Biology:Tetramelas flindersianus
| Tetramelas flindersianus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Ascomycota |
| Class: | Lecanoromycetes |
| Order: | Caliciales |
| Family: | Caliciaceae |
| Genus: | Tetramelas |
| Species: | T. flindersianus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Tetramelas flindersianus Elix (2020)
| |
Tetramelas flindersianus is a saxicolous (rock-dwelling) crustose lichen species in the family Physciaceae.[1] First described scientifically in 2020, it is found in Australia.
Taxonomy
The type specimen of the lichen was collected on Tasmania's Flinders Island. It was found approximately 5.8 km (3.6 mi) southeast of West Point, either on or near a siliceous rock outcrop. Tetramelas flindersianus, is named after its type locality, Flinders Island in Tasmania. It is similar to Tetramelas filsonii, but is distinct in having a non-amyloid [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]], narrower [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]], and containing only atranorin.[2]
Description
The thallus of Tetramelas flindersianus is [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] and [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]], growing up to 60 mm wide and 1 mm thick. The [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]], ranging from 1–2.5 mm wide, can be scattered or contiguous, sometimes aggregating to form a secondary somewhat [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] (scaly) crust that occasionally lifts off the [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]]. The upper surface of the thallus is off-white to grey-white, dull, and [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] in parts, with no visible [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]]. The [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] cells measure 8–23 µm wide, and the [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] is white, lacking crystals of calcium oxalate.[2]
The [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] are 0.3–1 mm wide, [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] in type, and can be separate or in small groups, broadly [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] to [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]], with a black, non-powdery ([[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]]), flat to weakly convex [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]]. The proper [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] is prominent, [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]], and shiny, measuring 40–50 µm thick. The [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] is dark brown to dark olive-brown, while the [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] beneath is brown to brown-black, forming a central plug. The [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] is 65–90 µm thick, colourless, and the [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] beneath it is pale brown, 20–35 µm thick. [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] are 1.5–2.0 µm wide, sparsely branched, with dark brown capped tips. The [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] are of the Bacidia type, containing eight spores. The [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] are initially of the Callispora- or Physconia-types, then of the Buellia-type, brown, ellipsoid to broadly [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] or bottle-shaped, measuring 13–20 by 5–7 µm, and the outer spore-wall is [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]]. [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] are immersed, [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]], with [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] measuring 5–7 by 0.7–1 µm. Chemically, the thallus contains atranorin as a major lichen product.[2]
Habitat and distribution
Tetramelas flindersianus has been found on hard, siliceous rocks such as quartzite at two locations on Flinders Island, Tasmania, and one in Victoria. It is associated with typical nearshore lichen species like Buellia stellulata, Caloplaca cribrosa, Catillaria austrolittoralis, Lecanora subcoarctata, Pertusaria xanthoplaca, Rinodina blastidiata, and Tylothallia verrucosa.[2]
References
- ↑ "Tetramelas flindersianus Elix". Species 2000: Naturalis, Leiden, the Netherlands. https://www.catalogueoflife.org/data/taxon/B363L.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 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.
Wikidata ☰ Q108424984 entry
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