Biology:Thecographa
Thecographa is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Graphidaceae.[1] It has three species of corticolous (bark-dwelling) script lichens.[2] The genus was circumscribed by Abramo Bartolommeo Massalongo in 1860. Although Massalongo did not assign a type species for the genus, David L. Hawksworth set Thecographa prosiliens as the type in 1981.[3] Morphological characteristics of the genus include its [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] (fruiting bodies), the lack of a [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]], and the complete [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] of the [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]].[4]
Description
The genus Thecographa features apothecia (fruiting bodies) that are initially closed and embedded ([[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]]), but later erupt to become open, elevated, and urn-shaped ([[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]]). These apothecia often appear almost stalked, and are characteristically flexible, twisted, and angular. They are rarely and sparsely branched. The apothecia are equipped with a distinctive, [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] excipulum that is cup-shaped. This structure is thin but consistent, enveloped by the thallus or tree bark on which the lichen lives. Over time, the covering epidermis may gradually disappear.[5]
The [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] of the apothecia is gelatinous, flattened, and tends to lose its colour, supported by a solid, almost papery base known as the [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]]. The asci (spore-producing structures) are club-shaped and contain 2-4-8 spores, accompanied by paraphyses (sterile filaments interspersed among the asci). The spores are elliptical or ovoid, [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]] (with multiple divisions), initially transparent but becoming cloudy and opaque over time. The thallus of Thecographa is spread out and irregularly shaped, embedding itself into the [[Glossary of lichen terms#{{biology:{1}}}|{{Biology:{1}}}]].[5]
Species
- Thecographa ceramia A.Massal. (1860)
- Thecographa crassilabra (Mont. & Bosch) A.Massal. (1860)
- Thecographa prosiliens (Mont. & Bosch) A.Massal. (1860)
References
- ↑ "Thecographa". Species 2000: Leiden, the Netherlands. https://www.catalogueoflife.org/data/taxon/7VGZ.
- ↑ Wijayawardene, N.N.; Hyde, K.D.; Dai, D.Q.; Sánchez-García, M.; Goto, B.T.; Saxena, R.K. et al. (2022). "Outline of Fungi and fungus-like taxa – 2021". Mycosphere 13 (1): 53–453 [161]. doi:10.5943/mycosphere/13/1/2. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/358798332.
- ↑ Hawksworth, David L.; Sherwood, Martha A. (1981). "(559)–(579) Proposals for nomina conservanda and rejicienda for ascomycete names (lichenized and non-lichenized)". Taxon 30 (1): 338–348. doi:10.2307/1219426.
- ↑ Lücking, Robert; Archer, Alan W.; Aptroot, André (2009). "A world-wide key to the genus Graphis (Ostropales: Graphidaceae)". The Lichenologist 41 (4): 363–452. doi:10.1017/s0024282909008305.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Massalongo, A.B. (1860). "Esame comparative di alcuni generi di licheni" (in it). Atti dell'Imperiale Regio Istituto veneto di scienze, lettere ed arti. 3 5 (5): 316. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=hvd.32044092906627&view=1up&seq=328.
<ref> tag with name "Species Fungorum synonymy" defined in <references> is not used in prior text.Wikidata ☰ Q107289461 entry
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