Biology:Allopyrenis
Allopyrenis is a genus of rock-dwelling cyanolichens (lichens that partner with cyanobacteria rather than green algae) in the family Phylliscaceae (order Lichinales). The genus was introduced in 2024 during a broad re-classification of the class Lichinomycetes; its type species is Allopyrenis sanguinea. Seven species, most of them long treated in Pyrenopsis, were transferred to Allopyrenis to reflect new phylogenetic results.
Taxonomy
The genus Allopyrenis was circumscribed by Matthias Schultz and María Prieto in a multilocus study that re‑evaluated family‑ and genus‑level limits across the Lichinomycetes. That study used DNA evidence in combination with key morphological characters (particularly how the fruiting bodies develop and the type of asci) to redefine natural groups. The authors created Allopyrenis for a clade of Pyrenopsis‑like cyanolichens in Phylliscaceae and made the necessary new combinations. The name Allopyrenis (allo‑ = other) explicitly acknowledges its resemblance to Pyrenopsis while indicating it represents a distinct evolutionary lineage. Phylliscaceae is a family of mainly minute, rock-dwelling cyanolichens within the order Lichinales. Members commonly form thin crusts or tiny rosettes on sun‑exposed rock, an ecological profile that matches the species now treated in Allopyrenis.[1]
Description
Species of Allopyrenis are crustose lichens (thin, tightly attached crusts on rock) that often look reddish‑brown to nearly black when dry and become slightly gelatinous when wet. The thallus (the lichen body) is typically very thin and [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] (broken into fine, grain‑like patches) or [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] (split into small, tile‑like segments).[1]
The sexual fruiting bodies are apothecia, which in this group are minute and may remain pinprick sized. They are usually [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]], meaning the rim of the disc is formed by thallus tissue (a [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]]) rather than by a separate ring of fungal tissue. In Allopyrenis, a distinct [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] (a cup‑like rim of purely fungal tissue) is lacking. The asci are club‑shaped and have a conspicuous gelatinised apical cap—features consistent with other members of Phylliscaceae. No lichen products have been identified in the genus.[1][2]
The [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] partner is a [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] (coccoid) cyanobacterium, often described as Gloeocapsa‑like. This cyanobacterial partnership is typical for the family and helps these tiny crusts tolerate strong sun and periodic drying on exposed rock.[1]
Ecology and distribution
Species of Allopyrenis are saxicolous (rock-dwelling) and favour well‑lit rock, often on siliceous substrates, sometimes along damp seepage lines. Records show a mainly temperate Northern Hemisphere distribution, with examples in north‑western and alpine Europe and in North America.[1]
Species
Seven species are currently included in Allopyrenis (all as new combinations published in 2024):[1]
- Allopyrenis grumulifera (Nyl.)[3] M.Schultz & M.Prieto (2024)
- Allopyrenis haemaleella (Nyl.)[4] M.Schultz & M.Prieto (2024)
- Allopyrenis impolita Th.Fr.[5] ex M.Schultz & M.Prieto (2024)
- Allopyrenis phaeococca (Tuck.)[6] M.Schultz & M.Prieto (2024)
- Allopyrenis reducta (Th.Fr.)[5] M.Schultz & M.Prieto (2024)
- Allopyrenis sanguinea (Anzi)[7] M.Schultz & M.Prieto (2024)
- Allopyrenis tenuis (Henssen)[8] M.Schultz & M.Prieto (2024)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Prieto, M.; Wedin, M.; Schultz, M. (2024). "Phylogeny, evolution and a re-classification of the Lichinomycetes". Studies in Mycology 109: 595–655. doi:10.3114/sim.2024.109.09. PMID 39717657.
- ↑ Nimis, P.L.; Conti, S.; Martellos, S.. "Allopyrenis M. Schultz & M. Prieto". https://italic.units.it/index.php?procedure=genuspage&ID_genus=508.
- ↑ Nylander, W. (1861) (in la). Lichenes Scandinaviae sive prodromus lichenographiae Scandinaviae. Notiser ur Sällskapets pro Fauna et Flora Fennica Förhandlingar. 5. p. 26.
- ↑ Nylander, W. (1877). "Addenda nova ad Lichenographiam Europaeam. Contin. XXVIII" (in la). Flora 60: 457–463. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/64159.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Fries, T.M. (1866). "Nya Skandinaviska Lafarter". Botaniska Notiser 1866: 56–60. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/56771537.
- ↑ Tuckerman, E. (1872). Genera Lichenum: An arrangement of the North America lichens. Amherst: E. Nelson. p. 82. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/37918882.
- ↑ Anzi, M. (1866). "Neosymbola lichenum rariorum vel novorum Italiae superioris" (in la). Atti della Società Italiana di Scienze Naturali 9: 241–258.
- ↑ Henssen, A. (1963). "Drei neue Arten der Flechtengattung Phylliscum" (in de). Svensk Botanisk Tidskrift 57 (2): 145–160.
Wikidata ☰ Q136387316 entry
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