Neoprotoparmelia capensis

Neoprotoparmelia capensis is a species of saxicolous (rock-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Parmeliaceae. Found in South Africa, it was formally described as a new species in 2018 by Víctor Jiménez Rico, Ana Crespo, and Garima Singh. The type specimen was collected between Papendorp and Strandfontein (Western Cape Province); the specific epithet refers to the province in which it was discovered. The lichen is only known from the type locality, a karoo biome with many succulent plants; it grows on exposed sandstone, forming thin, light grey to pale to strong brown and areolate crusts up to 8 cm (3 in) in diameter.

Neoprotoparmelia capensis
Image of holotype specimen, showing a) habit b) section through centre of apothecium, showing cup-shaped proper exciple (arrow) c) ascus d) spores, showing setae (arrow). Scale bars: 2 mm (a), 100 µm (b), 10 µm (c), 5 µm (d).
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Fungi
Division:	Ascomycota
Class:	Lecanoromycetes
Order:	Lecanorales
Family:	Parmeliaceae
Genus:	Neoprotoparmelia
Species:	N. capensis
Binomial name
Neoprotoparmelia capensis V.J.Rico, A.Crespo & Garima Singh (2018)