Biology:Lecania juniperi
| Lecania juniperi | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Ascomycota |
| Class: | Lecanoromycetes |
| Order: | Lecanorales |
| Family: | Ramalinaceae |
| Genus: | Lecania |
| Species: | L. juniperi
|
| Binomial name | |
| Lecania juniperi van den Boom (2012)
| |
Lecania juniperi is a rare species of corticolous (bark-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Ramalinaceae.[1] Discovered on Juniperus phoenicea shrubs in the coastal region of Portugal, it was formally described as a new species in 2012. Despite its resemblance to Lecania cyrtella, L. juniperi stands out due to its warted and sorediate thallus, larger [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]], and distinct [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]]s.
Taxonomy
Lecania juniperi was first described by Dutch lichenologist Pieter van den Boom as a new species in 2012. The type specimen was discovered in the Algarve region of Portugal, near Odeceixe, on a Juniperus phoenicea shrub. The species name juniperi is derived from the host genus of the lichen.[2]
Description
The thallus of Lecania juniperi is corticolous, measuring approximately 1 cm wide and up to 0.5 mm thick. The [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] range in colour from pale grey to greyish brown, and the upper surface can be smooth or prominently warted. The [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] can reach up to 0.8 mm in diameter, with a persistent margin that is paler than the [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]]. The [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] are ellipsoid to somewhat ovoid, contains either a single septum or none, and typically measures 9–14 by 3.5–5 μm.[2]
Lecania juniperi is chemically unreactive, showing no reactions with common lichen spot tests (K−, C−, KC−, and P−) and containing no detectable chemical substances.[2]
Similar species
This lichen is a part of the Lecania cyrtella group, which also includes two sorediate (saxicolous) species, L. erysibe and L. leprosa. Lecania juniperi differs from these species due to its warted thallus, larger apothecia, and wider ascospores. In the field, L. juniperi can be readily confused with L. naegelii or an underdeveloped specimen of L. viridulogranulosa. However, L. naegelii has 3-septate ascospores and a non-[[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] excipulum, while L. viridulogranulosa has a sorediate thallus and also ascospores with three septa.[2]
Habitat and distribution
Lecania juniperi is found exclusively on thin branches of Juniperus phoenicea shrubs, in open and exposed areas along the Atlantic Coast of Portugal, at an elevation of approximately 50 m (160 ft). At the time of its publication, it was only known to exist in the type locality. The lichen can be found growing alongside other species such as Caloplaca chrysophthalma, Diploicia canescens, Lecanora spp., Opegrapha xerica, and Opegrapha spp.[2]
References
- ↑ "Lecania juniperi van den Boom". Species 2000: Naturalis, Leiden, the Netherlands. https://www.catalogueoflife.org/data/taxon/3SRD4.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 van den Boom, P.P.G.; Girault, M. (2012). "Checklist and three new species of lichens and lichenicolous fungi of the Algarve (Portugal)". Sydowia 64 (2): 149–208. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265737228.
Wikidata ☰ Q107903395 entry
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