Biology:Verrucaria kowenensis
| Verrucaria kowenensis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Ascomycota |
| Class: | Eurotiomycetes |
| Order: | Verrucariales |
| Family: | Verrucariaceae |
| Genus: | Verrucaria |
| Species: | V. kowenensis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Verrucaria kowenensis P.M.McCarthy (2020)
| |
Verrucaria kowenensis is a species of terricolous (ground-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Verrucariaceae.[1] It is found in the Australian Capital Territory of Australia, where it grows on silica-rich soil.
Taxonomy
The lichen was formally described as a new species in 2020 by lichenologist Patrick M. McCarthy. The type specimen was collected by the author from Kowen Forest (Australian Capital Territory) at an altitude of 700 m (2,300 ft); there, on an old road bank bordering dry Eucalyptus woodland, it was found growing on siliceous soil. The species name refers to the type locality. Other lichens occurring in this species-poor habitat include Trapelia concentrica and unidentified species of Sarcogyne and Arthonia.[2]
Description
Verrucaria kowenensis has an inconspicuous thallus with a pale grey-green or light to medium greenish-grey hue. Its thallus, which is [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] to [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|pseudosquamulose]], is comparatively thick, [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]], and primarily algal. The [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] (fruiting bodies), though numerous, are extremely small and do not have an [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]]. They are largely submerged within the thallus, displaying a black apex, with the [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] remaining colourless at the sides and base. Its [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]], which have a [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] arrangement in the ascus, measure between 11 and 20 μm in length and 5–7.5 μm in width.[2]
Verrucaria kowenensis shares a wide range of similarities with the land-dwelling Australian endemic species, V. solicola. However, it distinguishes itself by possessing a thallus that is thicker, areolate, or finely pseudosquamulose with a dual-layered cortex. Further, it has considerably smaller perithecia with a thinner and lighter exciple on the sides and at the base, and its asci are also shorter.[2]
See also
- List of Verrucaria species
References
- ↑ "Verrucaria kowenensis P.M. McCarthy". Species 2000: Naturalis, Leiden, the Netherlands. https://www.catalogueoflife.org/data/taxon/B33SR.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 McCarthy, Patrick M. (2020). "Verrucaria kowenensis (lichenized Ascomycota, Verrucariaceae), a new species on soil in the Australian Capital Territory". Australasian Lichenology 86: 3–5. https://www.anbg.gov.au/abrs/lichenlist/AL86.pdf.
Wikidata ☰ Q108473382 entry
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