Phormopsora

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Phormopsora
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Class: Lecanoromycetes
Order: Peltigerales
Family: Pannariaceae
Genus: Phormopsora
Elvebakk, S.G.Hong & C.H.Park (2020)
Species:
P. isabellina
Binomial name
Phormopsora isabellina
(Vain.) Elvebakk, S.G.Hong & C.H.Park (2020)
Synonyms
  • Psoroma isabellinumVain. (1899)
  • Pannaria isabellina(Vain.) Elvebakk & Bjerke (2005)

Phormopsora is a fungal genus in the family Pannariaceae. [1] [2] It comprises a single species, Phormopsora isabellina. The genus was proposed in 2020 based on molecular and morphological studies of a lichen previously classified in the genera Psoroma and Pannaria . Phormopsora is characterised by its large, scale-like structures called squamules that form pale grey rosettes, and by the presence of unique lichen substances not found in other members of its family. The species is primarily found in southern South America, particularly in Chile, where it grows on the trunks of evergreen Nothofagus trees in humid, temperate rainforests. Its distinctive features include well-developed structures containing nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria, and spores with a distinctive outer wall that has irregular swellings and thread-like extensions at the tips.

Contents

Taxonomy

Both the genus Phormopsora and its species were described as new to science in 2020 by the lichenologists Arve Elvebakk, Soon Gyu Hong, and Chae Haeng Park. The genus name comes from the Greek words phormós meaning 'mat' and psora meaning 'scale', referring to its thallus of large, often intertwining squamules . [3]

Phormopsora isabellina was originally described as Psoroma isabellinum by Edvard August Vainio in 1899, based on a specimen collected in Chile. The holotype specimen was collected by Franz Wilhelm Neger in 1897 at an elevation of 1,000 m (3,300 ft) in the Andean forest regions of Chile. It is housed in the herbarium of the University of Turku (TUR-V), with an isotype in the Botanische Staatssammlung München (M). [3]

The taxon was later transferred to the genus Pannaria as Pannaria isabellina by Elvebakk and Bjerke in 2005. Molecular phylogenetics analysis in 2020, based on internal transcribed spacer, nuclear large subunit rRNA, mitochondrial small subunit rRNA, and MCM7 genes, showed it formed a distinct lineage separate from Pannaria, leading to its placement in the new genus Phormopsora. [3]

The species epithet isabellina refers to the isabelline (pale grayish-yellow) colour of the lichen thallus. [3]

Phormopsora is distinguished from related genera in the Pannariaceae by its content of norstictic and connorstictic acids (unique in the family), large branched chlorobiont squamules with large foliose cephalodia, and bullate perispores with long apiculate extensions. [3]

Phylogenetically, Phormopsora forms a sister group to the genus Pannaria. In multi-locus analyses, it clusters with the genus Hispidopannaria , and together they form a sister group to Pannaria. However, this relationship is not consistently maintained across all single-gene phylogenies, indicating a complex evolutionary history. [3]

Description

Phormopsora is characterised by a thallus that is large- squamulose , meaning it is composed of small, scale-like structures called squamules . These squamules are typically 2–5 cm (0.8–2.0 in) in diameter, irregularly branched, and form pale grey rosettes. The thallus is often surrounded by a distinct prothallus, which is a thin layer of fungal hyphae extending beyond the main body of the lichen. The upper cortex , or outer layer, of the squamules is paraplectenchymatous , consisting of fungal cells with thick walls arranged in a tissue-like manner. [3]

A unique feature of Phormopsora is the presence of large, placodioid to foliose cephalodia. Cephalodia are specialised structures containing cyanobacteria, which are capable of fixing nitrogen. In Phormopspora, these structures are particularly well-developed and can be easily seen on the lichen surface. [3]

Apothecia (fruiting bodies) are common in Phormopsora. They have rufous brown discs (the spore-producing surface) with crenulate - striate margins, meaning the edges are finely notched and grooved. The hymenium, the fertile layer of the apothecium, turns blue when treated with iodine (IKI+ blue). [3]

The asci, structures that produce and contain spores, do not have internal amyloid structures (structures that turn blue-black when treated with iodine). The spores themselves are ellipsoid and surrounded by a distinctive perispore (outer spore wall). This perispore is described as gibbose , meaning it has irregular swellings or protuberances, and features long, filiform (thread-like) extensions at the tips. [3]

Phormopsora is notable for its unique chemistry among the family Pannariaceae. It contains norstictic and connorstictic acids, which can be detected through thin-layer chromatography. These lichen substances are not found in any other genus within the family, making them a key diagnostic feature for Phormopsora. [3]

Habitat and distribution

Phormopsora isabellina is primarily found in southern South America, with its main distribution in Chile and a single reported occurrence in Argentina. The species is most common in the Los Lagos (X) and Aisén (XI) regions of Chile, becoming rarer in the Magallanes (XII) region further south. Its northern limit is in the Nahuelbuta National Park in the Araucanía (IX) region. P. isabellina is closely associated with evergreen forests, particularly those dominated by Nothofagus betuloides and N. dombeyi . It is almost exclusively found growing on the trunks of these evergreen Nothofagus species, demonstrating a strong preference for this specific habitat. The lichen grows in the humid, temperate rainforest environments characteristic of these regions, typically at moderate elevations. [3]

Related Research Articles

<i>Psoroma</i> Genus of lichen-forming fungi

Psoroma is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Pannariaceae. The widespread genus contains about 30 species, most of which are found in south temperate regions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cephalodium</span> Morphological structure found in some lichens

A cephalodium (pl. cephalodia) is a small gall-like structure found in some lichens. They occur only lichens which contain both cyanobacterial and green algal partners. Cephalodia can occur within the tissues of the lichen, or on its upper or lower surface. Lichens with cephalodia can fix nitrogen, and may be an important contributor of nitrogen to the ecosystem.

Pannaria phyllidiata is a species of lichen in the family Pannariaceae. Known from Australia, it was described as new to science in 2011. It is characterised by its unique phyllidia and distinct distribution.

Gibbosporina is a genus of 13 species of foliose lichens in the family Pannariaceae. It contains species that molecular phylogenetic analysis clustered together in a clade previously referred to as the "Physma"-group. Despite their morphological differences, this group shares several uniting characteristics. They have ring-like excipular margins around the thallus; strongly amyloid internal ascus structures; well-developed perispores that feature irregular gibbae, but not verrucae ; lacks secondary compounds than can be detected by thin-layer chromatography; and have tropical distributions.

Gibbosporina acuminata is a species of foliose lichen in the family Pannariaceae. It was described as a new species in 2016 by Norwegian lichenologist Arve Elvebakk. The specific epithet, derived from the Latin acumen, refers to the spiked bumps (gibbae) on the spore covering. It occurs in the tropical forests of Queensland, Australia, and the Philippines.

Gibbosporina amphorella is a species of foliose lichen in the family Pannariaceae. It was described as a new species in 2016 by Arve Elvebakk and Soon Gyu Hong. The specific epithet, derived from the Latin amphora ("urn") and ella-, refers to the small pycnidia, that are shaped like urns. The lichen is only known to occur in a small subtropical forested area in New Caledonia.

Gibbosporina bifrons is a species of foliose lichen in the family Pannariaceae. It was described as a new species in 2016 by Arve Elvebakk, Soon Gyu Hong, and Per Magnus Jørgensen. The specific epithet bifrons, meaning "two-faced", refers to the well-developed and large cephalodia that occur with the green algal photobiont. The lichen occurs in the Philippines, Solomon Islands, Malaysia, and New Caledonia.

Gibbosporina boninensis is a species of foliose lichen in the family Pannariaceae. It was described as a new species in 1969 by Syo Kurokawa as Psoroma boninense. The type was collected on an andesite-rich rugged mountaintop of Mt. Tsutsuji in Chichijima, Japan. In 2016, Arve Elvebakk and Per Magnus Jørgensen transferred the taxon to the newly circumscribed genus Gibbosporina, of which it is the type species. The lichen occurs only in the isolated subtropical Bonin Islands, for which it is named.

Gibbosporina didyma is a rare species of foliose lichen in the family Pannariaceae. It was described as a new species in 2016 by Arve Elvebakk, Soon Gyu Hong, and Per Magnus Jørgensen. The specific epithet didyma, refers to the thallus being divided into a prominent cyanobiont in addition to the dominant chlorobiont, as well as to cephalodia that are sometimes divided by the developing apothecia of chlorobionts. The lichen is known from only two locations on Réunion and Mauritius; both are tropical forests at moderate altitudes, 500–600 m (1,600–2,000 ft).

Gibbosporina elixii is a species of foliose lichen in the family Pannariaceae. It is endemic to Queensland, Australia. The lichen was described as a new species in 2016 by Arve Elvebakk, Soon Gyu Hong, and Per Magnus Jørgensen. The specific epithet honours Australian lichenologist John Alan Elix. He collected the type from Mossman Gorge National Park, where he found it growing on the base of a tree in a tropical rainforest along Mossman River. It has also been found in the Cardwell Range.

Gibbosporina leptospora is a species of foliose lichen in the family Pannariaceae. It was described as a new species in 2016 by Norwegian lichenologist Arve Elvebakk. The specific epithet leptospora, which combines the Greek lepto ("thin") with spore, refers to the thin perispore. The lichen occurs in northeast Australia, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and New Caledonia.

Gibbosporina nitida is a species of foliose lichen in the family Pannariaceae. It was described as a new species in 2016 by Arve Elvebakk, Soon Gyu Hong, and Per Magnus Jørgensen. The specific epithet nitida, derived from the Latin nitidus ("glossy"), refers to the lustrous upper lobe surfaces. The lichen occurs in northeast Australia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, and Fiji.

Gibbosporina papillospora is a species of foliose lichen in the family Pannariaceae. It was described as a new species in 2016 by Norwegian lichenologist Arve Elvebakk. The type was collected from Mount Mariveles by American botanist Elmer Drew Merrill in 1908. The specific epithet nitida, derived from the Latin papilla, refers to the irregular surface of the perispore. The lichen is only known to occur in the Philippines.

Gibbosporina sphaerospora is a species of foliose lichen in the family Pannariaceae. It was described as a new species in 2016 by Arve Elvebakk and Soon Gyu Hong. The type was collected from Millaa Millaa Falls in Queensland, Australia, where it was found growing on fallen branches in a remnant rainforest near the falls. The specific epithet sphaerospora, which combines the Greek sphaero ("globose") with spora, refers to the spherical shape of the spores. The lichen occurs in Australia, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea.

Gibbosporina thamnophora is a species of foliose lichen in the family Pannariaceae. It was described as a new species in 2016 by Arve Elvebakk and Per Magnus Jørgensen. The type was collected from Eungella National Park in Queensland, Australia, where it was found growing on bark in a tropical rainforest near Broken River. The specific epithet thamnophora combines the Greek thamnos ("shrub") and -phora ("carrier"), and refers to the finely branched, shrubby cephalodia that are "carried" by the chlorobiont. The lichen occurs in Australia and Papua New Guinea.

Arve Elvebakk is a Norwegian mycologist and professor working from the Arctic University of Norway in Tromsø. He has published widely on Arctic biology, and climatology. Additionally, he collaborates with many mycologists across the world, and has published names for lichens in Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific, and South America, and the Antarctic.

Psorophorus is a genus of lichenized fungi in the family Pannariaceae. It contains 2 known species.

Hispidopannaria is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Pannariaceae. It comprises two species, both found exclusively in southern South America. The genus is characterised by its large, leafy structures covered with stiff, bristle-like hairs, giving the lichen a fuzzy appearance. These lichens form symbiotic relationships with both green algae and cyanobacteria, allowing them to photosynthesise. Hispidopannaria was established as a distinct genus in 2020, based on DNA analysis that showed it to be genetically distinct from the closely related genus Pannaria. The two known species inhabit different ecological niches: H. hispidula is found in temperate rainforests across Chile and Argentina, primarily growing on tree bark, while H. dasyclada is endemic to Robinson Crusoe Island in Chile, where it grows on rocks and on soil.

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.

Siphulastrum is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Pannariaceae. It has five species. The genus was circumscribed by Johannes Müller Argoviensis in 1889, with S. triste assigned as the type species.

References

  1. ↑ Wijayawardene, N.N.; Hyde, K.D.; Dai, D.Q.; Sánchez-García, M.; Goto, B.T.; Saxena, R.K.; et al. (2022). "Outline of Fungi and fungus-like taxa – 2021". Mycosphere. 13 (1): 53–453 [155]. doi:10.5943/mycosphere/13/1/2. hdl: 1854/LU-8754813 .
  2. ↑ "Phormopsora". Catalogue of Life . Species 2000: Leiden, the Netherlands. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Elvebakk, Arve; Hong, Soon Gyu; Park, Chae Haeng (2020). "Hispidopannaria and Phormopsora, two new and small, but evolutionary old Pannariaceae lichen genera from southern South America". Mycological Progress. 19 (11): 1353–1364. Bibcode:2020MycPr..19.1353E. doi: 10.1007/s11557-020-01632-1 .
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