Biology:Ochrolechia

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Ochrolechia is the sole genus in the fungal family Ochrolechiaceae.[1] It comprises about 40 species of crustose lichens. These lichens typically form uneven, often thick, crust-like growths on various surfaces and are characterised by their white to pale grey thalli, which may have a greenish tint. The genus has a long evolutionary history, with fossils dating back to the Paleogene period, about 34 million years ago. Ochrolechia species have disc-like apothecia (fruiting bodies), which are usually yellowish or brownish-pink and often covered with a fine white powdery coating. The genus is widely distributed and includes both common and rare species, with some found in extreme environments such as arctic and alpine regions. Ochrolechia lichens produce diverse secondary metabolites, including orcinol depsides, depsidones, and xanthones.

Taxonomy

Genus Ochrolechia was proposed by the Italian lichenologist Abramo Bartolommeo Massalongo in 1852.[2] The family Ochrolechiaceae was first proposed by Richard C. Harris in 1990 as an informal designation ("ined."), and was later formally circumscribed by H. Thorsten Lumbsch and Imke Schmitt in 2006. The family was initially conceived to include Ochrolechia and tentatively the Varicellaria and Variolaria groups of species that were formerly classified within the large genus Pertusaria.[3]

The family is characterised by:[3]

  • [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] thallus containing green algae
  • disc-shaped, [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]], [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] fruiting bodies
  • cup-shaped, hyaline excipulum
  • amyloid or non-amyloid hymenium
  • branched, septate, anastomosing [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]]
  • strongly amyloid asci containing 1–8 spores
  • hyaline ascospores, either non-septate or with a single septum
  • immersed pycnidia

Ochrolechiaceae is now monogeneric, containing only the type genus Ochrolechia. The genus Varicellaria, which was tentatively included when the family was first proposed, has since been elevated to its own family, Varicellariaceae, which was proposed in 2011 and validly published in 2018.[4][5]

Fossil history

Paleontological studies have revealed that Ochrolechia existed as far back as the Paleogene period, approximately 34 million years ago. This discovery was made through the analysis of well-preserved amber fossils from Europe. These fossils include several Ochrolechia specimens that show morphological similarities to modern species, such as O. subplicans and O. xanthostoma. Two of these ancient Ochrolechia specimens were found hosting lichenicolous fungi of the genus Lichenostigma, indicating a long-standing symbiotic relationship between these fungi and their lichen hosts. The presence of such fossils provides calibration points for understanding the evolutionary timeline of both Ochrolechia and Lichenostigma.[6]

Description

The genus Ochrolechia comprises crustose lichens that typically form uneven, often thick, crust-like growths. The thallus, or body, of these lichens can vary in appearance from smooth and continuous to slightly cracked ([[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]]). In some cases, the thallus may appear as scattered, convex warts or, more rarely, as minutely shrubby due to the presence of tiny [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] or spine-like extensions. The colour of the thallus ranges from white or pale grey to dark grey, often with a greenish tint. A [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]], which is a preliminary growth that may be visible around the edges of the thallus, is sometimes present and grey, though it may also be absent.[7]

The upper surface of the thallus generally lacks a distinct protective layer ([[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]]), or may have a very thin cortex made up of thin-walled fungal filaments (hyphae). The lichen's symbiotic partner, or [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]], is a [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] alga, which contributes to the lichen's overall colour and undertakes photosynthesis.[7]

The reproductive structures of Ochrolechia, the [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]], are disc-like and typically expanded, though in rare cases, they may be pore-like ([[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]]). The [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] are usually yellowish or brownish-pink in colour, often covered with a fine white powdery coating known as pruina. The apothecia are surrounded by a well-developed [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]], which is a rim of tissue derived from the thallus itself. In some species, a narrow [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]], the tissue surrounding the hymenium (spore-producing layer), is visible.[7]

The hymenium in Ochrolechia apothecia is relatively tall, measuring between 150 and 200 μm. The [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]], which supports the developing spores, consists of thin, densely branched, and interconnected filaments known as paraphyses. The asci, or spore-producing cells, contain between two and eight spores, and have thick, amyloid walls, meaning they stain blue with iodine and are similar to those found in the genus Pertusaria. The [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] themselves are relatively large, lack internal divisions ([[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]]), have relatively thin walls considering their size, and are smooth in texture.[7]

Ochrolechia also reproduces asexually through pycnidia, which are flask-shaped structures embedded in the thallus. The conidia (asexual spores) produced by the pycnidia are cylindrical to elongated and are straight rather than curved.[7]

Chemically, Ochrolechia species are known to produce orcinol depsides and depsidones, particularly gyrophoric and lecanoric acids, as well as xanthones and fatty acids. These compounds contribute to the lichen's characteristics and can be used in chemical spot tests to help identify the species.[7]

Species

As of August 2024, Species Fungorum (in the Catalogue of Life) accepts 41 species of Ochrolechia.[8]

Ochrolechia szatalaensis
Ochrolechia trochophora
Ochrolechia upsaliensis
  • Ochrolechia aegaea Kukwa (2009)[9]
  • Ochrolechia africana Vain. (1926)[10]
  • Ochrolechia alaskana (Verseghy) Kukwa (2009)[9]
  • Ochrolechia alectoronica Imshaug ex Kantvilas & Fryday (2021)[11]
  • Ochrolechia alticola Q.Ren (2017)[12]
  • Ochrolechia androgyna (Hoffm.) Arnold (1885)
  • Ochrolechia antillarum Brodo (1991)[13]
  • Ochrolechia arborea (Kreyer) Almb. (1949)
  • Ochrolechia brodoi Kukwa (2011)[14]
  • Ochrolechia cooperi T.Sprib. (2020)[15]
  • Ochrolechia frigida (Sw.) Lynge (1928)
  • Ochrolechia gowardii Brodo (1991)[13]
  • Ochrolechia gyrophorica (A.W.Archer) A.W.Archer & Lumbsch (1997)
  • Ochrolechia inaequatula (Nyl.) Zahlbr. (1913)
  • Ochrolechia incarnata (Leight.) Kukwa, I.Schmitt & Ertz (2018)
  • Ochrolechia insularis Kantvilas & Elix (2011)[16]
  • Ochrolechia inversa (Nyl.) J.R.Laundon (1963)
  • Ochrolechia juvenalis Brodo (1991)[13]
  • Ochrolechia kerguelensis Ertz & Kukwa (2016)[17]
  • Ochrolechia lijiangensis Q.Ren (2017)[12]
  • Ochrolechia longispora Brodo & Q.Ren (2017)[12]
  • Ochrolechia macrosperma (Müll. Arg.) R.W.Rogers (1982)
  • Ochrolechia microstictoides Räsänen (1936)
  • Ochrolechia minuta (Degel.) T.Sprib. (2020)[15]
  • Ochrolechia montana Brodo (1991)[13]
  • Ochrolechia neoisidiata Elix (2007)[18]
  • Ochrolechia pallenti-isidiata Z.F.Jia & Q.Ren (2009)[12]
  • Ochrolechia pallescens (L.) A.Massal. (1853)
  • Ochrolechia parella (L.) A.Massal. (1852)
  • Ochrolechia pseudopallescens Brodo (1991)[13]
  • Ochrolechia pseudotartarea (Vain.) Verseghy (1962)
  • Ochrolechia raynorii E.A.Tripp & J.L.Watts (2025)[19] – Colorado, US
  • Ochrolechia rhodoleuca (Th.Fr.) Brodo (1988)
  • Ochrolechia rugomarginata Q.Ren (2017)[12]
  • Ochrolechia splendens Lumbsch & Messuti (2003)[20]
  • Ochrolechia subathallina H.Magn. (1940)[21]
  • Ochrolechia subisidiata Brodo (1991)[13]
  • Ochrolechia subpallescens Verseghy (1962)[22]
  • Ochrolechia subrhodotropa (A.W.Archer) K.Schmitz & Lumbsch (1994)
  • Ochrolechia subrosella Z.F.Jia & Z.T.Zhao (2005)[23]
  • Ochrolechia subviridis (Høeg) Erichsen (1930)
  • Ochrolechia szatalaensis Verseghy (1958)[24]
  • Ochrolechia tartarea (L.) A.Massal. (1852)
  • Ochrolechia tiroliensis (Erichsen) Hafellner & Türk (2001)
  • Ochrolechia trochophora (Vain.) Oshio (1968)
  • Ochrolechia turneri (Sm.) Zopf (1896)
  • Ochrolechia upsaliensis (L.) A.Massal. (1852)
  • Ochrolechia weymouthii Jatta (1911)[25]
  • Ochrolechia xanthostoma (Sommerf.) K.Schmitz & Lumbsch (1994)

References

  1. ↑ Hyde, K.D.; Noorabadi, M.T.; Thiyagaraja, V.; He, M.Q.; Johnston, P.R.; Wijesinghe, S.N. et al. (2024). "The 2024 Outline of Fungi and fungus-like taxa". Mycosphere 15 (1): 5146–6239 [5266]. doi:10.5943/mycosphere/15/1/25. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/385939154. 
  2. ↑ Massalongo, A.B. (1852) (in la). Ricerche sull'autonomia dei licheni crostosi. Verona: Dalla tipografia di A. Frizierio. p. 30. https://archive.org/details/ricerchesullaut00massgoog/page/n51/mode/2up. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Schmitt, Imke; Yamamoto, Yoshikazu; Lumbsch, H. Thorsten (2006). "Phylogeny of Pertusariales (Ascomycotina): resurrection of Ochrolechiaceae and new circumscription of Megasporaceae". Journal of the Hattori Botanical Laboratory 100 (100): 753–764. 
  4. ↑ Hodkinson, B.P.; Lendemer, J. (2011). "The orders of Ostropomycetidae (Lecanoromycetes, Ascomycota): Recognition of Sarrameanales and Trapeliales with a request to retain Pertusariales over Agyriales". Phytologia 93 (3): 407–412. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/47195855. 
  5. ↑ Kraichak, Ekaphan; Huang, Jen-Pan; Nelsen, Matthew; Leavitt, Steven D.; Lumbsch, H. Thorsten (2018). "A revised classification of orders and families in the two major subclasses of Lecanoromycetes (Ascomycota) based on a temporal approach". Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 188 (3): 233–249. doi:10.1093/botlinnean/boy060. 
  6. ↑ Kaasalainen, Ulla; Kukwa, Martin; Rikkinen, Jouko; Schmidt, Alexander R. (2019). "Crustose lichens with lichenicolous fungi from Paleogene amber". Scientific Reports 9 (1): 1–7. doi:10.1038/s41598-019-46692-w. PMID 31316089. Bibcode: 2019NatSR...910360K. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 Cannon, P.; Kukwa, M.; Coppins, B.; Fletcher, A.; Sanderson, N.; Simkin, J. (2021). Pertusariales: Ochrolechiaceae, including the genera Lepra, Ochrolechia and Varicellaria. Revisions of British and Irish Lichens. 5. pp. 8–9. https://britishlichensociety.org.uk/sites/default/files/Ochrolechiaceae.pdf.  open access
  8. ↑ Species Fungorum. "Ochrolechia". Catalog of Life. https://www.catalogueoflife.org/data/taxon/66H3. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Kukwa, M. (2009). "Ochrolechia aegaea and O. alaskana, two species with gyrophoric and variolaric acids in the cortex". Graphis Scripta 21 (2): 42–48. 
  10. ↑ Vainio, Edvard A. (1926). "Lichenes Africani Novi" (in la). Annales Universitatis Fennicae Aboënsis 2 (3): 1–33. 
  11. ↑ Kantvilas, G.; Fryday, A.M. (2021). "Validation of Henry Imshaug's "Ochrolechia alectoronica" (lichenised Ascomycetes, Pertusariales), with notes on O. weymouthii Jatta and a key to the genus Ochrolechia in Tasmania". Swainsona 35 (5): 67–72. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 Ren, Qiang (2017). "A revision of the lichen genus Ochrolechia in China". The Lichenologist 49 (1): 67–84. doi:10.1017/S0024282916000529. Bibcode: 2017ThLic..49...67R. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 Brodo, Irwin M. (1991). "Studies in the lichen genus Ochrolechia. 2. Corticolous species of North America". Canadian Journal of Botany 69 (4): 733–772. doi:10.1139/b91-099. Bibcode: 1991CaJB...69..733B. 
  14. ↑ Kukwa, Martin (2011). The lichen genus 'Ochrolechia' in Europe. Gdansk: Fundacja Rozwoju Uniwersytetu Gdańskiego. ISBN 9788375311709. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Spribille, Toby; Fryday, Alan M.; Pérez-Ortega, Sergio; Svensson, Måns; Tønsberg, Tor; Ekman, Stefan; Holien, Håkon; Resl, Philipp et al. (2020). "Lichens and associated fungi from Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska". The Lichenologist 52 (2): 61–181. doi:10.1017/S0024282920000079. PMID 32788812. Bibcode: 2020ThLic..52...61S. 
  16. ↑ Lumbsch, H.T.; Ahti, T.; Altermann, S.; De Paz, G.A.; Aptroot, A.; Arup, U. et al. (2011). "One hundred new species of lichenized fungi: a signature of undiscovered global diversity". Phytotaxa 18 (1): 9–11. doi:10.11646/phytotaxa.18.1.1. Bibcode: 2011Phytx..18....1L. https://www.mapress.com/phytotaxa/content/2011/f/p00018p127f.pdf. 
  17. ↑ Ertz, Damien; Fryday, Alan; Schmitt, Imke; Charrier, Maryvonne; Dudek, Magdalena; Kukwa, Martin (2016). "Ochrolechia kerguelensis sp. nov. from the Southern Hemisphere and O. antarctica reinstated from the synonymy of O. parella". Phytotaxa 280 (2): 129–140. doi:10.11646/phytotaxa.280.2.3. Bibcode: 2016Phytx.280..129E. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/309273308. 
  18. ↑ Elix, J.A. (2007). "Further new crustose lichens (Ascomycota) from Australia". Australasian Lichenology 61: 21–25. 
  19. ↑ Manzitto-Tripp, Erin A.; Watts, Jacob L. (2025). "Ochrolechia raynori, a new lichen species from the southern Rocky Mountains (Colorado, USA) and key to asexually reproducing Ochrolechia in western North America". Wild 2 (3). doi:10.3390/wild2030028. 
  20. ↑ Lumbsch, H. Thorsten; Messuti, María Inés; Nash, Thomas H. (2003). "Ochrolechia splendens (Pertusariaceae), a new species from south-western North America". The Lichenologist 35 (5–6): 387–391. doi:10.1016/S0024-2829(03)00057-4. Bibcode: 2003ThLic..35..387L. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/231760462. 
  21. ↑ Magnusson, A.H. (1939). "Western American lichens, mainly from Oregon". Meddelelser från Götebörgs Botaniska Trädgård 13: 237–253. 
  22. ↑ Verseghy, K. (1962) (in de). Die Gattung Ochrolechia. Beihefte zur Nova Hedwigia. 1. p. 118. 
  23. ↑ Jia, Z.F.; Zhao, Z.T. (2005). "A new species of the lichen genus Ochrolechia from China". Mycosystema 24: 162–163. 
  24. ↑ Verseghy, K. (1958). "Studien über die Gattung Ochrolechia II. Neue Flechten" (in de). Annales Historico-Naturales Musei Nationalis Hungarici 50: 75–85. 
  25. ↑ Jatta, A. (1911). "Lichenes lecti in Tasmania a W. Weymouth". Bolletino della Società Botanica Italiana 1911: 253–260. 
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Wikidata ☰ Q2713302 entry



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