose lichen in the family Parmeliaceae. It occurs in China and the Russian Far East, where it grows on Rhododendron tree trunks in temperate regions. It was Described as new to science in 2011 by lichenologists Ana Crespo and Pradeep Divakar. The species is distinguished by its terminal soralia, marginal linear pseudocyphellae, and chemical composition, which includes the substances atranorin and salazinic acid. Parmelia asiatica is similar to Parmelia protosulcata but differs in the presence of salazinic acid and its distribution in Southeast Asia.
Sticta venosa is a species of terricolous (ground-dwelling), foliose lichen in the family Peltigeraceae. It is known only from Pichincha Province, Ecuador, and from Colombia. It was described as new to science in 2011.
Allocetraria corrugata is a species of foliose lichen in the family Parmeliaceae. It is found in high-elevation locations in Yunnan, China, where it grows on rocks with mosses.
Parmelia isidiiveteris is a fossilised species of foliose lichen in the family Parmeliaceae. It was found in Dominican amber and described as a new species in 2000. It was tentatively placed in the genus Parmelia although its true generic placement is difficult to determine with only a single specimen available for analysis.
Peltigera rufescens, the field dog lichen or field pelt, is a species of terricolous (ground-dwelling), foliose lichen in the family Peltigeraceae. The common and widespread species has a cosmopolitan distribution. The lichen has a surface that is densely covered with a soft, velvety layer, extending from the edges to the centre. The edges of this lichen typically curl upwards, revealing lobes that can be up to 10 millimetres wide. Beneath, it possesses a network of rhizines, which are root-like structures that merge together into a thick mat, anchoring the lichen to its substrate.
Peltigera shennongjiana is a species of terricolous (ground-dwelling), foliose lichen in the family Peltigeraceae. Found in Central China, it was formally described as a new species in 2019 by Liu-Fu Han and Shou-Yu Guo. The type specimen was collected from Laojunshan Mountain in the Shennongjia Forestry District at an elevation of 900 m (3,000 ft); here it was found growing on mosses over rocks and soil. The species epithet refers to the type locality.
Peltigera wulingensis is a species of terricolous (ground-dwelling), foliose lichen in the family Peltigeraceae. Originally described from specimens found in northern China, it has since been recorded in Canada, Norway, and Russia.
Solorina crocea, commonly known as the orange chocolate chip lichen, is a species of terricolous (ground-dwelling) and foliose (leafy) lichen in the family Peltigeraceae. The lichen, which was first formally described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753, has an arctic–alpine and circumpolar distribution and occurs in Asia, Europe, North America, and New Zealand. It generally grows on the bare ground in sandy soils, often in moist soil near snow patches or seepage areas. Although several forms and varieties of the lichen have been proposed in its history, these are not considered to have any independent taxonomic significance.
Hypogymnia pruinoidea is a species of foliose lichen in the family Parmeliaceae. Found in China, it was formally described as a new species in 2012 by Xin-Li Wei and Jiang-Chun Wei. The type specimen was collected from Mt. Taibaishan (Shaanxi) at an elevation of 2,800 m (9,200 ft), where it was found growing on the trunk of Abies. It is only known to occur at this location, a cool and moist montane environment supporting lichen-rich forests and woodlands. The species epithet refers to the pruinose upper thallus surface and lobe tips.
Pseudevernia consocians is a species of lichen in the family Parmeliaceae. It is found in both North America and Central America. Some characteristic features of Pseudevernia consocians are its well-developed, numerous isidia, relatively narrow lobes, and the presence of the lichen product lecanoric acid.
Sticta viviana is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling), foliose lichen in the family Peltigeraceae. It is found in Colombia, where it grows on the branches and twigs of shrubs and treelets in high-elevation páramo habitat.
Peltigera weberi is a rare species of foliose lichen in the family Peltigeraceae. It is found in Papua New Guinea, where it grows on road banks and on earth and rock debris.
Peltigera seneca is a rare species of foliose lichen in the family Peltigeraceae. Native to eastern North America, it was first identified in Pennsylvania's Tioga State Forest, where it grows on humus and mossy rocks. It is similar to the Peltigera polydactylon, but with distinct genetic, geographic, and chemical characteristics. P. seneca is characterized by its small thalli with narrow lobes and a pale zone on margins of its lower thallus surface.
Hypogymnia saxicola is a rare species of foliose lichen in the family Parmeliaceae. Found in Yunnan and Sichuan provinces of China, it forms delicate cushions on mossy rocks in subalpine regions. It is characterised by its slender, glossy brown lobes and unique chemistry.
Hypotrachyna constictovexans is a little-known species of foliose lichen in the family Parmeliaceae. Known only from a single specimen collected in 1976, it is found in the highlands of Peru. Its thallus can grow over 5 cm wide, featuring long, straight, and separate lobes that are highly convex and tube-like, with a pale grey, slightly shiny upper surface adorned with cylindrical isidia.
Pyxine petricola is a species of saxicolous (rock-dwelling), foliose lichen in the family Caliciaceae. The distribution of the lichen includes Australia, East Africa, North and Central America, and the Philippines.
Peltigera cinnamomea, the dog pelt or cinnamon-pelt lichen, is a species of muscicolous (moss-dwelling), foliose lichen in the family Peltigeraceae. The species was formally described by the Canadian lichenologist Trevor Goward in 1995. The lichen is found in forested regions of northwestern North America, particularly in the unique montane and subalpine forest communities of the northern Rocky Mountains. Notably, Peltigera cinnamomea thrives under prolonged snow cover, surviving well into the spring, which distinguishes it from many of the other Peltigera species that inhabit similar North American forest ecosystems.
Peltigera castanea is a species of terricolous and muscicolous, foliose lichen in the family Peltigeraceae. Described as a new species in 2003, it is part of the taxonomically challenging species complex centred around Peltigera didactyla. Recognised based on phylogenetic studies that highlighted its unique genetic markers, P. castanea is distinguished by its dark, chestnut-coloured upper surface, which inspired its vernacular name, chestnut pelt lichen. Its known distribution includes North America, Asia, Europe (Estonia), Greenland, and the Antarctic. The conservation status of Peltigera castanea varies regionally, from being critically imperiled in British Columbia and Yukon to critically endangered in Estonia due to significant habitat degradation and restricted population size.
Peltigera isidiophora is a species of foliose lichen in the family Peltigeraceae. It is characterised by its laminal clustered isidia that grow in pits, a shiny and scarred grey upper surface, and its thin, sparse, and simple rhizines. It is known only from its original collection location in Hebei, China, where it grows on moss and on soil in montane forest.