Biology:Graphis paraschiffneri
| Graphis paraschiffneri | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Ascomycota |
| Class: | Lecanoromycetes |
| Order: | Graphidales |
| Family: | Graphidaceae |
| Genus: | Graphis |
| Species: | G. paraschiffneri
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| Binomial name | |
| Graphis paraschiffneri Lücking & Breuss (2015)
| |
Graphis paraschiffneri is a little-known species of corticolous (bark-dwelling) script lichen in the family Graphidaceae.[1] It is only known to occur in Nicaragua. Closely related to Graphis schiffneri, the lichen is distinguished from this lookalike by its longer [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] with more septa (internal partitions) and extended [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] (fruiting bodies).
Taxonomy
Graphis paraschiffneri was formally described as a new species in 2015 by the lichenologists Robert Lücking and Othmar Breuss. First identified in Nicaragua, near the Pacific coast at Playa El Coco, about 18 km (11 mi) south of San Juan del Sur, the type specimen was collected by the second author on 19 July 2001. The species epithet alludes to its similarity with Graphis schiffneri.[2]
Description
The thallus of Graphis paraschiffneri is epiperidermal (i.e., growing on the surface of the bark [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]], rather than in it), with a thickness of 100–150 micrometres (µm). It has a greyish-white, smooth, and slightly [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] (cracked) appearance, thinly coated with a [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] containing an irregular [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] and calcium oxalate crystals. It lacks a prothallus. The [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]], which are the fruiting structures, are [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] to [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]], typically measuring 1.5–3.0 mm in length and about 0.25 mm in width. They are either [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] or sparsely branched and has a lateral [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]]. The labia are [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] to slightly furrowed at the tips, with free and black, non-[[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] tips; the [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] remains concealed. The [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] is completely [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]], measuring 230–280 µm in width and 170–200 µm in height. The [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] is approximately 20 µm tall and colourless, while the clear hymenium is 90–120 µm tall. The paraphyses are unbranched and hyaline (transclucent), and the [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] is [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] and grey-brown. The [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]], numbering eight per ascus, are colourless, and stain violet-blue with iodine. Spores are elongated, measuring 30–42 (sometimes up to 50) by 7.5–8.5 µm, and have 10 to 14 [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]].[2]
Graphis paraschiffneri contains norstictic acid, as detected by thin-layer chromatography. Spot tests on the thallus yield reactions of C−, P−, and K+ (yellow turning slowly to orange-red).[2]
Similar species
Graphis paraschiffneri shares characteristics with G. schiffneri in terms of norstictic acid presence, slightly striate labia, a completely carbonised excipulum, and transversely septate ascospores. It is distinct due to its longer lirellae and larger ascospores. Another related species, Graphis caesiocarpa, differs in having richly branched lirellae and entire, white-pruinose labia with a complete thalline cover. While G. caesiocarpa has similarly sized spores, these spores have fewer septa (7–10) compared to those of G. paraschiffneri.[2]
Habitat and distribution
This lichen species is found growing on tree bark in the Pacific coastal region of Nicaragua. At the time of its original publication, it was known to occur exclusively at the type locality.[2] As of 2023, it is one of 319 lichen species that have been recorded in Nicaragua.[3]
References
- ↑ "Graphis paraschiffneri Lücking & Breuss". Species 2000: Naturalis, Leiden, the Netherlands. https://www.catalogueoflife.org/data/taxon/3H9R7.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Breuss, Othmar; Lücking, Robert (2015). "Three new lichen species from Nicaragua, with keys to the known species of Eugeniella and Malmidea". The Lichenologist 47 (1): 9–20. doi:10.1017/S0024282914000565.
- ↑ Breus, Othmar (2023). "Liste der Flechten Nicaraguas" (in de). Österreichische Zeitschrift für Pilzkunde 30: 133–143. https://myk.univie.ac.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/OZP30_Breuss_Nicaragua_.pdf.
Wikidata ☰ Q25354698 entry
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