Anomomorpha tuberculata Lücking, Umaña & Will-Wolf
Mycobank MB 517734
Thallus corticolous, up to 10 cm diam., 50–100 µm thick, continuous; surface uneven, grey to pale brownish or yellowish grey, with numerous large tubercles; prothallus absent. Tubercles 0.8–1.5 mm diam. and up to 1.5 mm high, orbicular with the base constricted, white, consisting of a wall of numerous corticate, angular plates (resembling a soccer ball) which eventually break off as angular-rounded schizidia (especially at the apex) to expose a soredia-like surface composed of an irregular mass of hyphae intermingled with photobiont cells. Thallus in section with cartilaginous upper cortex, irregular algal layer and large clusters of crystals. Apothecia angular-rounded to elongate and then flexuose, unbranched, sessile with the base strongly constricted, with thick, prominent thalline margin, 1–3 mm long, 0.5–0.1 mm wide, 0.4–0.5 mm high; disc exposed, grey-brown with white pruina and therefore appearing grey-pruinose; proper margin indistinct, labia entire; thalline margin conspicuous, thick, prominent. Excipulum uncarbonized, orange-brown, 100–150 µm wide; hypothecium prosoplectenchymatous, 30–50 µm high, colourless to pale yellow; hymenium 120–150 µm high, colourless, strongly inspersed, inspersion partly disappearing in K; epithecium granulose, 5–10 µm high, grey-brown. Paraphyses unbranched; asci fusiform to clavate, 100–130 x 10–15 µm. Ascospores 8 per ascus, ellipsoid, 3-septate, 7–10 x 5–6 µm, 1.5 times as long as wide, colourless. Secondary chemistry: no substances detected by TLC.
Anomomorpha is a small genus in Graphidaceae characterized by usually uncarbonized lirellae with strongly inspersed hymenium and minute ascospores (Staiger, 2002). The new species is placed in this genus as it agrees in the non-carbonized lirellae with strongly inspersed hymenium and minute ascospores. However, it deviates from other species of the genus in the strongly sessile lirellae and the lack of secondary substances. In addition, the large tubercles formed on the thallus are unique within the family. Anomomorpha tuberculata is probably closely related to the preceding species, since the apothecia are partly rounded and resemble those of a Lecanora species. However, distinctly elongate lirellae are also present, the thallus features large tubercles, the ascospores are 3-septate, and no secondary substances appear to be present.
The epithet refers to the conspicuous tubercles of the thallus.
The new species was found in a rare cerrado vegetation in the southern part of Costa Rica.
Type:—COSTA RICA: Puntarenas: La Amistad International Park, Cerro Biolley Section, Sabanas Esperanza (La Amistad Pacífico Conservation Area), Terraba Valley; 83°03’W, 9°04’N; 1300–1400 m; lowland to lower montane moist forest savanna zone, disturbed savanna vegetation with abundant shrubs and trees, on bark (lower trunk); Jul 2002, Lücking 15309c (holotype INB; isotype F).
Additional specimens examined (paratypes):—COSTA RICA. Alajuela: Volcán Tenorio National Park, Pilón Biological Station (Arenal-Tempisque Conservation Area), Will-Wolf 12772 (INB, WIS), Sipman 51789 (B-600173357, INB). Puntarenas: Parque Internacional La Amistad (AC Amistad Pacifico), Cerro Biolley, 30 km NNW of Sán Vito near Biolley; Jul 2002, Sipman 48109c (B-600173358, INB). VENEZUELA: Bolivar: Cerro Guaiquinima, in central part of upper plateau (near camp 4); Feb 1990, Sipman 26569 (B-600083625, VEN); ibid., near NE edge of upper plateau (near camp 2); Feb 1990, Sipman 26782 (B-600083627, VEN). GUYANA: Upper Mazaruni District: N-slope of mount Roraima (campsite 5); Feb 1985, Sipman & Aptroot 18760 (B-600113247), 18808 (B-60 0113248).
Anomomorpha speciei apotheciis sessilibus et thallo tuberculato differt.
