Phyllocraterina

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Phyllocraterina
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Class: Dothideomycetes
Order: Strigulales
Family: Strigulaceae
Genus: Phyllocraterina
Sérus. & Aptroot (2020)
Species

P. nuda
P. papuana

Synonyms [1]
  • PhyllocrateraSérus. & Aptroot (1997)

Phyllocraterina is a small genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Strigulaceae. [2] It comprises two species of leaf-dwelling (foliicolous) lichens. [3]

Contents

Taxonomy

The genus was first proposed as Phyllocratera by the lichenologists Emmanuël Sérusiaux and André Aptroot in 1997. [4] This name, however, was later deemed illegitimate under Article 53.1 of the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants, due to prior use in botany. A similar name, Phyllocrater Wernham , had been established in 1914 for a genus in the family Rubiaceae. [5] The Nomenclature Committee for Fungi determined that the similarity between Phyllocratera and Phyllocrater constituted a case of parahomonymy, leading to its invalidation. [6] As a result, Sérusiaux and Aptroot established Phyllocraterina as a replacement name, publishing it alongside the type species Phyllocraterina papuana. While the genus currently includes two species, molecular data are not yet available for either. [6]

Description

Phyllocraterina species are tropical lichens that grow on the surfaces of leaves in lowland to montane regions. Their thalli (lichen bodies) are thin, grey-green, and slightly crust-like, forming a close bond with their green algae partner, Phycopeltis . The reproductive structures (the perithecia ) are black and wart-like, with a broad base and a small pore at the top for spore release. These structures have tough, carbon-rich walls and a protective outer layer. [6]

Inside the perithecia, there are slender, unbranched filaments (paraphyses) that are clear and measure about 1.5–2 micrometres wide. The spore-producing cells (asci) contain eight spores each. These asci are structured in a way that allows them to split open for spore release. The spores themselves are transparent, have multiple internal walls, and are shaped like elongated ellipses with a slight pinch at the middle. So far, no form of asexual reproduction has been observed, and no chemical compounds (lichen products) unique to these lichens have been detected. [6]

Species

References

  1. "Synonymy. Current Name: Phyllocraterina Sérus. & Aptroot, in Hongsanan et al., Fungal Diversity: 10.1007/s13225-020-00462-6, [133] (2020)". Species Fungorum . Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  2. "Phyllocraterina". Catalogue of Life . Species 2000: Leiden, the Netherlands. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  3. Hyde, K.D.; Noorabadi, M.T.; Thiyagaraja, V.; He, M.Q.; Johnston, P.R.; Wijesinghe, S.N.; et al. (2024). "The 2024 Outline of Fungi and fungus-like taxa". Mycosphere. 15 (1): 5146–6239 [5225]. doi:10.5943/mycosphere/15/1/25. hdl: 1854/LU-8660838 .
  4. Aptroot, André; Diederich, Paul; Sérusiaux, Emmanuël; Sipman, Harrie J.M. (1997). Lichens and Lichenicolous Fungi from New Guinea. Bibliotheca Lichenologica. Vol. 64. J. Cramer. p. 132. ISBN   978-3-443-58043-8.
  5. "Record Details: Phyllocratera Sérus. & Aptroot, Biblthca Lichenol. 64: 132 (1997)". Index Fungorum . Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Hongsanan, Sinang; Hyde, Kevin D.; Phookamsak, Rungtiwa; Wanasinghe, Dhanushka N.; McKenzie, Eric H. C.; Sarma, V. Venkateswara; et al. (2020). "Refined families of Dothideomycetes: orders and families incertae sedis in Dothideomycetes". Fungal Diversity. 105 (1): 17–318. doi: 10.1007/s13225-020-00462-6 .