Biology:Upretia
| Upretia | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Ascomycota |
| Class: | Lecanoromycetes |
| Order: | Teloschistales |
| Family: | Teloschistaceae |
| Genus: | Upretia S.Y.Kondratyuk, A.Thell & J.S.Hur (2017) |
| Type species | |
| Upretia amarkantakana (Y.Joshi & Upreti) S.Y.Kondr. & A.Thell (2017)
| |
| Species | |
|
A. amarkantakana | |
Upretia is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Teloschistaceae.[1] It has three species of saxicolous (rock-dwelling), crustose lichens.[2] Upretia is characterised by its small [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] and narrow, rod-shaped [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]]. The distribution of the genus ranges from mid-altitude rocky terrains in India to both arid and higher altitudinal environments in China.
Taxonomy
Upretia was circumscribed by lichenologists Sergey Kondratyuk, Arne Thell, and Jae-Seoun Hur in 2017, with Upretia amarkantakana assigned as the type species. Upretia is a member of the subfamily Caloplacoideae of the Teloschistaceae. The genus is named in honour of the Indian lichenologist Dalip Kumar Upreti, recognising his contributions to the study of Indian lichens.[3]
Its closest relative, the monotypic genus Ioplaca from the eastern Himalayas, is differentiated by its thallus colour, areolae structure, and apothecia.[3]
Description
The genus Upretia is characterized by a crustose thallus that is typically orbicular in shape and ranges from [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] to somewhat [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] in form. The central part of the thallus often has a subsquamulose appearance but can sometimes be [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] to [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]]. Its colour varies from olive-grey to brownish grey or ash-grey. The thalline lobes of Upretia are generally narrow to wide, branched, and have a flat to slightly convex surface, often covered with a fine dusting known as [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]].[3]
The outermost layer of the thallus, or [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] layer, is thin and made of tightly interwoven cells ([[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]]). The uppermost cells in this layer are typically brownish, but there is no distinct [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]]. The inner layer of the thallus, or medulla, is white. Both a prothallus and [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] are usually present and are characterized by their black colour.[3]
The apothecia of Upretia are [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] in form, meaning they have a [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] that is the same colour as the thallus. They start as immersed structures in their young stage and become [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] as they mature. The [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] of the apothecia ranges in colour from orange to brownish and can be either concave or flat. The [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]], the layer beneath the thalline margin, also has a paraplectenchymatous structure. The paraphyses, or sterile filaments within the apothecia, contain oil droplets. Each ascus typically contains eight spores. These [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] are clear (hyaline) and [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]], meaning they are divided into two components ([[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]]) separated by a central septum with a hole. The [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]], or asexual spores, are narrowly [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] (rod-shaped) and small.[3]
Upretia shows no colour change when exposed to potassium hydroxide (K−), bleach (C−), or para-phenylenediamine (Pd−) chemical spot tests. However, the apothecium disc and [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] react with potassium hydroxide to turn purple, while not reacting to bleach or para-phenylenediamine.[3] The presence of parietin and an olive spot at RF class 4 has been noted in the apothecial disc, based on previous research.[4]
Habitat and distribution
Upretia species grow on rocks in varying environmental conditions and altitudes. Upretia amarkantakana thrives on sun-exposed bauxite rocks. It is found in the Madhya Pradesh region of India, specifically in the Anuppur, Dindori, and Shahdol districts around the Amarkantak area. This species is typically found at altitudes ranging from 500 to 600 m (1,600 to 2,000 ft). It is often found in the company of species from the genera Buellia and Staurothele.[3][5] Upretia hueana is located in Madhya Pradesh as well, but it is found at a higher altitude, around 1,050 m (3,440 ft).[5] Upretia squamulosa is known to grow in arid environments and has a broader elevation range, from 1,240 to 3,160 m (4,070 to 10,370 ft). Its distribution is limited to Yunnan province in China, marking a significant geographical distinction from its congenera in India.[6]
Species
- Upretia amarkantakana (Y.Joshi & Upreti) S.Y.Kondr. & A.Thell (2017)
- Upretia hueana (B.de Lesd.) S.Y.Kondr. & Upreti (2020)
- Upretia squamulosa Y.Y.Zhang & Li S.Wang (2019)[6]
References
- ↑ "Upretia". Species 2000: Naturalis, Leiden, the Netherlands. https://www.catalogueoflife.org/data/taxon/84ZX.
- ↑ Wijayawardene, N.N.; Hyde, K.D.; Dai, D.Q.; Sánchez-García, M.; Goto, B.T.; Saxena, R.K. et al. (2022). "Outline of Fungi and fungus-like taxa – 2021". Mycosphere 13 (1): 53–453. doi:10.5943/mycosphere/13/1/2. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/358798332.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Kondratyuk, S.Y.; Persson, P.E.; Hansson, M.; Mishra, G.K.; Nayaka, S.; Liu, D.; Hur, J.S.; Thell, A. (2018). "Upretia, a new caloplacoid lichen genus (Teloschistaceae, lichen-forming Ascomycota) from India". Cryptogam Biodiversity and Assessment S2018: 22–31. doi:10.21756/cab.esp5. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322739723.
- ↑ Joshi, Yogesh; Upreti, Dalip K. (2006). "Caloplaca amarkantakana, a new species in the Caloplaca sideritis group from India". The Lichenologist 38 (6): 537–540. doi:10.1017/s0024282906006360.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Mishra, G.K.; Upreti, D.K.; Nayaka, S.; Thell, A.; Kärnefelt, I.; Lőkös, L.; Hur, J.-S.; Sinha, G.P. et al. (2020). "Current taxonomy of the lichen family Teloschistaceae from India with descriptions of new species". Acta Botanica Hungaricae 62 (3–4): 309–391. doi:10.1556/034.62.2020.3-4.5.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Zhang, Yan Yun; Wang, Xin Yu; Li, Li Juan; Søchting, Ulrik; Yin, An Cheng; Wang, Shi Qiong; Wang, Li Song (2019). "Upretia squamulosa, a new lichen species from the arid valley of Jinsha-jiang River, China". Phytotaxa 402 (6): 288–294. doi:10.11646/phytotaxa.402.6.3.
Wikidata ☰ Q55280210 entry
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