Harusavskia

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Harusavskia
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Species:
Template:Taxonomy/Harusavskia H. elenkinianoides
Binomial name
Template:Taxonomy/Harusavskia Harusavskia elenkinianoides
S.Y.Kondr., X.Yuan Wang, S.O.Oh & Hur (2017)
Harusavskia
Holotype site: Laguna del Maule, Chile

Harusavskia is single-species fungal genus in the family Teloschistaceae. [1] It contains the little-known species Harusavskia elenkinianoides, a saxicolous (rock-dwelling), crustose lichen. This species is known only from its original collection site near the Laguna del Maule in Chile.

Contents

Taxonomy

Harusavskia elenkinianoides was formally described as a new species in 2017. The type specimen was collected from the Laguna del Maule in Chile at an elevation of 1,887 m (6,191 ft), where it was found growing on siliceous rock. The genus name derives its name from two key characteristics. Firstly, it references the distinctive " halo " around the ascospores , a key feature in its spore structure. Secondly, the name pays homage to its resemblance to Rusavskia elegans , to which this lichen was first included. The species epithet alludes to a resemblance with Elenkiniana gomerana , a lichen found in the Canary Islands. Phylogenetically, genus Harusavskia is in the Filsoniana clade of the subfamily Teloschistoideae in the family Teloschistaceae. [2]

Description

In the genus Harusavskia, the thallus is areolate at the centre, meaning it has a cracked, patchy appearance, and transitions to a lobate form at the edges with well-defined lobes . The colour of the thallus ranges from yellow-brownish orange to brownish yellow-orange. The outer, or peripheral, portions are either matt or slightly shiny, featuring relatively few pseudocyphellae – small, white, porous spots. In contrast, the central area has numerous pseudocyphellae, giving it an eroded appearance with a whitish-brownish yellow-orange hue. The thallus can grow to a diameter of several centimetres. [2]

The apothecia (fruiting bodies) of Harusavskia are typically 0.4 to 1.3 mm in diameter and about 0.5 mm thick. They are lecanorine in form. This means they have a thalline exciple – a rim that is similar in composition to the thallus – coloured yellowish-brownish orange, and a disc that is usually flat and dark brownish brick-orange. The true exciple , the layer just outside the reproductive cells, has a complex or globular cellular structure with very thin cell walls. The thalline exciple's cortical layer is composed of densely packed cells. The subhymenium , the layer below the hymenium, contains numerous oil droplets. The asci (spore-bearing cells) typically contain eight spores. These spores are simple , with an undeveloped or only partially developed septum (a dividing wall), visible only in their early stages. They are surrounded by a distinct halo that is 1 to 1.2 (up to 1.5)  μm wide when treated with a solution of potassium hydroxide. [2]

Chemically, Harusavskia reacts distinctly to potassium hydroxide solution (i.e., the K spot test). The thallus turns purple, while the epihymenium (the top layer above the hymenium) and the cortical layer of the thalline exciple change to a bright crimson purple. The cortex of the thalline section reacts by turning bluish, violet, or ink-purple. [2]

Habitat and distribution

At the time of its original publication, Harusavskia elenkinianoides was known to occur only at its type locality in Chile, where it grows on siliceous rock.

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References

  1. "Harusavskia". Catalogue of Life . Species 2000: Leiden, the Netherlands. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Kondratyuk, S.Y.; Lőkös, L.; Upreti, D.K.; Nayaka, S.; Mishra, G.K.; Ravera, S.; Jeong, M.-H.; Jang, S.-H.; Park, J.S.; Hur, J.S. (2017). "New monophyletic branches of the Teloschistaceae (lichen-forming Ascomycota) proved by three gene phylogeny". Acta Botanica Hungarica. 59 (1–2): 71–136 [97]. doi:10.1556/034.59.2017.1-2.6. hdl: 10447/414429 .