Porina albotomentosa is a rare species of foliicolous (leaf-dwelling) lichen in the genus Porina, described as a new species in 2022.[1] It is identified by its hemispherical perithecia (fruiting bodies) adorned with a white tomentum, and its 3-septate, spindle-shaped ascospores. This species was first discovered on living leaves within a Cerrado forest remnant in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.
| Porina albotomentosa | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Ascomycota |
| Class: | Lecanoromycetes |
| Order: | Gyalectales |
| Family: | Porinaceae |
| Genus: | Porina |
| Species: | P. albotomentosa
|
| Binomial name | |
| Porina albotomentosa Aptroot (2022)
| |
Taxonomy
editPorina albotomentosa was formally described as a new species in 2022 by the Dutch lichenologist André Aptroot. The specific epithet albotomentosa refers to the distinctive white tomentum (short fungal hyphae with a texture similar to velvet) covering its ascomata, an unusual feature that sets it apart from other species within the genus Porina.[2]
Description
editThe thallus of Porina albotomentosa appears somewhat polished (nitidous) and ochraceous grey, forming patches up to 1 cm in diameter. It is quite thin, lacks a prothallus, and has trentepohlioid algae as its photobiont. The perithecia are notable for their hemispherical shape, constricted base, and nitidous, red-brown colour, measuring 0.2–0.3 mm in diameter and approximately 0.2 mm in height. These perithecia are sessile, not covered by the thallus, and are densely covered by a white tomentum. The species produces 8 ascospores per ascus, which are hyaline (translucent), 3-septate, and spindle-shaped (fusiform), measuring 12–14 by 4–5 μm.[2]
Chemical tests on the thallus of Porina albotomentosa showed no reaction to UV light, nor to common chemical spot tests.[2]
Habitat and distribution
editThis lichen is solely known to occur in its type locality in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. It inhabits the living leaves of plants in Cerrado forests, a type of savanna-like ecosystem.[2]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Porina albotomentosa Aptroot". Catalogue of Life. Species 2000: Leiden, the Netherlands. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
- ^ a b c d Aptroot, André; de Souza, Maria Fernanda; dos Santos, Lidiane Alves; Junior, Isaias Oliveira; Barbosa, Bruno Micael Cardoso; da Silva, Marcela Eugenia Cáceres (2022). "New species of lichenized fungi from Brazil, with a record report of 492 species in a small area of the Amazon Forest". The Bryologist. 125 (3): 435–467. doi:10.1639/0007-2745-125.3.433.