Paratopeliopsis

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Paratopeliopsis
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Class: Lecanoromycetes
Order: Graphidales
Family: Graphidaceae
Genus: Paratopeliopsis
Merc.-Díaz, Lücking & Parnmen (2014)
Species:
P. caraibica
Binomial name
Paratopeliopsis caraibica
Merc.-Díaz, Lücking & Parnmen (2014)

Paratopeliopsis is a single-species fungal genus in the family Graphidaceae. [1] It contains the species Paratopeliopsis caraibica, a corticolous (bark-dwelling), leprose lichen found in Puerto Rico's forests, where it cohabits with mosses on tree trunks. This lichen sets itself apart from other species in the tribe Thelotremateae, particularly those within the genus Topeliopsis , primarily due to its flour-like ( farinose ) thallus and its comparatively small, brown spores.

Contents

Taxonomy

The genus Paratopeliopsis was circumscribed in 2014 by lichenologists Joel Mercado-Díaz, Robert Lücking, and Sittiporn Parnmen. The genus name alludes to its similarity to the ascomata of the genus Topeliopsis , despite the two being only distantly related. The species epithet caraibica makes reference to an expected distribution throughout the Caribbean. The type specimen was found in Naguabo, Puerto Rico, specifically in the Barrio Río Blanco, on the trunk of a Cyrilla racemiflora tree. Molecular data suggested a distinct place for Paratopeliopsis caraibica within the tribe Thelotremateae, as it does not align closely with any of the currently accepted genera. [2]

Despite the initial confusion of the authors, Paratopeliopsis caraibica is not closely related to the genus Topeliopsis. Its ascomata may appear similar to Topeliopsis, but molecular data suggests a significant genetic divergence. Further research is necessary to fully understand the boundaries of the genus and its relationship with other lichen species. [2]

Description

The thallus of Paratopeliopsis caraibica is corticolous, growing on the bark of trees and over adjacent mosses. Its continuous, flour-like surface exhibits a light greyish-green colour with a bluish tinge and can reach up to 5 cm (2 in) in diameter. The photobiont, Trentepohlia , consists of densely packed, olive-green cells that are rounded to irregular in shape. The ascomata are small, rounded, and crowded, with flesh-coloured to grey-brown discs . The ascospores are grey-brown, elliptical, three-septate, and have a length 2–3 times their width, with dimensions of 10–12 by 4–5  μm. [2]

Similar species

Paratopeliopsis caraibica was initially identified as Thelotrema byssoideum , a species native to Borneo and commonly found in tropical Southeast Asia and Australia. Both species share characteristics like a leprose thallus, small crowded ascomata, and grey-brown, three-septate ascospores. However, Thelotrema byssoideum differs in its felty thallus, larger, ornamented ascospores, and the presence of psoromic acid as a secondary compound. These differences, along with molecular data, indicate that while both species may appear similar, they belong to different tribes. [2]

Habitat and distribution

This lichen species inhabits the shady understory of the palo colorado forest within El Yunque National Forest in Puerto Rico. It has been observed growing amidst mosses on the trunk of a Cyrilla racemiflora tree, suggesting a preference for such environments. [2]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Graphidaceae</span> Family of fungi

The Graphidaceae are a family of lichen-forming fungi in the order Graphidales. The family contains nearly a hundred genera and more than 2000 species. Although the family has a cosmopolitan distribution, most Graphidaceae species occur in tropical regions, and typically grow on bark.

Acanthotrema is a genus of lichens in the family Graphidaceae. The genus was circumscribed by German lichenologist Andreas Frisch in 2006, with Acanthotrema brasilianum assigned as the type species. Acanthotrema species are commonly found in rainforests ranging from lowland to montane environments.

Cruentotrema is a genus of corticolous (bark-dwelling) lichens in the family Graphidaceae. It has seven species.

Clandestinotrema is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Graphidaceae. It has 17 species. They typically inhabit montane and cloud forest at higher elevations in the tropics.

Austrotrema is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Graphidaceae. It is primarily found in the Australian-Southeast Asian region. The genus is characterized by small, pore-like apothecia with a double margin, faintly amyloid ascospores, and stictic acid chemistry. Austrotrema species grow on tree bark and have a continuous thallus with a cortex that is prosoplectenchymatous–featuring densely packed, filamentous fungal hyphae that run parallel to the surface of the lichen, creating a compact and firm texture. The genus is closely related to Thelotrema and Leucodecton, but can be distinguished from them based on molecular phylogenetic data, specific morphological traits, and its secondary chemistry. Currently, Austrotrema comprises three species.

Asteristion is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Graphidaceae. It has seven species. Previously considered a synonym of either Phaeotrema or Thelotrema, molecular evidence led to its resurrection as a distinct genus. Asteristion lichens are corticolous (bark-dwelling), featuring a continuous thallus with a loose to hardened cortex and a photobiont layer containing calcium oxalate crystals. The ascomata, or fruiting bodies, are characterized by their large, often chroodiscoid appearance and the presence of distinct periphysoids. The secondary chemistry of these lichens includes major concentrations of stictic acid and minor to trace amounts of associated substances.

Xalocoa is a single-species fungal genus in the family Graphidaceae. The genus was circumscribed in 2013 by lichenologists Ekaphan Kraichak, Robert Lücking, and H. Thorsten Lumbsch. It contains Xalocoa ocellata, a corticolous (bark-dwelling), crustose lichen that was originally described by Elias Magnus Fries in 1831.

Gintarasia is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Graphidaceae. It has seven species, all of which are found in Australia. Gintarasia species are corticolous (bark-dwelling), crustose lichens with a thelotremoid form.

Borinquenotrema is a single-species fungal genus in the family Graphidaceae. It contains the species Borinquenotrema soredicarpum, a corticolous (bark-dweling) lichen. Found in Puerto Rico, this lichen is characterized by its carbonizedascomata, which develop from within soralia, and its distinctive distoseptate, violet-blue ascospores. Borinquenotrema soredicarpum grows on tree trunks in shaded understory environments of Tabonuco forests in El Yunque National Forest.

Cruentotrema amazonum is a little-known species of script lichen in the family Graphidaceae. It is found in Brazil, Thailand, and Vietnam, where it grows in the understory of primary rainforests.

Fissurina amyloidea is a little-known species of script lichen in the family Graphidaceae. It is found in the primary rainforests of Rondônia, Brazil. It is characterized by its weakly carbonizedlirellae and thick-walled, strongly amyloid ascospores. Despite its superficial similarity to Fissurina subfurfuracea, F. amyloidea exhibits unique anatomical features that set it apart from other species within the genus.

<i>Acanthotrema alboisidiatum</i> Species of lichen

Acanthotrema alboisidiatum is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling) crustose lichen in the family Graphidaceae. Described as a new species in 2014, it is primarily distinguished by its striking white isidia that contrast with its light olive-green thallus. The lichen was recognized as a new species despite the absence of ascomata and ascospores, usually crucial for taxonomic identification. Its DNA sequence data confirms its place in the Acanthotrema genus but distinguishes it from other known members of this genus. The species grows up to a diameter of 5 cm (2 in) and bears short, white isidiate outgrowths that resemble insect eggs. The lichen appears to favour the shaded understory of Tabonuco forests in El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico, particularly towards the base of Dacryodes excelsa trees.

Acanthotrema kalbii is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling) lichen in the family Graphidaceae. First classified as a new species in 2012, the lichen is found in Costa Rica, where it grows in partially shaded areas of disturbed primary forest within the montane rainforest zone. This lichen stands out from its close relative, A. brasilianum, primarily due to the internal structure of its larger ascospores. The inaugural specimen of A. kalbii used for the species' formal description, was located on tree bark in a montane rainforest in the Las Tablas Protected Zone. The lichen is recognisable by its grey-green thallus, which varies from smooth to uneven and produces slender isidia, tiny outgrowths, up to 2 mm in length.

Clandestinotrema portoricense is a rare species of corticolous (bark-dwelling) crustose lichen in the family Graphidaceae. Found in Puerto Rico, it was described as a new species in 2014. It is characterised by its white, slightly shiny thallus that can span several centimetres in diameter, and its rounded ascomata that are immersed in the thallus. Unlike most of its genus counterparts, C. portoricense possesses septated (partitioned) spores and a carbonised (blackened) excipulum and columella, effectively distinguishing it from similar species.

Compositrema is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Graphidaceae. It has four species. The genus was circumscribed in 2012 by lichenologists Eimy Rivas Plata, Robert Lücking, and Helge Thorsten Lumbsch, with C. cerebriforme assigned as the type species. The genus is distinguished by its unique, composite pseudostromatic ascomata, which sets it apart from the otherwise similar genus Stegobolus.

Compositrema borinquense is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling) crustose lichen in the family Graphidaceae. It is found in northeastern Puerto Rico, where it grows on the trunks of trees in the palo Colorado forest of El Yunque National Forest. This lichen differs from others in the genus Compositrema, most notably from its closest relative, C. thailandicum, due to its distinctive, irregularly radiating columella–a central shaft of fungal hyphae in the ascoma.

Compositrema isidiofarinosum is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling) crustose lichen in the family Graphidaceae. This lichen was discovered in Puerto Rico. It flourishes in the shaded understory of the palo Colorado forest in El Yunque National Forest, clinging to the trunks of unidentified trees.

Ocellularia portoricensis is a rare species of corticolous (bark-dwelling) crustose lichen in the family Graphidaceae. It was discovered in Puerto Rico, where it grows on tree trunks within shadowy understories of specific forests. This organism is distinct from other related lichens by its unique characteristics such as a white medulla and relatively larger, brown-tinted ascospores.

Ocellularia vulcanisorediata is a rare species of corticolous (bark-dwelling) lichen in the family Graphidaceae. Described as a new species in 2014, it is only known to occur in Puerto Rico.

Thalloloma rubromarginatum is a little-known species of corticolous (bark-dwelling) script lichen in the family Graphidaceae. This lichen stands out from its counterparts within its genus, most notably Thalloloma haemographum, due to its corticate thallus and the presence of norstictic acid. Thalloloma rubromarginatum is found in the Sierra palm forests of Puerto Rico.

References

  1. "Paratopeliopsis". Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life . Species 2000: Naturalis, Leiden, the Netherlands. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Mercado-Díaz, Joel A.; Lücking, Robert; Parnmen, Sittiporn (2014). "Two new genera and twelve new species of Graphidaceae from Puerto Rico: a case for higher endemism of lichenized fungi in islands of the Caribbean?". Phytotaxa. 189 (1): 186–203. doi: 10.11646/phytotaxa.189.1.14 .