Perigrapha superveniens

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Perigrapha superveniens
Perigrapha superveniens.png
Horizontal section of a gall soaked in water, showing perithecioid locules in fungal stroma .
Scale = 0.5 mm.
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Class: Arthoniomycetes
Order: Arthoniales
Genus: Perigrapha
Species:
P. superveniens
Binomial name
Perigrapha superveniens
(Nyl.) Hafellner (1996)
Synonyms [1]
  • Melanotheca superveniensNyl. (1864)
  • Metasphaeria superveniens(Nyl.) Sacc. & D.Sacc. (1905)

Perigrapha superveniens is a species of lichenicolous (lichen-dwelling) fungus of uncertain familial placement in the order Arthoniales. [2] It is the type species of the genus Perigrapha . It uses members of the foliose lichen genus Parmelia as its host. [3]

Contents

Taxonomy

The fungus was first formally described in 1864 by the Finnish lichenologist William Nylander, who classified it in the genus Melanotheca . The type specimen was collected in France, where it was found growing on the thallus of Parmelia sulcata . [4] Josef Hafellner transferred it to the genus Perigrapha in 1996. [5]

Description

Perigrapha superveniens is a species of lichenicolous fungus (a fungus that lives on lichens) that forms distinctive gall-like growths on its host lichen, primarily Parmelia sulcata. These galls appear as irregular, wavy outgrowths that are narrower at their base where they attach to the host lichen's surface. The fungus creates small, black, round to star-shaped discs on these galls, surrounded by a thick rim of host tissue. [6]

Inside the galls, P. superveniens has a complex internal structure composed of fungal tissue (called stroma ) containing numerous small chamber-like cavities (known as perithecioid locules ). These chambers house the fungus's reproductive structures, including specialised cells called asci that produce spores. Each ascus typically contains 4–8 spores and measures 75–100 micrometres (μm) long by 12–16 μm wide. [6]

The spores themselves have distinctive features: they are divided into four sections by three cross-walls (described as 3-septate), measure approximately 30–35 by 4.5–6 μm, and possess a clear outer coating ( perispore ). A unique characteristic of these spores is a thread-like appendage at one end. As the spores age, they develop a brownish colour and their surface becomes warty in texture. When treated with potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution, the brownish pigment in the upper layer of the fungal discs turns a dark reddish colour, which is useful for identification purposes. The species typically does not produce secondary reproductive structures called pycnidia. [6]

Perigrapha superveniens appears to be an obligate parasite, meaning it can only survive by growing on its host lichen, primarily Parmelia sulcata, though it has also been reported on Parmelia squarrosa in Japan. Previous reports of the fungus growing on other lichen species have been determined to be misidentifications of different lichenicolous fungi. [6]

Habitat and distribution

Perigrapha superveniens shows a strong preference for humid, coastal forest environments. In Norway, where it was first reported in 2021, the species is found in the northern regions of Trøndelag and Nordland, particularly in areas characterised as boreal rainforest. It inhabits various forest types, including deciduous boreal forests, mixed forests dominated by Norway spruce ( Picea abies ) and deciduous trees, and open woodlands where Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris ) and aspen ( Populus tremula ) are prevalent. The fungus has been found growing on its host lichen on various tree species, including aspen, rowan ( Sorbus aucuparia ), and goat willow ( Salix caprea ). [6]

The species appears to be closely associated with highly oceanic environments, particularly occurring in the southern boreal vegetation zone in areas marked by significant oceanic influence. In Norway, it is often found alongside other moisture-loving lichenicolous fungi, including Arthophacopsis parmeliarum , Nesolechia oxyspora , and various Plectocarpon species. [6]

Globally, P. superveniens has a scattered distribution across several continents, having been reported from: [6]

Despite its wide geographical range, the species appears to be relatively rare even within suitable habitats. For example, it was not detected during an extensive survey of Norwegian rainforest lichens, suggesting it may be genuinely scarce rather than simply overlooked, despite being relatively easy to spot in the field due to its distinctive appearance. [6]

Related Research Articles

<i>Parmelia</i> (fungus) Genus of lichens

Parmelia is a genus of medium to large foliose (leafy) lichens. It has a global distribution, extending from the Arctic to the Antarctic continent but concentrated in temperate regions. There are about 40 species in Parmelia. In recent decades, the once large genus Parmelia has been divided into a number of smaller genera according to thallus morphology and phylogenetic relatedness.

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

Parmelia sulcata, commonly known as the hammered shield lichen or cracked-shield lichen, is a foliose lichen in the family Parmeliaceae. First described by Thomas Taylor in 1836, it is one of the most prevalent lichen species globally, known for its resilience to pollution and cosmopolitan distribution across temperate and cold regions of both hemispheres. P. sulcata forms a circular thallus up to 10 cm (4 in) in diameter, with a glaucous white to grey upper surface and a black lower surface, featuring broadly lobed structures with both marginal and laminal soralia and a distinctive reticulate pattern of pseudocyphellae.

<i>Sphaerellothecium</i> Genus of fungi

Sphaerellothecium is a genus of fungi in the family Phyllachoraceae. All of the species in the genus are lichenicolous, meaning they grow parasitically on lichens.

Endococcus is a genus of lichenicolous (lichen-dwelling) in the family Lichenotheliaceae. It has 44 species. The genus was circumscribed by the Finnish botanist William Nylander in 1855. Although at least one source places the genus in the Verrucariaceae, a 2016 study of the type species, Endococcus rugulosus, determined that it should instead be placed in the family Lichenotheliaceae of the order Dothideales; this classification echoes a placement proposed in 1979 by David Hawksworth.

Sarcopyrenia is a genus of lichenicolous (lichen-dwelling) fungi. It has 11 species. It is the only genus in Sarcopyreniaceae, a family in the order Verrucariales. Sarcopyrenia was circumscribed by Finnish lichenologist William Nylander in 1858, with Sarcopyrenia gibba assigned as the type species. Sarcopyreniaceae is one of the few families composed entirely of lichenicolous fungi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xanthopyreniaceae</span> Family of fungi

Xanthopyreniaceae is a family of lichen-forming fungi in the order Collemopsidiales. The family was circumscribed by lichenologist Alexander Zahlbruckner in 1926.

<i>Perigrapha</i> (fungus) Genus of fungi

Perigrapha is a genus of fungi within the order Arthoniales that is parasitic on lichens. The genus has not been placed into a family.

<i>Phacopsis</i> Genus of fungi

Phacopsis is a genus of lichenicolous (lichen-dwelling) fungi. They are parasites of members of the large lichen family Parmeliaceae, of which they are also a member. Originally proposed by Edmond Tulasne in 1852 to contain 3 species, Phacopsis now contains 10 species, although historically, 33 taxa have been described in the genus. Many of the species are poorly known, some of them having been documented only from the type specimen.

Briancoppinsia is a fungal genus in the family Arthoniaceae. It is monotypic, containing the single species Briancoppinsia cytospora, a lichenicolous fungus that parasitises parmelioid lichens, as well as Cladonia, Lepra, and Lecanora conizaeoides, among others. The species was first described scientifically by Léon Vouaux in 1914 as Phyllosticta cytospora.

<i>Schaereria</i> Genus of lichen

Schaereria is a genus of lichen-forming fungi. It is the sole genus in the family Schaereriaceae, which itself is the only family in the Schaereriales, an order in the subclass Ostropomycetidae of the class Lecanoromycetes. Most Schaereria species are crustose lichens that live on rocks. Schaereria was first proposed by Gustav Wilhelm Körber in 1855 and was later taken up by other lichenologists despite periods of disuse.

Xenonectriella subimperspicua is a species of lichenicolous fungus in the family Nectriaceae. It has been recorded from South America, Europe, and New Zealand.

Nanostictis caucasica is a species of lichenicolous (lichen-eating) fungus in the family Stictidaceae. It is known to occur only in a single locality in the North Caucasus region of Southern Russia, where it grows parasitically on the foliose lichen Parmelia sulcata.

Halospora is a genus of lichenicolous (lichen-dwelling) fungi in the family Verrucariaceae. Species in the genus parasitise calcicolous crustose lichens, i.e., those that prefer lime-rich substrates.

Phacopsis thallicola is a species of lichenicolous (lichen-dwelling) fungus in the family Parmeliaceae. It was first formally described as a new species in 1852 by Italian botanist Abramo Bartolommeo Massalongo, as Lecidea thallicola. The type specimen, collected from the province of Treviso in Italy, was growing on the foliose lichen Parmelia caperata. Dagmar Triebel and Gerhard Walter Rambold transferred the taxon to the genus Phacopsis in 1988. The known generic hosts of Phacopsis thallicola are all in the Parmeliaceae: Parmotrema, Cetrelia, Flavopunctelia, and Hypotrachyna.

<i>Bryostigma</i> Genus of lichens

Bryostigma is a genus of fungi of uncertain familial placement in the order Arthoniales. The genus is characterised by its thin, patchy growth that either partially embeds into its growing surface or forms an irregular, granular surface, with distinctive red or blue iodine staining of its hyphae and very small fruiting bodies. Most Bryostigma species are parasitic (lichenicolous), growing on other lichens, though a few species like B. lapidicola grow independently on stone or moss. While the genus was initially established with a single species growing on moss, it was significantly expanded in 2020 when several species were transferred from the related genus Arthonia based on DNA analysis, though this taxonomic reclassification has been subject to some scientific dispute. As of 2024, the genus includes seventeen species – thirteen parasitic and four independent lichen species.

Pyrenidium is a genus of lichenicolous (lichen-dwelling) fungi. It is the only genus in the family Pyrenidiaceae. It has 13 species.

Protothelenella is a genus of fungi in the family Protothelenellaceae. It contains 11 species, some of which form lichens. Protothelenella species have a crustose thallus with spherical to pear-shaped, dark brown to blackish perithecia. Microscopic characteristics of the genus include bitunicate asci with an amyloid tholus, and ascospores that are colourless and contain multiple internal partitions. Some species grow on acidic substrates including rocks, soil, bryophytes, plant detritus or rotten wood. Other species are lichenicolous (lichen-dwelling), growing on species of Solorina, Peltigera, Pseudocyphellaria, or Cladonia.

<i>Phacographa</i> Genus of fungi

Phacographa is a genus of lichenicolous (lichen-dwelling) fungi in the family Roccellaceae. It has three species.

Lichenoconium edgewoodense is a species of lichenicolous (lichen-dwelling) fungus in the family Lichenoconiaceae. This parasitic fungus was described as a new species in 1998 by Vagn Alstrup and Mariette S. Cole. The species epithet, originally published with the spelling edgewoodensis, was later corrected to edgewoodense. The host of the fungus is the common and widespread foliose lichen species Parmelia sulcata. Lichenoconium edgewoodense has been recorded from British Columbia (Canada) and South Greenland.

References

  1. ↑ "GSD Species Synonymy. Current Name: Perigrapha superveniens (Nyl.) Hafellner, Nova Hedwigia 63(1-2): 174 (1996)". Species Fungorum . Retrieved 9 December 2024.
  2. ↑ "Perigrapha superveniens (Nyl.) Hafellner". Catalogue of Life . Species 2000: Leiden, the Netherlands. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
  3. ↑ Diederich, Paul; Lawrey, James D.; Ertz, Damien (2018). "The 2018 classification and checklist of lichenicolous fungi, with 2000 non-lichenized, obligately lichenicolous taxa". The Bryologist. 121 (3): 340–425 [352]. doi:10.1639/0007-2745-121.3.340.
  4. ↑ Nylander, W. (1864). "Pyrenocarpei quidam europaei novi" [Some new European pyrenocarps]. Flora (in Latin). 47: 353–358.
  5. ↑ Hafellner, J. (1996). "Studien an lichenicolen Pilzen und Flechten VIII. Perigrapha, eine neue Ascomycetengattung für "Melanotheca" superveniens Nyl. (Arthoniales)". Nova Hedwigia (in German). 63 (1–2): 173–181.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Holien, Håkon; Frisch, Andreas (2022). "Perigrapha superveniens (Nyl.) Hafellner, a lichenicolous fungus new to Fennoscandia from Norway" (PDF). Graphis Scripta. 34 (3): 36–41. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
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