| Synarthothelium | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Ascomycota |
| Class: | Arthoniomycetes |
| Order: | Arthoniales |
| Genus: | Synarthothelium Sparrius (2009) |
| Type species | |
| Synarthothelium sipmanianum Sparrius (2009) | |
| Species | |
Synarthothelium is a genus of lichen-forming fungi of uncertain familial placement in the order Arthoniales. [1] It has two species of corticolous (bark-dwelling) crustose lichens that occur in tropical regions of the Americas. [2]
The genus was circumscribed by the Dutch lichenologist Laurens Sparrius in 2009. Synarthothelium is distinguished from other genera in the Arthoniaceae by the presence of a thalline margin surrounding its reproductive structures (ascomata). While superficially resembling some members of the family Roccellaceae, such as Schismatomma and Mazosia , Synarthothelium differs in its ascus structure and larger spores. The asci are clavate (club-shaped) to globose (roughly spherical), similar to those found in Arthothelium (referred to as Arthothelium-type), and contain large ascospores . [3]
The genus shares some characteristics with Cryptothecia and Stirtonia , which also have large spores and similar asci. However, these genera lack distinct ascomata and have different thallus structures. Synarthothelium can be further distinguished from Arthonia, Arthothelium, and Synarthonia based on various morphological features. [3]
Another genus in the Arthoniaceae with a thalline margin is Amazonomyces , but it is strictly leaf-dwelling (foliicolous), has differently shaped spores, and produces abundant reproductive structures with very large conidia. The ascomata of Synarthothelium most closely resemble those of Arthothelium, but differ in having a thalline exciple , a carbonised excipulum, and non- muriform ascospores. [3]
The genus Paradoxomyces , while sharing some features with Synarthothelium, lacks a thalline margin and is known only as a lichenicolous fungus (growing on other lichens) without its own visible thallus or associated algae. [3]
Synarthothelium was originally classified tentatively in the family Arthoniaceae [4] before being placed as incertae sedis (uncertain position) in the order Arthoniales in 2016, because of a lack of molecular sequence data. [5]
The genus Synarthothelium is known from two species, both found in tropical regions of the Americas. These lichens are corticolous, meaning they grow on tree bark. Synarthothelium sipmanianum , the type species of the genus, has been recorded in Venezuela. It was discovered on Cerro Guaiquinima , a tepui in Bolívar State, at elevations between approximately 1000 and 1500 metres above sea level. The species was found growing on the base of Stegolepis plants and in forested areas along small streams. [3]
Synarthothelium cerebriforme , the second known species in the genus, has been collected in Costa Rica. It was found in San Gerardo de Dota, a cloud forest located in San José Province, at an elevation of about 2800 metres. The specimen was collected from a sapling in a mixed, open Quercus (oak) forest on a steep slope. [3]
The Arthoniales is the second largest order of mainly crustose lichens, but fruticose lichens are present as well. The order contains around 1500 species, while the largest order with lichenized fungi, the Lecanorales, contains more than 14000 species.
The Arthoniaceae are a family of lichenized, lichenicolous and saprobic fungi in the order Arthoniales. The Arthoniaceae is the largest family of Arthoniales, with around 800 species. Most species in Arthoniaceae belong in Arthonia which is the largest genus with 500 species. The second and third largest genus is Arthothelium with 80 species, and Cryptothecia with 60 species.
The Roccellaceae are a family of fungi in the order Arthoniales, circumscribed by French botanist François Fulgis Chevallier in 1826. This family is distinguished by a wide variety of growth forms, including crustose and fruticose thalli, and a diverse range of reproductive structures. Roccellaceae species typically have apotheciate or lirellate ascomata, often with distinct carbonised (blackened) margins. The family has been extensively studied through molecular phylogenetics, revealing significant genetic diversity and complex evolutionary histories.
The Pertusariales are an order of fungi in the class Lecanoromycetes, comprising 8 families, 31 genera, and over 600 species, many of which form lichens. This diverse group is characterized by complex taxonomic history and ongoing phylogenetic revisions. Originally proposed by Maurice Choisy in 1949 and later formally published by the lichenologists David L. Hawksworth and Ove Eriksson in 1986, Pertusariales has undergone significant reclassification due to molecular phylogenetics studies. The order includes well-known genera such as Pertusaria and Ochrolechia, as well as families like Megasporaceae and Icmadophilaceae.
Megaspora is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Megasporaceae. It contains four species of crustose lichens that typically grow on soil, bryophytes, or plant litter on chalky substrates.
Lecanographaceae is a family of mostly lichens in the order Arthoniales. The family was circumscribed in 2014, prompted by a molecular phylogenetic-based restructuring of the Arthoniales.
Angiactis is a genus of crustose lichens of uncertain familial placement in the order Arthoniales. It has four species.
Austrographa is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Roccellaceae. It has three species. The genus was circumscribed in 2013 by lichenologists Laurens Sparrius, John Elix, and Alan Archer, with Austrographa kurriminensis assigned as the type species. The genus had been published invalidly on two separate occasions. All three species in the genus were found in a mangrove stand in Queensland, Australia. The genus was discovered in Australia, and the name Austrographa reflects this.
Fulvophyton is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Roccellographaceae. It has 11 species. Fulvophyton is characterised by its crust-like thallus, which is often pale yellowish-brown in colour. This genus features a photobiont from the green algal genus Trentepohlia and exhibits a unique arrangement of reproductive structures.
Neosergipea is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Roccellaceae. It has four species, all of which are corticolous (bark-dwelling), crustose lichens that are found in the tropical forests of Brazil. This genus is related to the genera Dichosporidium, Enterographa, and Erythrodecton. It distinguishes itself through unique morphological characteristics and certain chemical constituents, in particular, its non-carbonised ascomata and the presence of a vivid orange anthraquinone compound.
Aspiciliopsis is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Trapeliaceae. It has two species, both of which occur in the Southern Hemisphere.
Calogaya orientalis is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling) and muscicolous lichen (moss-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Teloschistaceae. It is found in arid steppe and desert habitats in Northwestern China, Iran, and Turkey. The thallus of this lichen is reduced, similar to species in the genus Athallia.
Coniocarpon is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Arthoniaceae. It has eight species of corticolous (bark-dwelling) lichens. This genus is distinct for its crystalline orange, red, and purple quinoid pigments in the ascomata that turn purple in potassium hydroxide solution, its colourless, transversely septate ascospores with large apical cells, and its rounded to lirellate ascomata.
The Pyrenotrichaceae are a small family of fungi in the order Chaetothyriales. It contains two genera, and a total of six species. The genus Pyrenothrix has two species of bark- or leaf-dwelling lichens, while Neophaeococcomyces has four species of saprobic fungi.
Seawardiella is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Teloschistaceae. It contains two species of corticolous (bark-dwelling) crustose lichens.
Fominiella is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Teloschistaceae. It contains two species with a thin, film like and inconspicuous thallus.
Mangoldia is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the subfamily Graphidoideae of the family Graphidaceae. It contains four species of corticolous (bark-dwelling) script lichens.
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.
Cryptophaea is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Arthoniaceae. Initially described as a monotypic genus in 2016 with the type species, C. phaeospora, from the Congo Basin, it was expanded in 2024 to include four species of crustose lichens found in Brazil. Cryptophaea species are characterised by their firmly attached thalli, which are typically whitish grey-green and hydrophobic. The genus has diverse morphological features, including pseudoisidia and soredia in some species. Cryptophaea lichens are corticolous, growing on tree bark in various tropical forest ecosystems, from near sea level to elevations over 1000 metres. Recent molecular phylogenetic studies have revealed complex relationships between Cryptophaea and other genera within Arthoniaceae, suggesting potential taxonomic revisions may be necessary as more data becomes available.
Sparria is a small genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Opegraphaceae.