Graphis caribica Lücking
Mycobank MB 517774
Thallus corticolous, up to 5 cm diam., 30–70 µm thick, continuous; surface uneven, yellowish green; prothallus absent. Thallus in section with cartilaginous upper cortex, irregular algal layer and large clusters of crystals below the algal layer. Apothecia lirelliform, flexuose, sparsely to irregularly branched, prominent, lacking thalline margin, 1–5 mm long, 0.3–0.4 mm wide, 0.2–0.3 mm high; disc concealed; proper margin thick, labia striate; thalline margin absent. Excipulum apically crenulate, apically to peripherally carbonized, 50–100 µm wide, apically black but laterally and basally pale yellow to orange-brown; hypothecium prosoplectenchymatous, 10–15 µm high, colourless to pale yellowish; hymenium 120–150 µm high, colourless, clear; epithecium granulose, 10–15 µm high, olive brown. Paraphyses unbranched; asci fusiform to clavate, 120–150 x 20–30 µm. Ascospores 8 per ascus, oblong, transversely 9–15-septate, 50–65 x 9–12 µm, 5–6 times as long as wide, colourless. Secondary chemistry: no substances detected by TLC.
This new species was already discussed in detail in a monographic revision of Graphis from Costa Rica (Lücking et al., 2008). Graphis caribica differs from most other species of the genus in its yellowish green, uneven thallus. It is morphologically very similar to G. fournierii Lizano & Lücking, but the latter has a more or less completely carbonized excipulum and muriform ascospores.
The epithet refers to the apparently Caribbean distribution of this species.
The new species is known from several collections throughout the Neotropics, centered around the Caribbean, being typically found in drier and subtropical forests.
Type:—DOMINICA. Bois Serpé (trail from South Chiltern to Soufrière Bay) Parishes of St Luke and St. Marks; 300 m; Nov 1963, Imshaug & Imshaug 32777-A2 (holotype MSC).
Additional specimens examined (paratypes):—USA. Florida: Manatee, s.dat., Reasoner s.n. (F-1204901). COSTA RICA. Alajuela: La Palma de Sán Ramón; Brenes 84 (FH). Volcán Tenorio National Park, Pilón Biological Station (Arenal-Tempisque Conservation Area), Tilarán Ridge, Lücking 17265ab (F). Guanacaste: Barra Honda National Park, Barra Honda Biological Station (Tempisque Conservation Area), Barra Honda Mountains; Lücking 17550e, 17557a (F). Monte Alto Forest Reserve, Monte Alto Biological Station (Tempisque Conservation Area), Nicoya Peninsula; Lücking 17511e (F, INB).
Sicut Graphis fournieri sed excipulo carbonisato in parte apicali et ascosporis transversaliter septatis differt.