| Tylocliostomum | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Ascomycota |
| Class: | Lecanoromycetes |
| Order: | Lecanorales |
| Family: | Ramalinaceae |
| Genus: | Tylocliostomum van den Boom & Magain (2020) |
| Species: | T. viridifarinosum |
| Binomial name | |
| Tylocliostomum viridifarinosum van den Boom & Magain (2020) | |
Tylocliostomum is a fungal genus in the family Ramalinaceae. [1] [2] It comprises the single species Tylocliostomum viridifarinosum. [3]
The genus Tylocliostomum was circumscribed in 2020 by the lichenologists Pieter P.G. van den Boom and Nicolas Magain. It is distinguished from the related genus Tylothallia by several microscopic features, including its different spore-containing structures ( Catillaria -type asci) and simpler filaments in the reproductive tissue (simple paraphyses). Unlike the somewhat similar-looking genus Cliostomum , it lacks spore-producing structures called pycnidia and has a different cellular arrangement in its fruiting body wall. The genus name Tylocliostomum alludes to its evolutionary relationships and appearance, combining elements of two related genera: Tylothallia, with which it shares genetic ancestry, and Cliostomum, which it resembles in its outward appearance (particularly species like C. griffithii ). [3]
Tylocliostomum viridifarinosum forms a thin, continuous crust on its substrate , with a distinctive powdery or mealy (farinose) texture. The surface consists of tiny green granules ( goniocysts ) measuring 8–20 micrometres (μm) in diameter. The lichen's reproductive structures (apothecia) are small, ranging from 0.15 to 0.4 millimetres across, and vary from flat to slightly convex. These apothecia have a rim ( proper margin ) that is either the same colour as or slightly paler than the central disc , though this rim often disappears as the structure matures. The disc itself can be white to pale cream, sometimes with a slight yellowish tinge, or occasionally medium grey with a bluish-grey cast. [3]
When examined microscopically, the spores are narrowly ellipsoid to rod-shaped ( bacillar ), measuring 11–17 by 2.5–3.2 μm, with a single cross-wall (septum) and thin walls. Each spore-producing sac (ascus) contains eight spores. The species contains no detectable lichen substances when tested with standard chemical spot tests. [3]
At the time of its original publication, Tylocliostomum viridifarinosum was known only from its type locality in Madeira, Portugal, where it was discovered at Chão dos Louros. The lichen grows abundantly on the twigs of Erica shrubs in this area, sharing its habitat with two other lichen species: Cliomegalaria symmictoides and Endohyalina ericina . It was found at an elevation of 825 metres above sea level in an area characterised by mature trees along laurel forest (laurisilva). [3]
The Ramalinaceae are a family of lichen-forming fungi in the order Lecanorales. First proposed by Carl Adolph Agardh in 1821, the family now comprises 63 genera and about 750 species. Ramalinaceae lichens exhibit diverse growth forms, including crustose, fruticose, squamulose, leprose, and byssoid thalli, and form symbiotic relationships primarily with green algae of the genus Trebouxia. The family is characterised by pale-coloured thalli, apothecia that are typically pale but may darken with age, and ascospores that vary in shape and septation.
Schadonia is a genus of lichen-forming fungi. Established by German lichenologist Gustav Wilhelm Körber in 1859, this genus of crustose lichens is characterised by its black, sessile apothecia, muriform ascospores, and growth on mosses, plant debris, and rocks in montane habitats. While traditionally placed in the family Ramalinaceae, recent studies have suggested its classification may be uncertain within the order Lecanorales, with some researchers proposing its placement in the Pilocarpaceae or the resurrection of the family Schadoniaceae. The genus currently comprises four recognised species.
Gallaicolichen is a fungal genus that contains the single species Gallaicolichen pacificus, a foliicolous (leaf-dwelling) lichen. Originally discovered in Hawaii in 2007, G. pacificus has since been found in various locations across the Pacific, including Australia, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, the Philippines, and Japan. The lichen forms small, pale greenish-yellow to yellowish-grey patches on leaves, typically in mid-altitude forests and along forest edges. G. pacificus is notable for its unique reproductive structures called peltidiangia, which produce disc-shaped propagules (peltidia) for asexual reproduction. Initially, its taxonomic classification was uncertain, but recent discoveries of specimens with sexual reproductive structures have enabled scientists to confidently place it within the family Porinaceae.
Pertusaria albineoides is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Pertusariaceae. Found on the Galápagos Islands, it was formally described as a new species in 2015 by Frank Bungartz, A.W.Archer, Alba Yánez-Ayabaca, and John Elix. The type specimen was collected on Alcedo Volcano at an altitude of 1,089 m (3,573 ft), where it was found growing on a partially shaded, rain- and wind-exposed trunk of Scalesia microcephala. The species epithet refers to the similarity to the species Pertusaria albinea, from which it differs by having thin-walled ellipsoid-shaped ascospores that are longer and narrower.
Aspiciliopsis is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Trapeliaceae. It has two species, both of which occur in the Southern Hemisphere.
Flavoplaca oasis is a species of saxicolous (rock-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Teloschistaceae. It is widely distributed across Europe, and has been reported in Western Asia, China, and North Africa.
Myochroidea is a genus of lichen-forming fungi of uncertain familial placement in the order Lecanorales. It has four species of grey or brown-grey crustose lichens.
Tapellaria intermedia is a little-known species of foliicolous (leaf-dwelling) crustose lichen in the family Pilocarpaceae. It occurs in Bolivia.
Ochrolechia gowardii is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Ochrolechiaceae. First described in 1991 by the Canadian lichenologist Irwin M. Brodo, this lichen is characterised by its very thin, yellowish-white body (thallus) that partially embeds into tree bark. O. gowardii has small, powdery structures (soralia) that produce asexual reproductive granules, and its disc-like fruiting bodies (apothecia) with pale yellow-orange to light orange centres. O. gowardii can be found in parts of northwestern North America and Scandinavia, typically growing on subalpine fir or Norway spruce trees.
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.
Meridianelia is a fungal genus in the family Elixiaceae. It consists of the single species Meridianelia maccarthyana, a corticolous (bark-dwelling), crustose lichen. This lichen forms greyish-white, crust-like growths on tree bark in subalpine woodlands of Tasmania, Australia. Discovered in 2003 and scientifically described in 2009, Meridianelia is classified in the small fungal family Elixiaceae based on its genetic and structural characteristics. The genus is notable for its unique reproductive structures and its apparent rarity, having been found in only a few locations despite growing in a relatively common type of forest.
Boreoplaca is a fungal genus in the family Ophioparmaceae. It comprises the single species Boreoplaca ultrafrigida, a saxicolous (rock-dwelling), squamulose lichen. Both the genus and species were described in 1994 by the Norwegian lichenologist Einar Timdal. The lichen is found in Eastern Siberia, the Russian Far East as well as in adjacent territories of north-east China, and in South Korea. The main characteristics of the lichen are its squamulose thallus, black lecideine apothecia, and Fuscidea-type asci.
Leptogidium is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Pannariaceae. It has six species.
Megaloblastenia is a genus of crustose lichen-forming fungi in the family Megalosporaceae, comprising three species. Proposed by Dutch lichenologist Harrie Sipman in 1983, the genus is characterised by its thick, ecorticate thallus ranging from pale whitish-grey to yellowish, and its disc-like fruiting bodies (apothecia) that can be biatorine or lecideine. Megaloblastenia lichens form a symbiotic relationship with Dictyochloropsis algae, produce hyaline, bicellular ascospores with polaribilocular structure, and contain chemical compounds such as zeorin, pannarin, or usnic acid. Found in Australasia and South America, these lichens typically grow as epiphytes on trees in moist forests within temperate to tropical oceanic climates.
Leprantha is a fungal genus in the family Arthoniaceae. It comprises a single species, Leprantha cinereopruinosa, a corticolous (bark-dwelling), crustose lichen.
Transdrakea is a small genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Teloschistaceae. It comprises two species of crustose lichens that grow on rocks. The genus is characterised by its poorly developed thallus, zeorine apothecia, and small ascospores with thin septa. Chemically, Transdrakea species contain anthraquinones, particularly parietin.
Lithocalla is a small genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Ramalinaceae. It comprises two known species that form crust-like growths with a powdery texture on rocks. The genus was established in 2020 based on genetic analysis of species previously classified under different genera. Lithocalla lichens are characterised by their pale yellow-green colour and their preference for sheltered, shaded rock surfaces. They lack visible reproductive structures and likely spread through fragmentation. The two species have distinct geographical distributions: L. ecorticata is found mainly in Great Britain and Norway, while L. malouina is native to the Falkland Islands.
Ramalina europaea is a species of fruticose lichen in the family Ramalinaceae. This species is widely distributed across Europe and is distinguished by its small, punctiform (point-like) soralia that often develop terminally on spine-like branchlets.
Cliomegalaria is a fungal genus in the family Ramalinaceae. It comprises the single species Cliomegalaria symmictoides, a corticolous (bark-dwelling), crustose lichen found in the Azores.