Biology:Peltula lobulata
| Peltula lobulata | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Ascomycota |
| Class: | Lichinomycetes |
| Order: | Lichinales |
| Family: | Peltulaceae |
| Genus: | Peltula |
| Species: | P. lobulata
|
| Binomial name | |
| Peltula lobulata Q.X.Yang & X.L.Wei (2022)
| |
| <mapframe zoom="3" frameless="1" align="center" longitude="116.28333333333" latitude="40.25" height="200" width="270">{"type":"Feature","geometry":{"coordinates":[116.28333333333333,40.25],"type":"Point"},"properties":{"title":"Peltula lobulata","marker-color":"#5E74F3"}}</mapframe> | |
| Holotype: Mangshan National Forest Park, Beijing[1] | |
Peltula lobulata is a species of saxicolous (rock-dwelling), squamulose lichen that belongs to the family Peltulaceae.[2] This species was first described in 2019 following its discovery in Beijing, China.
Taxonomy
Peltula lobulata was formally described as a new species in 2019 by Qiuxia Yang and Xinli Wei. Its species epithet, lobulata, derived from Latin, refers to the numerous small lobes, or [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]], present on the lichen's body. The holotype, the specimen used for the original description, was collected in Mangshan National Forest Park, Beijing.[1]
Description
The Peltula lobulata has a thallus that is scale-like ([[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]]) in forms, and grows up to 2.5 mm in diameter. The thallus is irregularly rounded, ranging from convex to flat, with many small lobules that become apparent as it matures. The edges of the thallus are curled downwards and lobed, lighter in colour than the rest of the body. The upper surface is dark olive-green, uneven in colour, and rough ([[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]]), sometimes showing cracks, without any powdery or granular cover ([[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]]). The lower surface is [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]], nearly black, and tightly adheres to the [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] with a central, short attachment point ([[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]]).[1]
The thallus thickness ranges from 185 to 300 micrometres (μm), with lobules up to 125 μm thick. Unlike many lichens, the upper [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] is not fully developed but includes a yellowish outer layer ([[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]]) 5 μm thick. The layer containing the photosynthetic partner ([[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]]), which is made up of cyanobacteria, is 56–105 μm thick. The inner layer (medulla) is composed of loosely interwoven fungal filaments (hyphae) and round cells, while the lower cortex is tightly packed ([[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]]) and about 30 μm thick.[1]
Reproductive structures (apothecia) are rare, small, and embed within the thallus, with 1–2 typically found per scale of the thallus. The [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] is yellow-brown. The spore-producing sacs (asci) are club-shaped, containing more than 60 spores each, and the spores are clear (hyaline), lack septa, and measure 5.5–8.3 by 2.7–3.8 μm.[1]
Habitat and distribution
Peltula lobulata is found growing on sun-exposed red shale and grey sandstone along roadsides at low mountain altitudes. At the time of its publication, it was known only from its type locality in China and tends to grow isolated from other species.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Yang, Qiuxia; Cheng, Xiangmin; Zhang, Tinting; Liu, Xinzhan; Wei (2022). "Five new species of the lichen-forming fungal genus Peltula from China". Journal of Fungi 8 (2): e134. doi:10.3390/jof8020134. PMID 35205887.
- ↑ "Peltula lobulata Q.X. Yang & X.L. Wei". Species 2000: Leiden, the Netherlands. https://www.catalogueoflife.org/data/taxon/B2NG2.
Wikidata ☰ Q130703168 entry
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