Biology:Astrothelium simplex
| Astrothelium simplex | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Ascomycota |
| Class: | Dothideomycetes |
| Order: | Trypetheliales |
| Family: | Trypetheliaceae |
| Genus: | Astrothelium |
| Species: | A. simplex
|
| Binomial name | |
| Astrothelium simplex Aptroot & S.M.A.Martins (2016)
| |
Astrothelium simplex is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Trypetheliaceae,[1] first described in 2016. It is found in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil.
Taxonomy
Astrothelium simplex was formally described as a new species by the lichenologists André Aptroot and Suzana Maria de Azevedo Martins in 2016. The type specimen was collected by the second author in Caraá, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, on 27 April 2009.[2]
Description
The thallus of Astrothelium simplex is [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]], [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]], somewhat shiny, and continuous, covering areas up to 7 cm in diameter and approximately 0.3 mm thick. The thallus is olive-green in colour and does not have a [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]], but it does induce gall formation on the host bark. The ascomata are [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] (pear-shaped), measuring about 0.6–0.9 mm in diameter, typically aggregated in groups of 2–5, and mostly immersed in the bark tissue. The wall is [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] and up to 80 μm thick. Ostioles are eccentric, fused, raised, and dark brown, and surrounded by an ochraceous zone. The [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] does not contain oil globules. Asci contain eight [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] each. Ascospores are hyaline, 3-septate, [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]], measuring 56–63 by 15–19 μm, with pointed ends and diamond-shaped [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]], and lack a gelatinous sheath. [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] were not observed.[2]
Chemistry
The thallus surface of Astrothelium simplex is UV−, and the medulla does not react to potassium hydroxide (K−). Thin-layer chromatography analysis detected no secondary metabolites in this lichen.[2]
Habitat and distribution
This species is found on the smooth bark of trees in the Atlantic Forest and at the time of its original publication was known to occur only in Brazil.[2]
References
- ↑ "Astrothelium simplex Aptroot & S.M. Martins". Species 2000: Naturalis, Leiden, the Netherlands. https://www.catalogueoflife.org/data/taxon/J5JR.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Aptroot, André; Mendonça, Cléverton de Oliveira; Andrade, Danyelly Santos; Silva, Jeanne dos Reis; Martins, Suzana Maria de Azevedo; Gumboski, Emerson; Fraga, Carlos Augusto Vidigal; Cáceres, Marcela Eugenia da Silva (2016). "New Trypetheliaceae from northern and southern Atlantic rainforests in Brazil". The Lichenologist 48 (6): 713–725. doi:10.1017/s0024282916000037.
Wikidata ☰ Q95573612 entry
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