Biology:Psoromella
Psoromella is a fungal genus of uncertain familial classification in the order Lecanorales. The genus is monotypic, containing the single species Psoromella pampana, a soil-dwelling lichen found in Argentina.
Taxonomy
Both the genus and its species were described by the Hungarian lichenologist Vilmos Kőfaragó-Gyelnik in 1940. The type specimen was collected at an elevation of about 2,200 m (7,200 ft) above sea level in the Pampas region of Argentina by Carl Curt Hosseus. Gyelnik originally classified the genus in the family Parmeliaceae because of its [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] thallus structure (having distinct layers) and the arrangement of its internal layers, particularly the position of the [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] relative to other tissues.[1] The genus is now classified as being of uncertain (incertae sedis) familial position in the order Lecanorales.[2] As of 1016, no molecular sequence data was available for this taxon.[3]
Description
The thallus, which forms the main body of the lichen, has a scaly surface texture with individual scales that take on a somewhat rounded shape, measuring 1–2 mm in diameter. These scales are distinctly concave with edges that curl inward. The upper surface appears smooth and shiny with a waxy or pomaceous (apple-like) appearance, while the underside is pale and opaque. The lichen attaches itself to its soil [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] through fungal threads (hyphae).[1]
In cross-section, the internal structure reveals several distinct layers. The uppermost cortical layer consists of tightly packed fungal cells forming what is known as [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] tissue. Below this lies a dense upper medullary layer, followed by a loose medullary layer containing large air spaces. The lower medullary layer houses the photosynthetic partner in the form of green algal cells. The bottom-most [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] layer shows variation in its development, being reduced or entirely absent in certain areas.[1]
At the time of the original description, the reproductive structures (apothecia) had not been observed. However, the species was known to produce asexual reproductive cells (conidia), which have a characteristic finger-like (dactylococcoid) shape.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Gyelnik, V.K. (1940). "Lichenes argentinenses a professore C. C. Hosseus collecti. Continuatio secunda". Lilloa 5 (2): 201–211 [208]. https://www.lillo.org.ar/journals/index.php/lilloa/article/view/911.
- ↑ 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 [5255]. doi:10.5943/mycosphere/15/1/25. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/385939154.
- ↑ Lücking, Robert; Hodkinson, Brendan P.; Leavitt, Steven D. (2017). "The 2016 classification of lichenized fungi in the Ascomycota and Basidiomycota–Approaching one thousand genera". The Bryologist 119 (4): 361–416 [375]. doi:10.1639/0007-2745-119.4.361.
Wikidata ☰ Q7256122 entry
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