Zeroviella esfahanensis

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Zeroviella esfahanensis
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Class: Lecanoromycetes
Order: Teloschistales
Family: Teloschistaceae
Genus: Zeroviella
Species:
Z. esfahanensis
Binomial name
Zeroviella esfahanensis
S.Y.Kondr., Zarei-Darki & Hur (2015)

Zeroviella esfahanensis is a species of saxicolous (rock-dwelling) foliose lichen in the family Teloschistaceae. [1] It is found in various locations across the Palearctic realm, having been recorded in Europe, Asia, and North Africa, where it grows in alpine and cold desert areas. [2]

Contents

Taxonomy

Zeroviella esfahanensis was described by Sergey Kondratyuk, Behrouz Zarei-Darki, and Jae-Seoun Hur. Its species epithet is derived from the Esfahan Province in Iran, where the type specimen was collected. Its location specifics are Esfahan Province, roughly 250 km (160 miles) south of Tehran, near the outskirts of the Natanz settlement within the Karkas hunting-prohibited Region, at an altitude of 2,530 m (8,300 ft). [2]

Molecular studies have shown that the taxonomic position of Zeroviella esfahanensis remains somewhat uncertain. While certain genetic markers suggest it belongs to the Zeroviella group, others place it within Rusavskia . [2]

Description

This lichen has a foliose thallus, often resembling a rosette and spanning 2–3 cm (3⁄4–1+1⁄4 in) across. Its lobes range from 3–5 millimetres (1⁄8–3⁄16 in) in length and 0.7–1.5 mm (1⁄32–1⁄16 in) in width, broadening towards the tips. They appear semi-tubular due to the edges distinctly curving downwards. The upper surface is uneven, with older lobes especially presenting numerous pseudocyphellae (small pores that facilitate gas exchange). The colouration is generally a dull brownish-orange, occasionally appearing with pruina . [2]

Apothecia, the reproductive structures, are mostly found in the central portion of the thallus. These are lecanorine in type and have a diameter of up to 1.5 mm. The ascospores are mainly ellipsoid in shape, with dimensions varying between 9.5–14  μm in length and 6.5–9.5 μm in width. [2]

When subjected to a potassium hydroxide (K) chemical spot test, the thallus reacts by turning purple. Chemical constituents identified include parietin, teloschistin, fallacinal, parietinic acid, and traces of emodin. [2]

Similar species

Zeroviella esfahanensis shows similarities to several other lichen species but can be differentiated based on a few distinguishing features. When compared with Z. mandschurica , Zeroviella esfahanensis has shorter lobes that also have a larger width range. This species has an epruinose apothecial disc, which contrasts with the white pruina found in Z. mandschurica. Additionally, Zeroviella esfahanensis has a paraplectenchymatous true exciple that is well developed, while Z. mandschurica has a scleroplectenchymatous structure, which is much wider at its base. The ascospore septum of Zeroviella esfahanensis is also narrower than that of Z. mandschurica. [2]

In comparison to Rusavskia elegans , Zeroviella esfahanensis again has shorter and wider thalline lobes. Its cortical layers are entirely paraplectenchymatous, unlike R. elegans where they are predominantly scleroplectenchymatous. This species also differs in its thinner true exciple, which is significantly less developed than in R. elegans. Furthermore, the ascospores of Zeroviella esfahanensis are somewhat shorter and the ascospore septum is narrower. [2]

Finally, relative to Caloplaca vorukhica , Zeroviella esfahanensis is marked by a smaller thallus and thalline lobes. It is distinctive due to the presence of numerous pseudocyphellae and a less developed true exciple. The ascospores of Zeroviella esfahanensis are smaller and the septum is also narrower. This species does not have the hollow medulla found in C. vorukhica, and it also lacks scleroplectenchymatous tissue in both the upper and lower cortical layers, as well as papillae in the centre of the thallus. [2]

Habitat and distribution

Zeroviella esfahanensis predominantly inhabits alpine and cold desert areas. It favours large siliceous boulders, colonising both their sun-exposed subvertical and horizontal faces. The lichen has been identified in various locations across the Palearctic realm, encompassing regions in Europe, Asia, and North Africa. [2] It was recorded as new to China in 2016, [3] and to India in 2017. [4]

Related Research Articles

Sirenophila is a genus of crustose lichens in the subfamily Teloschistoideae of the family Teloschistaceae. It has four species with an Australasian distribution.

<i>Neobrownliella</i> Genus of lichens

Neobrownliella is a genus of crustose lichens in the subfamily Teloschistoideae of the family Teloschistaceae. It has five species. The genus was circumscribed in 2015 by lichenologists Sergey Kondratyuk, Jack Elix, Ingvar Kärnefelt, and Arne Thell, with Neobrownliella brownlieae assigned as the type species. It is a segregate of the large genus Caloplaca. Characteristics of Neobrownliella include a thallus that is continuous or areolate, the presence of anthraquinones as lichen products, a cortical layer with a palisade paraplectenchyma, and the lack of a thick palisade cortical layer on the underside of the thalline exciple. Two species were included in the original circumscription of the genus; an additional three species were added in 2020.

<i>Rusavskia</i> Genus of lichens

Rusavskia is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Teloschistaceae. It has 12 species. It is a member of the subfamily Xanthorioideae. The thallus of Rusavskia is characterized by its foliose (leaf-like) structure with distinct and typically narrow lobes that curve outwards.

<i>Zeroviella</i> Genus of lichens

Zeroviella is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the subfamily Xanthorioideae of the family Teloschistaceae. It has eight saxicolous (rock-dwelling) species. Zeroviella was segregated from Rusavskia, a closely related genus, in 2015.

Rusavskia indochinensis is a species of saxicolous (rock-dwelling) lichen in the family Teloschistaceae. It occurs in India and China.

Fauriea is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Teloschistaceae. The genus, which contains seven species, is a member of the subfamily Caloplacoideae.

Upretia is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Teloschistaceae. It has three species of saxicolous (rock-dwelling), crustose lichens. Upretia is characterised by its small ascospores and narrow, rod-shaped conidia. The distribution of the genus ranges from mid-altitude rocky terrains in India to both arid and higher altitudinal environments in China.

Caloplaca filsonii is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Teloschistaceae. It has a crust-like thallus that is uneven and warty around the edges and more distinctly wart-like in the centre, coloured in shades of grey and brownish-grey near its reproductive structures (apothecia), but lacking a developed prothallus.

Elixjohnia bermaguiana is a species of saxicolous (rock-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Teloschistaceae. It is found in Australia. The lichen is characterised by its varying areoles, which are thin to moderately thick, flat to slightly convex, and range from bright yellow to whitish in colour, sometimes with a greenish-yellow hue. Its apothecia are small, with a distinct orange margin and a raised brownish-orange or yellowish-brown disc.

Elixjohnia gallowayi is a species of saxicolous (rock-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Teloschistaceae. It has a vividly coloured thallus, ranging in hues from bright red to reddish-orange. It is found in Australia.

Filsoniana australiensis is a species of saxicolous (rock-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Teloschistaceae. It is found in Australia. The lichen forms patches up to 9 cm wide, with dull pink to brownish pink lobes and a verrucose central area. It has distinctive, raised reddish-orange apothecia.

Sirenophila cliffwetmorei is a species of saxicolous (rock-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Teloschistaceae. It is found in Australia. Its thallus can reach up to 1 centimetre in width, has a whitish to whitish-grey colour, and is very thin, sometimes almost merging with the substrate, and has paler edges with a darker grey centre. Its numerous tiny apothecia give the thallus a yellow-orange appearance.

Rusavskia drevlyanica is a species of saxicolous (rock-dwelling) lichen in the family Teloschistaceae. Described as a new species in 2020, it is found in the East European forest steppe of Ukraine.

Dufourea angustata is a species of saxicolous (rock-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Teloschistaceae. It is widely distributed across Australia.

Kaernefia kaernefeltii is a species of saxicolous (rock-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Teloschistaceae. It is widely distributed in Australia.

Lazarenkoiopsis is a single-species fungal genus in the family Teloschistaceae. It contains Lazarenkoiopsis ussuriensis, a corticolous (bark-dwelling), crustose lichen species found in the Russian Far East.

Harusavskia is single-species fungal genus in the family Teloschistaceae. It contains the little-known species Harusavskia elenkinianoides, a saxicolous (rock-dwelling), crustose lichen. This species is known only from its original collection site near the Laguna del Maule in Chile.

Nevilleiella is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the subfamily Teloschistoideae of the family Teloschistaceae. It has two species of crustose lichens that are found in Australia.

Nevilleiella marchantii is a species of terricolous (ground-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Teloschistaceae. Found in Australia, it was formally described as a new species in 2007. The thallus of Nevilleiella marchantii spreads 1–3 cm wide, with distinctive, almost spherical, pustule-like formations that give it an appearance resembling a bunch of grapes. These formations vary in shape and colour from yellow-brown to orange-brown.

Marchantiana occidentalis is a species of corticolous and saxicolous, crustose lichen in the family Teloschistaceae. It is found in Western Australia, usually as an inhabitant of dry twigs, bark, or wood of various plant species, but occasionally on granite rock outcrops. It forms a well-developed thallus, shiny and composed of tiny dark greenish to brown areoles, with sizes typically ranging from 5–15 mm, though larger aggregations are possible. It features numerous rounded apothecia scattered across its surface, varying in form and colour, with a distinct margin and disc.

References

  1. ↑ "Zeroviella esfahanensis S.Y. Kondr., Zarei-Darki & Hur". Catalogue of Life . Species 2000: Leiden, the Netherlands. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Kondratyuk, S.Y.; Kim, J.A.; Yu, N.-H.; Jeong, M.-H.; Jang, S.H.; Kondratiuk, A.S.; Zarei-Darki, B.; Hur, J.-S. (2015). "Zeroviella, a new genus of xanthorioid lichens (Teloschistaceae, Ascomycetes) proved by three gene phylogeny" (PDF). Ukrainian Botanical Journal. 72 (6): 574–584. doi:10.15407/ukrbotj72.06.574.
  3. ↑ Kondratyuk, S.Y.; Lőkös, L.; Halda, J.P.; Upreti, D.K.; Mishra, G.K.; Haji Moniri, M.; Farkas, E.; Park, J.S.; Lee, B.G.; Liu, D.; Woo, J.-J.; Jayalal, R.G.U.; Oh, S.-O.; Hur, J.-S. (2016). "New and noteworthy lichen-forming and lichenicolous fungi 5" (PDF). Acta Botanica Hungarica. 58 (3–4): 319–396. doi:10.1556/abot.58.2016.3-4.7.
  4. ↑ Kondratyuk, Sergii Y.; Mishra, Gaurav K.; Nayaka, Sanjeeva; Upreti, Dalip K. (2017). "New records or otherwise interesting species of Teloschistaceae (lichenized fungi) from India". Cryptogam Biodiversity and Assessment. 2 (1): 8–13. doi:10.21756/cab.v2i01.8611 (inactive 5 November 2024).{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of November 2024 (link)
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