Biology:Echinoplaca basalis
| Echinoplaca basalis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Ascomycota |
| Class: | Lecanoromycetes |
| Order: | Graphidales |
| Family: | Gomphillaceae |
| Genus: | Echinoplaca |
| Species: | E. basalis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Echinoplaca basalis W.B.Sanders & Lücking (2015)
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Echinoplaca basalis is a species of foliicolous (leaf-dwelling) lichen in the family Gomphillaceae.[1] It is found in the Southeastern United States.
Taxonomy
Echinoplaca basalis was formally described by William Sanders and Robert Lücking in 2015. The species name basalis refers to the position of the [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|diahyphal]] mass at the base of a hyaline, setose [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]]. The type specimen was collected in Lee County, Florida, on the leaf blade of a Sabal palmetto at the Florida Gulf Coast University campus.[2]
The species was formally described even in the absence of [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] due to its abundance and distinctive diahyphal masses. Placement in the genus Echinoplaca is supported by the presence of thin white setae/hyphophore scales and the structure of the diahyphae. The compact propagules of Echinoplaca basalis disperse both bionts together, a feature shared with other species in the Gomphillaceae such as Actinoplaca strigulacea, Gyalideopsis vulgaris, and Gyalideopsis sessile.[2]
Description
The thallus of Echinoplaca basalis is continuous but marginally dispersed or deeply [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|lobed]], measuring 2–5 mm across and 15–25 μm thick. Its surface is [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] and green in colour due to the presence of calcium oxalate crystals. White [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] are also found on the thallus. The [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] of this lichen is [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] (green algae), with cells 5–9 μm in diameter. Although apothecia have not been observed in this species, it has distinctive diahyphal masses at the base of the hyaline, setose hyphophore.[2]
Habitat and distribution
Echinoplaca basalis is primarily found in Lee County, Florida, in the United States. It grows on the leaf blades of Sabal palmetto in live oak hammocks near nature trails and picnic areas.[2]
References
- ↑ "Echinoplaca basalis W.B. Sanders & Lücking". Species 2000: Naturalis, Leiden, the Netherlands. https://www.catalogueoflife.org/data/taxon/38JTB.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Sanders, W.B.; Lücking, R. (2015). "Three new species of foliicolous Gomphillaceae (lichen-forming ascomycetes) from southern Florida". The Bryologist 118 (2): 170–177. doi:10.1639/0007-2745-118.2.170.
Wikidata ☰ Q21269832 entry
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