Biology:Buellia kowenensis
| Buellia kowenensis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Ascomycota |
| Class: | Lecanoromycetes |
| Order: | Caliciales |
| Family: | Caliciaceae |
| Genus: | Buellia |
| Species: | B. kowenensis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Buellia kowenensis Elix & P.M.McCarthy (2020)
| |
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| Holotype site: Kowen, Queensland[1] | |
Buellia kowenensis is a rare species of saxicolous (rock-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Caliciaceae.[2] It is only known to occur at its original collection site in the Australian Capital Territory of Australia.
Taxonomy
Buellia kowenensis was formally described as a new species in 2020 by the lichenologists John Elix and Patrick M. McCarthy. The type specimen of the species was collected in Australia, within the Australian Capital Territory. Specifically, it was found along Kowen Road in Kowen Forest, located about 11.7 kilometres (7.3 mi) east of Canberra. This specimen was collected at an altitude of 700 m (2,300 ft), situated on sandstone rocks beside an old road that runs adjacent to an open Eucalyptus woodland. Buellia kowenensis is named after its type locality, Kowen Forest in the Australian Capital Territory.[1]
Description
The thallus of Buellia kowenensis is crustose, [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]], and can grow up to 10 mm wide and 0.3 mm thick. The [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]], or cracked segments, range from 0.1 to 0.7 mm wide. The upper surface is white to off-white, dull, and appears crystalline or spotted due to the incorporation of silica. It does not form [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] and lacks a distinct bordering [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]]. The [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] cells are 8–14 µm wide. The medulla is white, contains calcium oxalate (as indicated by a positive sulphuric acid reaction), and does not change colour when stained with iodine.[1]
The [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]], or fruiting bodies, are 0.1–0.4 mm wide, [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] in type, and can be separate, broadly attached, with a black, non-powdery, and either weakly concave or convex disc. The [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]], the rim around the disc, is thin, initially raised above the disc, but becomes thinner and level with the disc in older apothecia. The outer part of the exciple is dark brown, measuring 15–25 µm thick, and the [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] beneath the spore-producing tissue is deep red-brown, 50–60 µm thick. The [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] is dark brown and 10–12 µm thick. The hymenium is 50–60 µm thick, colourless, and the [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] beneath it is pale brown, 10–15 µm thick. The paraphyses are 1.5–2 µm wide, sparsely branched, with brown-capped tips. The asci are of the Bacidia type and contain eight spores. The ascospores are of the Buellia type, 1-septate, brown, ellipsoid, measuring 9–13 by 5–7 µm, and older spores are constricted at the septum; the outer spore-wall is microrugulate. [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] are punctiform, immersed, with a brown [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]]. The [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] are [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]], measuring 8–10 by 1 µm. The medulla contains isoarthothelin as a major component and 4,5-dichloronorlichexanthone in trace amounts.[1]
Buellia kowenensis resembles Buellia halonia but is distinct due to its smaller, persistently Buellia-type [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] and the presence of medullary calcium oxalate.
Habitat and distribution
At the time of its original publication, Buellia kowenensis was known only from its type collection in Kowen Forest, Australian Capital Territory. It was found on sandstone rocks in an open Eucalyptus woodland. Associated lichens in this habitat include Buellia spuria var. amblyogona, B. amandineaiformis, B. suttonensis, Lecidea sarcogynoides, L. terrena, Trapelia concentrica, and a species of Xanthoparmelia.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Elix, John A. (2020). "Ten new species and two new records of buellioid lichens (Physciaceae, Ascomycota) from Australia and Norfolk Island". Australasian Lichenology 87: 3–19. https://www.anbg.gov.au/abrs/lichenlist/AL87.pdf.
- ↑ "Buellia kowenensis Elix & P.M. McCarthy". Species 2000: Naturalis, Leiden, the Netherlands. https://www.catalogueoflife.org/data/taxon/B334F.
Wikidata ☰ Q107531599 entry
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