Biology:Allographa grandis
| Allographa grandis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Ascomycota |
| Class: | Lecanoromycetes |
| Order: | Graphidales |
| Family: | Graphidaceae |
| Genus: | Allographa |
| Species: | A. grandis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Allographa grandis Kalb (2020)
| |
Allographa grandis is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling) lichen in the family Graphidaceae.[1] Found in Cameroon, it is characterised its large ascomata and [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] (for which it is named), and an [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] hymenium.
Taxonomy
Allographa grandis was first described by German lichenologist Klaus Kalb as a new species in 2020. The specific epithet, grandis, highlights the lichen's large ascomata and [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]]. The type specimen was discovered in the Begalanda Mountains near Nyangong Village in the Republic of Cameroon.[2]
Description
The thallus of Allographa grandis ranges from beige to greyish white in colour. Its surface is smooth and has a [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] with a dull to slightly shiny appearance. The [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] of this lichen are [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] to prominent, possessing a complete whitish [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]]. They can be elongated, straight, curved, or [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]], with lengths of up to 15 mm and widths of 1 mm.[2]
The ascomata of Allographa grandis are of the illinata-morph type, and its [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] is apically [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]]. This lichen bears hyaline ascospores that turn slightly brownish with age. These richly [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] spores measure 110–175 by 25–48 μm and have 40–50 by 8–12 septa. When treated with iodine, the spores exhibit a blue reaction.[2]
One of the key differences between Allographa grandis and the similar Graphis insulana is the [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] type, which categorizes the species within the genus Allographa. No other species in this genus appears to be similar to A. grandis.[2]
Habitat and distribution
Allographa grandis is found growing on the bark of trees in pristine rainforests. Its type locality is situated at an elevation of 850 m (2,790 ft) in the Begalanda Mountains near Nyangong Village, in the South Province of Cameroon.[2]
Chemistry
The chemical constituents of Allographa grandis include norstictic acid (major), connorstictic acid (minor), and subnorstictic acid (trace). These lichen products contribute to its unique characteristics and help distinguish it from other species.[2]
References
- ↑ "Allographa grandis Kalb". Species 2000: Naturalis, Leiden, the Netherlands. https://www.catalogueoflife.org/data/taxon/B36DR.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Kalb, K. (2020). "New or otherwise interesting lichens. VII, including a world key to the lichen genus Heiomasia". Archive for Lichenology 15: 1–18.
Wikidata ☰ Q107479083 entry
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