Teuvoa

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Teuvoa
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Class: Lecanoromycetes
Order: Pertusariales
Family: Megasporaceae
Genus: Teuvoa
Sohrabi & S.D.Leav. (2013)
Type species
Teuvoa uxoris
(Werner) Sohrabi, V.J.Rico & S.Leav. (2013)
Species

T. alpina
T. junipericola
T. saxicola
T. tibetica
T. uxoris

Contents

Teuvoa is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Megasporaceae. [1] It was first classified by lichenologists Mohammad Sohrabi and Steven Leavitt in 2013, with Teuvoa uxoris asigned as the type species. This genus was delineated from the larger genus, Aspicilia , following a molecular phylogenetic analysis which revealed that the Aspicilia uxoris species group constituted a distinct lineage in the Megasporaceae. Initially containing three species, two additional species native to China were added in 2018. Teuvoa is characterised by its small ascospores and conidia , and the absence of secondary metabolites.

The physical characteristics of Teuvoa include a crustose thallus, forming a distinct areolate or patchy pattern, which can range from white to grey in colour with a dull surface. The innermost layer, or medulla, is white. The genus's photobiont , a photosynthesising partner, generally belongs to the green alga genus Trebouxia or similar chlorococcoid genera. Reproduction in Teuvoa occurs through the formation of apothecia , cup-like structures that bear spore-producing asci. Teuvoa is distinct from related genera such as Aspicilia and Lobothallia due to a variety of features including size, secondary metabolites, and ecological amplitude.

Taxonomy

The genus was circumscribed in 2013 by lichenologists Mohammad Sohrabi and Steven Leavitt with Teuvoa uxoris assigned as the type species. Teuvoa was segregated from the large genus Aspicilia (family Megasporaceae) after molecular phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Aspicilia uxoris species group formed a monophyletic clade that represented an independent lineage within the Megasporaceae. [2] Three species were initially placed in the genus; two additional species from China were added in 2018. [3] Teuvoa is distinguished from Aspicilia by its small ascospores and conidia (the latter measuring 5–8  μm), and the lack of secondary metabolites. The genus name honours Finnish lichenologist Teuvo Ahti, "one of the prominent lichen taxonomists of the 20th century". [2]

Description

The crustose thallus, or body, of Teuvoa, forms a distinctly areolate or patchy pattern. It can appear white to grey in colour and possesses a dull surface. Unlike some lichens, Teuvoa lacks cephalodia (specialised structures for nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria) and pseudocyphellae (small pores on the lichen surface). Beneath the surface, Teuvoa has a single-layered cortex comprising paraplectenchymatous tissue, a particular type of arrangement of fungal hyphae. Its medulla, or innermost layer, is white in colour and does not turn blue when exposed to iodine (I−). The photobiont , or photosynthesising partner, in this lichen genus can be from the green alga genus Trebouxia or similar chlorococcoid genera, with the algal cells being more or less spherical in shape. [2]

The reproductive structures of Teuvoa, the ascomata, form apothecia , cup-like structures bearing spore-producing asci. The disc of these structures ranges from black to brown-black and can be flat or occasionally concave or convex. The thalline margin surrounding the disc is elevated and matches the colour of the thallus. The exciple , or external tissue of the ascomata, is thin and can be stained by iodine (I+). [2]

Internally, the epihymenium , the top layer of the hymenium (spore-bearing tissue), presents a green to olive-brown colour. The subhymenium and hypothecium (layers beneath the hymenium) are colourless but turn blue when exposed to iodine (I+ blue). The asci resemble those of the genus Aspicilia , with their wall and apical dome not turning blue when iodine is applied (I−), while their outer coat does (I+ blue). The ascospores are simple, colourless, and can be spherical to ellipsoid in shape. Additionally, Teuvoa forms pycnidia , small flask-shaped structures producing asexual spores or conidia , which are hyaline (translucent), simple, and tend to be more or less straight. [2]

Species in this genus do not react with common chemical spot tests. Moreover, no secondary metabolites (lichen products) that are often important for lichen identification, have been detected in Teuvoa. [2]

Teuvoa is distinct from Aspicilia due to its smaller ascospore and conidia size, measuring 5–8 μm, and the lack of secondary metabolites It also differs from the genus Lobothallia , in that it does not have lobate , radiating thalli, a subhypothecial algal layer , or certain secondary metabolites, and it grows on organic substrates such as bark, wood, and dead plant debris. Teuvoa also stands apart from Aspicilia subgenus Pachyothallia due to its absence of a subhypothecial algal layer, lecanoroid apothecia, certain secondary metabolites, and its different ecological amplitude, growing on organic substrates. [2]

Habitat, ecology, and distribution

The lichen genus Teuvoa consists of five species, each having a unique habitat preference and geographical distribution. Teuvoa junipericola is primarily found across the arid continental regions of the western United States. Its distribution is notably concentrated within the Colorado Plateau and Great Basin, regions known for their unique ecological characteristics. Teuvoa uxoris is a species with a Madrean-Thethyan disjunction, a distribution pattern typically found in plants of Mediterranean and Tethyan regions. Its distribution spans across vast continental Mediterranean zones that include the Mediterranean, Irano-Turanian, and Saharo-Sindian phytogeographical regions, suggesting a possible shared ecology with other lichens and bryophytes known to inhabit these areas. [2]

In terms of habitat, Teuvoa uxoris favours coniferous trees and shrubs, including Cedrus atlantica , several Juniperus species, and Pinus halepensis . Given these hosts' acidic bark, it is plausible that T. uxoris may also be found on other conifer species such as Juniperus excelsa , J. osteosperma , J. polycarpos , and J. sabina . The geographical range of these Cupressaceae is broad and includes the western and eastern Mediterranean, Minor Asia, Central Asia, Pakistan, and India. T. uxoris seems to prefer open forests in semi-arid regions, away from coastal influences, and in areas with distinct seasonal climate changes. There have been instances where T. uxoris was discovered on different substrates, indicating its capacity to adapt to varied habitats. [2]

Teuvoa tibetica is native to the Himalaya Range in Tibet. It particularly thrives in high-altitude regions, specifically between 5,100–5,300 m (16,700–17,400 ft), in areas dotted with Kobresia meadows and rocky slopes. There, it grows on soil. Teuvoa saxicola is recognised in the Qinghai and Xinjiang provinces of northwestern China. This species displays a preference for siliceous rock, thriving in arid and semi-arid habitats, thereby mirroring the conditions found in the habitats of its genus companions. Teuvoa alpina is also native to northwestern China, with a distribution similar to T. saxicola. However, unlike T. saxicola, T. alpina favours coniferous wood as a substrate, reflecting the wide range of habitats thatTeuvoa species have adapted to within similar geographical regions. [3]

Species

Related Research Articles

<i>Aspicilia</i> Genus of lichens in the family Aspiciliaceae

Aspicilia is a genus of mostly crustose areolate lichens that grow on rock. Most members have black apothecia discs that are slightly immersed in the areolas, hence the common name"Given the same reason, the naming of Aspicilia is derived from the Greek word for "shield concave".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Megasporaceae</span> Family of lichen-forming fungi

Megasporaceae are a family of fungi belonging to the order Pertusariales. Taxa are lichenized with green algae, and grow on rocks, often in maritime climates close to fresh water. Phylogenetic analysis has shown that this family is related to the Pertusariaceae, another family of lichens. The genus Aspicilia was moved here from the Hymeneliaceae.

<i>Vulpicida</i> Genus of lichen

Vulpicida is a genus of lichenized fungi in the family Parmeliaceae. Circumscribed in 1993 to contain species formerly placed in Cetraria, the genus is widespread in Arctic to northern temperate regions, and contains six species. The genus is characterized by the presence of the secondary metabolites pulvinic acid and vulpinic acid, compounds that when combined with usnic acid, give the species their characteristic yellow and green colors.

<i>Circinaria</i> Genus of lichens

Circinaria is a genus of crustose lichens in the family Megasporaceae. It was circumscribed by Johann Heinrich Friedrich Link in 1809.

Acarospora dissecta is a species of saxicolous (rock-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Acarosporaceae. It grows on volcanic rock in high-altitude regions of the Andes. Its distinguishing features include a crust-like formation of dispersed areoles, a unique combination of organic acids, and a distinctive fissuring pattern. This lichen thrives in the semi-desert, high Andean areas, and currently, its known distribution is limited to specific areas in Bolivia.

Byssoloma fuscothallinum is a species of foliicolous (leaf-dwelling) lichen in the family Pilocarpaceae. Found in Colombia and French Guiana, it was formally described as a new species in 2006 by lichenologist Robert Lücking.

Calopadia saxicola is a species of saxicolous (rock-dwelling) crustose lichen in the family Pilocarpaceae. It is found on the rocky shores of southern Brazil, where it thrives in the shade of vegetated zones and grows directly on rocks away from other crustose lichens. The lichen was formally described as a new species in 2015. Calopadia saxicola stands out from its close relatives due to its well-defined thallus, reddish-brown disc, thicker hymenium, and smaller conidia.

Coenogonium kalbii is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Coenogoniaceae. It has been found in variety of locations in the southern region of Costa Rica, primarily in humid, shaded microsites within low-mountain rainforest environments.

Circinaria mansourii is a species of terricolous (ground-dwelling) crustose lichen in the family Megasporaceae. It is primarily found on soil or plant debris in Iran, particularly in the mountainous steppe-like habitats. It was described as new to science in 2011.

Protothelenella is a genus of fungi in the family Protothelenellaceae. It contains 11 species, some of which form lichens. Protothelenella species have a crustose thallus with spherical to pear-shaped, dark brown to blackish perithecia. Microscopic characteristics of the genus include bitunicate asci with an amyloid tholus, and ascospores that are colourless and contain multiple internal partitions. Some species grow on acidic substrates including rocks, soil, bryophytes, plant detritus or rotten wood. Other species are lichenicolous (lichen-dwelling), growing on species of Solorina, Peltigera, Pseudocyphellaria, or Cladonia.

Calogaya orientalis is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling) and muscicolous lichen (moss-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Teloschistaceae. It is found in arid steppe and desert habitats in Northwestern China, Iran, and Turkey. The thallus of this lichen is reduced, similar to species in the genus Athallia.

Schaereria porpidioides is a species of saxicolous (rock-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Schaereriaceae. It is found in the Falkland Islands.

Upretia is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Teloschistaceae. It has three species of saxicolous (rock-dwelling), crustose lichens. Upretia is characterised by its small ascospores and narrow, rod-shaped conidia. The distribution of the genus ranges from mid-altitude rocky terrains in India to both arid and higher altitudinal environments in China.

Sirenophila cliffwetmorei is a species of saxicolous (rock-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Teloschistaceae. It is found in Australia. Its thallus can reach up to 1 centimetre in width, has a whitish to whitish-grey colour, and is very thin, sometimes almost merging with the substrate, and has paler edges with a darker grey centre. Its numerous tiny apothecia give the thallus a yellow-orange appearance.

Buellia cravenii is a species of saxicolous (rock-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Caliciaceae. It is found in Australia. The lichen spreads up to 3.5 cm wide thick, forming a continuous, grey-white cracked pattern of areoles.

Pyrenodesmia micromarina is a species of saxicolous (rock-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Teloschistaceae. It is found in the Eastern Mediterranean, specifically along the coasts of the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara in Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine. It grows on coastal rocks and occasionally concrete, often in Mediterranean scrub vegetation.

Caloplaca kiewkaensis is a species of bark- and wood-dwelling crustose lichen in the family Teloschistaceae. Described as a new species in 2011, this lichen is found in the Far East region of Russia, specifically within Primorsky Krai.

<i>Flavoplaca oasis</i> Species of lichen

Flavoplaca oasis is a species of saxicolous (rock-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Teloschistaceae. It is widely distributed across Europe, and has been reported in Western Asia, China, and North Africa.

Filsoniana ferdinandmuelleri is a species of saxicolous (rock-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Teloschistaceae. It is found in Australia. The lichen has a squamulose (scaly) thallus, with a range of bright yellow to greenish-yellow and brownish-orange colours in its soredia and apothecia, respectively. The areoles of this lichen are varied in size, slightly raised from the thallus surface, and each carries one to four apothecia. The soralia are rounded or irregularly shaped, covering most of the thallus surface as a yellow to greenish-yellow mass. The apothecia have dark brownish-orange discs, surrounded by slightly paler yellow margins, with the spore-bearing asci containing typically eight brownish-golden ascospores.

Nitidochapsa is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Graphidaceae. It has five species of corticolous (bark-dwelling), crustose lichens.

References

  1. ↑ "Teuvoa". Catalogue of Life . Species 2000: Leiden, the Netherlands. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Sohrabi, Mohammad; Leavitt, Steven D.; Rico, Víctor J.; Halici, Mehmet G.; Shrestha, Gajendra; Stenroos, Soili (2013). "Teuvoa, a new lichen genus in Megasporaceae (Ascomycota: Pertusariales), including Teuvoa junipericola sp. nov". The Lichenologist. 45 (3): 347–360. doi:10.1017/S0024282913000108. S2CID   84530559.
  3. 1 2 Ren, Qiang; Zhang, Li Hua; Hou, Xue Jiao (2018). "Teuvoa alpina and T. saxicola spp. nov. and the genus in China". Mycotaxon. 133 (1): 79–88. doi: 10.5248/133.79 .
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