Fulgogasparrea appressa is a species of saxicolous (rock-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Teloschistaceae.[2] It has a widespread distribution in western Mexico, including Baja California. It is characterized by its vibrant colors, unique shape, and specific habitat preferences.
| Fulgogasparrea appressa | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Ascomycota |
| Class: | Lecanoromycetes |
| Order: | Teloschistales |
| Family: | Teloschistaceae |
| Genus: | Fulgogasparrea |
| Species: | F. appressa
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| Binomial name | |
| Fulgogasparrea appressa | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Taxonomy edit
Caloplaca appressa was scientifically described as a member of the genus Caloplaca by lichenologists Clifford Wetmore and Ingvar Kärnefelt in 1998.[3] Ulf Arup and colleagues transferred it to the genus Wetmoreana in 2013, as part of a molecular phylogenetics-directed restructuring of the family Teloschistaceae.[4] It was finally moved to genus Fulgogasparrea in 2015.[5]
The species epithet appressa alludes to the tightly appressed nature of its thallus to the rock substrate. The type specimen for this species was discovered in Sonora, Mexico, specifically 72 miles east of Hermosillo on the road to Sahuaripa, situated in a thorn forest on rhyolite (a silica-rich volcanic rock) at an elevation of about 1,900 ft (580 m).[3]
Description edit
The thallus of Caloplaca appressa displays a spectrum of colors from yellowish-orange to orange. The central portion of this thallus has a patchy or areolate appearance with slightly raised patches. The lichen's margins are characterized by distinct lobes that broaden slightly at their tips. These lobes, often tightly adhered to rock surfaces, vary in size, typically falling between 0.7 and 2.0 mm in length and 0.4–1.0 mm in width. The apothecia, which are reproductive structures, can either be sessile or slightly raised. These have a reddish-orange disc and are encircled by a thin thalline margin. The spores measure around 11–14 by 5.6–7.0 μm with an isthmus (a narrower mid-section) of about 5.5–7.0 μm. Further, the presence of pycnidia, small structures, is also noted, which are red in color. Standard chemical spot tests reveal that reactions with certain chemicals (K, C, I) produce specific color changes, offering additional identification markers.[3]
Habitat and distribution edit
Caloplaca appressa thrives on various types of acidic rocks situated in exposed environments. Its presence is predominantly noted in western parts of Mexico and in regions of Baja California.[3]
References edit
- ^ "Synonymy. Current Name: Fulgogasparrea appressa (Wetmore & Kärnefelt) S.Y. Kondr., Elix, Kärnefelt & A. Thell, in Kondratyuk, Kärnefelt, Thell, Elix, Kim, Kondratiuk & Hur, Acta bot. hung. 57(3-4): 339 (2015)". Species Fungorum. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
- ^ "Fulgogasparrea appressa (Wetmore & Kärnefelt) S.Y. Kondr., Elix, Kärnefelt & A. Thell". Catalogue of Life. Species 2000: Leiden, the Netherlands. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
- ^ a b c d Wetmore, Clifford M.; Kärnefelt, Einar I. (1998). "The lobate and subfruticose species of Caloplaca in North and Central America". The Bryologist. 101 (2): 230. doi:10.2307/3244201. JSTOR 3244201.
- ^ Arup, Ulf; Søchting, Ulrik; Frödén, Patrik (2013). "A new taxonomy of the family Teloschistaceae". Nordic Journal of Botany. 31 (1): 16–83. doi:10.1111/j.1756-1051.2013.00062.x.
- ^ Kondratyuk, S.Y.; Kärnefelt, I.; Thell, A.; Elix, J.A.; Kim, J.; Kondratiuk, A. S.; Hur, J.-S. (2015). "Brownlielloideae, a new subfamily in the Teloschistaceae (Lecanoromycetes, Ascomycota)" (PDF). Acta Botanica Hungarica. 57 (3–4): 321–343. doi:10.1556/034.57.2015.3-4.6.