Maronina australiensis Hafellner & R. W. Rogers. Type. AUSTRALIA (Fig. 3). Queensland, Tandora about 25 km ENE of Maryborough, sea level, 25°27'S, 152°52'E, mangroves, on Rhizophora stylosa, 23 August 1986, J. Hafellner 17823 & R. W. Rogers (holotype GZU).

Based on molecular and phenotypical evidence, we propose Maronina s.str. to be a strictly Australian genus, comprising M. australiensis and M. hesperia Kantvilas & Elix only, as was suggested by Kantvilas and Elix (2007)) and Kantvilas et al. (2010). The genus Maronina contains depsides instead of depsidones as found in Neoprotoparmelia. Paraphyses in Maronina are slender and mostly simple, whereas those in Neoprotoparmelia are branched and anastomosing.

Figure 3. 

Maronina australiensis (type species of Maronina), holotype Hafellner 17823 & Rogers (GZU). Scale bar: 1 mm.

Neoprotoparmelia corallifera (Kantvilas & Papong) Garima Singh, Lumbsch & I. Schmitt

Derived from the Greek neos (=new) and its close relationship to Protoparmelia.

Thallus crustose. Apothecia lecanorine, broadly adnate to sessile; thalline margin distinct. Proper excipulum cupulate, hyaline. Asci 8- to multispored, clavate, variations of the Lecanora-type (Hafellner 1984, Kantvilas and Elix 2007, Kantvilas et al. 2010). Paraphyses sparingly branched and anastomosing; apices clavate and brown-pigmented. Ascospores ellipsoid to fusiform to elongate, non-halonate. Pycnidia immersed, globose. Conidia bacilliform.

Neoprotoparmelia species mainly produce depsidones of the alectoronic acid chemosyndrome.

The taxa of this genus occur in open habitats, mostly on bark, with only a few species growing on siliceous rock. This genus has a Pantropical distribution and is currently known from Australia, Brazil, Kenya, Papua New Guinea, South Africa, Thailand and south-eastern USA.

The new genus is morphologically similar to Maronina but can be distinguished by containing depsidones instead of depsides as found in Maronina and branched paraphyses. The genus is morphologically similar to Protoparmelia but was recognised as “tropical Protoparmelia clade” in Singh et al. (2015). The asci are essentially variations of the Lecanora-type sensu Hafellner (1984), and mainly coincides with those well studied by Kantvilas and Elix (2007) and Kantvilas et al. (2010). A detailed illustration of the ascus of N. pulchra is given in Aptroot et al. (1997a: 148, fig. 101a); it is similar to the ascus illustrated of Protoparmelia badia by Hafellner (1984: 393, fig.40).

USA. Georgia, McIntosh Co., Sapelo Island, Sapelo Island Wildlife Management Area, 31°26'00"N, 81°22'10"W, on bark of Quercus, 16 December 2009, J. Lendemer 20995 (holotype: NY).

Figure 4. 

Neoprotoparmelia amerisidiata, holotype Lendemer 20995 (NY). Scale bar: 1 mm.

Similar to Neoprotoparmelia brasilisidiata, but differing by the thicker, 0.07–0.11 mm wide, isidia.

Named after its distribution in North America and the presence of isidia.

Thallus up to ca. 0.05 mm thick, shiny, pale olive-green to olive-grey, continuous, delimiting marginal prothallus line (brown, thin or absent). Isidia always numerous, initially widely dispersed or somewhat clustered, eventually covering much of the thallus, up to 1.5 mm long, persistently 0.07–0.11 mm wide over their whole length, cylindrical, usually irregularly repeatedly branched and somewhat nodulose, glossy, pale olive-green to olive-grey, tips distinctly brown and dull. Apothecia and pycnidia not observed.

Spot tests: medulla of thallus and isidia UV++ greenish-white, C–, P–, K–, KC+ pink. TLC: alectoronic acid (major), dehydroalectoronic acid (minor or trace) and β-alectoronic acid (trace).

On tree bark in forest. Known only from the south-eastern USA (North Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Florida).

(specimen: Lendemer 20995, holotype: NY). KY012827 (mtSSU), KY066301(nuLSU).

This species comprises the specimens recovered within ‘P. isidiata A’ in ‘Protoparmelia tropical clade’ in Singh et al. (2015). It is morphologically most similar to N. brasilisidiata which only differs by the generally thinner isidia. Some specimens have been reported before as Protoparmelia isidiata (Lendemer and Lumbsch 2008).

USA. Florida, Gilchrist Co., Waccasassa Flats, 5 December 1993, R.C. Harris 31685, 31755 (NY), R.C. Harris 31685 (NY); USA. Georgia, McIntosh Co., Sapelo Island, Sapelo Island Wildlife Management Area, 15 December 2009, J. Lendemer 20745, 20727 (NY).

AUSTRALIA. Northern Territory, 2 km N of Emerald Springs, 13°37'23"S, 131°36'40"E, on Erythrophloeum chlorostachys; 22 September 2007, G. Kantvilas 289/07 (holotype: HO 545660).

Figure 5. 

Neoprotoparmelia australisidiata, holotype Kantvilas 289/07 (HO 545660). Scale bar: 1 mm.

Similar to Neoprotoparmelia isidiata, but differing by the larger number of isidia per thallus areole.

Named after Australia and the presence of isidia.

Thallus consisting of almost contiguous, flat to convex areoles with irregular shape, of up to ca. 0.1 mm thick and 0.7 mm wide, somewhat shiny, pale brown to dark brown or pale olive-green to olive-grey, marginal prothallus black, thin or absent. Isidia usually in groups on almost each thallus areole, up to 0.9 mm long, persistently 0.07–0.1 mm wide over their whole length, cylindrical, usually rather irregularly once or more rarely repeatedly branched and somewhat nodulose, somewhat shiny, pale to dark brown or pale olive-green to olive-grey, of thallus colour, tips not darkened or somewhat brown. Apothecia (only young ones observed) sessile, round, 0.4–0.6 mm diam., disc concave to flat, smooth, glossy, orange brown. Margin glossy, ca. 0.05 mm wide, glossy brown at the outside, slightly higher than the disc. Hymenium hyaline, not inspersed with oil droplets, up to 50 μm high; epihymenium fuscous brown, pigment in K becoming soluble and paler; hypothecium hyaline, up to 90 μm thick including subhymenium; excipulum hyaline throughout, with a 5–12 μm thick layer of cortex, without crystals, with algae, extending below the hypothecium (cupulate). Paraphyses branched, ca. 2.5 μm wide, not thickened at the tips. Mature asci and ascospores not observed. Pycnidia not observed.

Spot tests: medulla of thallus and isidia C–, P–, K–, KC+ pink, UV+ greenish-white. TLC: alectoronic acid (major), dehydroalectoronic acid (minor or trace) and β–alectoronic acid (trace).

On wood or bark of trees in open or closed forests. Known only from Australia (Northern Territory & New South Wales).

(specimen: Kantvilas 289/07, holotype: HO 545660). KP822276 (ITS), KP822466 (mtSSU), KP823523 (TSR1).

This species comprises the specimens recovered within ‘P. isidiata E’ in ‘Protoparmelia tropical clade’ in Singh et al. (2015) and referred to as Maronina in Divakar et al. (2017) and Singh et al. (2018). Coalescent-based species delimitation inferred from the six-locus dataset supports these taxa as distinct lineage from the other isidiate samples collected from the geographically distant populations. This species is morphologically very similar to Neoprotoparmelia isidiata, but has larger and contiguous thallus areoles, usually bearing more isidia. Members of this species may differ considerably in colour and the abundance and maximum length of the isidia.

AUSTRALIA. New South Wales, Maxwells Flora Reserve, S of Eden, 195 m alt., 26 October 2010, G. Kantvilas 228/10 (HO 559228).

BRAZIL. Sergipe, Parque Nacional Serra de Itabaiana, 10°44'57"S, 37°20'20"W, ca. 200 m alt., on bark of tree, 10 May 2014, M. Cáceres & A. Aptroot 21684 (holotype: ISE, isotype: ABL).

Figure 6. 

Neoprotoparmelia brasilisidiata, holotype Cáceres & Aproot 21684 (ISE). Scale bar: 1 mm.

Very similar to Neoprotoparmelia amerisidiata, but differing by having thinner, 0.04–0.08 mm wide, isidia.

Named after the country of discovery, Brazil and the presence of isidia.

Thallus up to ca. 0.05 mm thick, shiny, pale olive-green to olive-grey, continuous, marginal prothallus brown, thin or absent. Isidia always numerous, initially widely dispersed or somewhat clustered, eventually covering much of the thallus, up to 1.5 mm long, persistently 0.04–0.08 mm wide over their whole length, cylindrical, usually rather irregularly repeatedly branched and somewhat nodulose, glossy, pale olive-green to olive-grey, tips distinctly brown and dull. Apothecia sessile, round or usually with wavy outline, 0.6–1.3 mm diam., disc flat, smooth, dull, dark brown. Margin dull, ca. 0.15 mm wide, of thallus colour, not or only slightly higher than the disc. Hymenium hyaline, not inspersed with oil droplets, up to 80 μm high; epihymenium olive-brown, pigment in K becoming soluble and paler; hypothecium hyaline, up to 75 μm thick including subhymenium; excipulum hyaline throughout, with a 7–15 μm thick layer of cortex without crystals, with algae, extending below the hypothecium (cupulate). Paraphyses branched, ca. 2.0 μm wide, not thickened at the tips. Asci 8-spored, cylindrico-clavate, up to 55 × 13 μm. Ascospores hyaline, simple, narrowly ellipsoid, not constricted, 9–11 × 2–3 μm, without appendages. Pycnidia not observed.

Spot tests: medulla of thallus and isidia UV+ greenish white, C–, P–, K–, KC+ pink. TLC: alectoronic acid (major), dehydroalectoronic acid (minor or trace) and β-alectoronic acid (trace). Gyrophoric acid has also been reported (Kalb 2004).

On tree bark in parks, open areas, Cerrado and Atlantic rain forests. Neotropical - known from Costa Rica, El Salvador and Brazil, where it is widespread and known from the following states: Sergipe, Matto Grosso, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Maranhão, Tocantins, Minas Geraes and Rio Grande do Sul.

(specimen: Aptroot 21684, holotype: ISE). KY012831 (mtSSU), KY066305 (nuLSU).

This species comprises specimens recovered within ‘P. isidiata B’ in ‘Protoparmelia tropical clade’ in Singh et al. (2015). It is similar to N. amerisidiata, but, however, differs in having slightly thinner isidia. It is a common species on exposed bark in the neotropics and can easily be recognised in the field, from other isidiate crusts even when sterile, due to the strong UV-reaction visible with a portable UV-torch and thus can be distinguished from other isidiate crusts, even when sterile.

BRAZIL. Rio Grande do Sul, Viamão, near Parque Itapua, ca. 100 m alt.; 26 September 2014, M. Cáceres & A. Aptroot 22137 (ABL, ISE); Maranhão, Bananal, 20 km S of Imperatriz, ca. 140 m alt.; 20 October 2016, M. Cáceres & A. Aptroot 28776 (ABL, ISE). Tocantins, near Itaguatins, ca. 150 m alt.; 22 October 2016, M. Cáceres & A. Aptroot 28809 (ABL, ISE). COSTA RICA. Guanacaste, 15 km SSE of Nicoya, ca. 850 m alt.; 22 March 2004, H. Sipman 52086 (B), A. Aptroot 60835, 60836 & 60840 (INB). SAN SALVADOR. Ahuachapán, Parque Nacional El Imposible, ca. 800 m alt.; December 1998, R. Welz 89, 140 & 438 (B).

SOUTH AFRICA. Western Cape prov., between Papendorp and Strandfontein, near Vailkay bridge, 31°41'34"S, 18°13'59"E, ca. 32 m alt., 4 February 2005, A. Crespo, P.K. Divakar, D.L. Hawksworth, G. Amo & T.H. Lumbsch 63f (holotype: MAF–Lich. 19584; isotypes: MAF-Lich. 19624, 19625, 19626 and 19628).

Figure 7. 

Neoprotoparmelia capensis, holotype Crespo, Divakar, Hawksworth, Amo & Lumbsch 63f (MAF-Lich. 19584). a Habit b Section through centre of apothecium, showing cupular proper exciple (arrow) c Ascus d Spores, showing setae (arrow). Scale bars: 2 mm (a), 100 µm (b), 10 µm (c), 5 µm (d).

Morphologically similar to the northern hemispheric Protoparmelia montagnei (Fr.) Poelt & Nimis, but mainly differing from it by the presence of alectoronic acid as major secondary metabolite in the medulla. The two species, P. montagnei and N. capensis, are also genetically not closely-related and belong to different genera.

The specific epithet refers to its occurrence in Cape Province of South Africa.

Thallus saxicolous, crustose, up to 8 cm wide, thin and areolate (in younger parts, up to 1 mm thick) to mainly thick and areolate, warted or subsquamulose (up to 2.2 mm thick), irregular or orbicular; surface light grey, pale to strong brown, with whitish mottled-fissured areas (by a locally strong mucilaginous epicortex), dull; delimited, or not, by a blackish hypothalline line. Areoles irregular, polygonal to rounded, up to 2 mm in diam., mainly slightly convex to irregular or flat, surface smooth to irregular, cracked or warted, marginal areoles sometimes lobe-like. Apothecia frequent, 1 to several per areolae, zeorine to lecanorine, immersed and nearly urceolate when young to adnate or sessile and constricted at the base when adult, rounded to irregular, up to 2 mm in diam.; disc brown to brown-black, dull, concave to flat or sometimes convex; thalline exciple persistent or excluded with age, concolorous with thallus to whitish (by a strong mucilaginous epicortex); proper exciple cupulate, up to 70–155 µm thick, coherent, hyphae mainly periclinal with strong mucilaginous walls, margins reduced in young apothecia. Hymenium hyaline to yellowish, coherent, 60–75 µm tall, in the margins somewhat fan-like (together with proper exciple) and exceeding the thalline exciple in adult apothecia; epihymenium light brown to brown, up to 15 µm tall, with few irregular granules; hypothecium and subhymenium hyaline to slightly yellowish, 25–70 µm thick. Paraphyses coherent in water, branched and anastomosed, apices somewhat thickened and mainly surrounded by a brown mucilaginous hood (up to 10 µm wide). Asci clavate, 42–70 × 12–20 µm, 8–spored, amyloid tholus (excluding the axial mass) and surrounding mucilage, Lecanora–type (cf. also Maronina–type, Kantvilas et al. 2010). Ascospores hyaline, simple, 9–13(–14) × 3.5–5.5(–6) µm (n = 40), fusiform to elongate (l:b = 1.8–2.9), with rounded apices or sometimes slightly apiculate in one end, some with apical hyaline setae. Pycnidia frequent, immersed, globose to oblong, wall hyaline, ostiole tissue with brown to black pigmented walls. Conidia simple, hyaline, 7–17 × 1–1.5 µm (n = 20), bacilliform, straight.

Spot tests: medulla K– or ± unclean yellowish, C–, KC+ unclean rose-red, I–, P–, UV++ greenish-white. TLC: atranorin (traces), α–alectoronic acid (major), unidentified substance (major or traces, closed to norstictic acid, Rf class 4), ± β–alectoronic (traces) and traces of related substances.

Only known from the type locality in the arid north-west of the Cape Region (South Africa), rich in succulent plants (succulent Karoo biomes, cf. Mucina and Rutherford 2006), growing on exposed sandstones next to the Atlantic coast.

(specimen: Crespo, Divakar, Hawksworth, Amo & Lumbsch 63f, holotype: MAF–Lich. 19584). KY066279 (ITS), KP822500 (mtSSU), KP796385 (nuLSU), KP822184 (RPB1), KP823556 (TSR1).

This comprises the specimens recovered within ‘P. sp. ZA’ in ‘Protoparmelia tropical clade’ in Singh et al. (2015). Neoprotoparmelia capensis is morphologically similar to the Protoparmelia montagnei complex, in the sister genus Protoparmelia, but differs from the latter in its chemistry and distribution. The major secondary metabolite found in N. capensis is alectoronic acid whereas, in P. montagnei, it is lobaric and/or gyrophoric acids or fatty acids. Protoparmelia montagnei is distributed in Eurasia on acid rocks, with mainly a broad Mediterranean distribution, from Turkey to The Canary Islands and from Ireland to Morocco (Coppins and Chambers 2009, Barbero et al. 2006). In contrast, N. capensis grows on sandstone in the Cape Region. Molecular data also clearly supports N. capensis and P. montagnei as distantly related, evolutionary independently lineages (Singh et al. 2015). Details on the morphology and chemistry of the similar P. montagnei species complex can be found in Coppins and Chambers (2009) and Barbero et al. (2006). The grey to brown thalli, 8-spored asci, α–collatolic acid absence, distribution and/or molecular data, supports N. capensis as an evolutionary independent lineage from the other two saxicolous Neoprotoparmelia species here described.

The analysed material of Neoprotoparmelia capensis was rich in lichenicolous ascomycetes, some of which make its characterisation confusing. Portions of the studied specimens serve as host to species of Phacographa and Sphaerellothecium similar to those living on taxa of the Protoparmelia badia complex (Hafellner 2009 and Triebel 1989, respectively), causing visible symptoms. A Phoma–type fungus, with hyaline pycnidia and conidia, frequently infected the hymenium of N. capensis. Moreover, in some adult apothecia of N. capensis, an endohymenial Arthonia species develops its asci, together with those of the host. The latter two taxa lacked visible symptoms on the host. These four lichenicolous fungi are currently under further investigation and the results will be published in a subsequent study.

Protoparmelia capitata Lendemer, Lichenologist 40: 332. 2008.

Maronina capitata (Lendemer) Divakar, A. Crespo & Lumbsch in Divakar et al., Fungal Diversity 84: 114. 2017.

Maronina orientalis var. corallifera Kantvilas & Papong in Kantvilas et al., Lichenologist 42: 557. 2010.

Figure 8. 

Neoprotoparmelia corallifera (type species Neoprotoparmelia), sample Papong 7100. Scale bar: 1 mm.

Protoparmelia corallifera (Kantvilas & Papong) Kantvilas, Papong & Lumbsch in Papong et al., Lichenologist 43: 561–567. 2011. Maronina corallifera (Kantvilas & Papong) Divakar, A. Crespo & Lumbsch in Divakar et al., Fungal Diversity 84: 114. 2017.

Thailand, Phu Pha Kham, Muk Dahan Province, Nhong Sung District, 16°46'N, 104°43'E, in dry dipterocarp forest, 310 m altitude, 21 June 2009, K. Papong & W. Konhin 6603 p.p.

AUSTRALIA. Australian Capital Territory, Solar Village, J.A. Elix 39805 (holotype: CANB 783260).

Figure 9. 

Neoprotoparmelia crassa Elix39818. Scale bar: 1 mm.

Similar to Neoprotoparmelia isidiata, but differs from it in having shorter isidia and a thicker thallus.

Derived from crassus (Lat. = fat) indicating that the thallus is thicker than that of the other isidiate species.

Thallus consisting of contiguous to centrally fusing, flat to rather convex areoles with irregular shape, of up to ca. 0.1 mm thick and 0.3 mm wide, somewhat shiny, pale brown to dark brown, marginal prothallus absent. Isidia covering most of the thallus except the outer margins, globose to ellipsoid, up to 0.15 mm long, persistently 0.07–0.1 mm wide, unbranched, of thallus colour, tips not darkened or somewhat brown. Apothecia and pycnidia not observed.

Spot tests: medulla of thallus and isidia UV+ greenish white, C–, P–, K–, KC+ pink. TLC: alectoronic acid.

On wood or bark of trees in open or closed forests. Known only from Australia (Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory).

(specimen: Elix 39805, holotype: CANB 783260). KP822464 (mtSSU), KP822274 (ITS), KP796345 (nuLSU), KP822145 (RPB1), KP822359 (MCM7), KP823521 (TSR1).

This comprises the specimens recovered within ‘P. isidiata D’ in ‘Protoparmelia tropical clade’ in Singh et al. (2015). Similar to Neoprotoparmelia isidiata but differing in having a thicker thallus and shorter isidia.

AUSTRALIA. Same as type, J. A. Elix 39795 (CANB); Northern Territory, Melville Island, H. Streimann 42469 (B, CANB).

Protoparmelia isidiata Diederich, Aptroot & Sérus. in Aptroot et al., Biblioth. Lichenol. 64: 146. 1997.

Figure 10. 

Neoprotoparmelia isidiata, holotype Aptroot 31494 (BR). Scale bar: 1 mm.

Maronina isidiata (Diederich, Aptroot & Sérus.) Divakar, A. Crespo & Lumbsch in Divakar et al., Fungal Diversity 84: 114 (2017).

PAPUA NEW GUINEA. Simbu, Mount Wilhelm, near lake Piunde, 5°47'S, 145°03'E, ca. 3600 m alt.; 5–8 August 1992, A. Aptroot 31494 (holotype: BR).

Thallus consisting of isolated convex areoles of up to ca. 0.1 mm thick and 0.2 mm wide, somewhat shiny, pale brown to dark brown or mottled whitish-grey, on a fully immersed hyaline hypothallus, marginal prothallus black, thin or absent. Isidia usually solitary on almost each thallus areole, up to 0.5 mm long, persistently 0.07–0.1 mm wide over their whole length, cylindrical, usually rather irregularly once or more rarely repeatedly branched and somewhat nodulose, glossy, pale to dark brown, tips dark brown to almost black. Apothecia sessile, initially round, older ones usually with wavy outline, 0.6–3.5 mm diam., disc flat, smooth, glossy, dark brown to orange brown. Margin glossy, ca. 0.25 mm wide, glossy brown at the outside, not or only slightly higher than the disc. Hymenium hyaline, not inspersed with oil droplets, up to 70 μm high; epihymenium fuscous brown, pigment in K becoming soluble and paler; hypothecium hyaline, up to 120 μm thick including subhymenium; excipulum hyaline throughout, with a 20–30 μm thick layer of cortex, without crystals, with algae, extending below the hypothecium (cupulate). Paraphyses branched, ca. 2.5 μm wide, not thickened at the tips. Asci cylindrico-clavate, up to 35 × 9 μm, with 8 mostly biseriate ascospores. Ascospores hyaline, simple, narrowly ellipsoid, not constricted, (9–)11–13(–17) × 2–3 μm, without appendages. Pycnidia not observed.

Spot tests: medulla of thallus and isidia UV++ greenish-white, C–, P–, K–, KC+ pink. TLC: alectoronic acid (major), dehydroalectoronic acid (minor or trace) and β-alectoronic acid (trace).

On bark of trees in forests. Known from Papua New Guinea only.

This species differs from the other species by having a thallus consisting of tiny areoles, generally bearing just one isidium each and by large apothecia.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA. Simbu, Mount Wilhelm, near lake Piunde, ca. 3600 m alt.; 5–8 August 1992, A. Aptroot 32711 (BR); P. Diederich 10359 (Hb. Diederich); March 1987, A. Aptroot 18353 (BR).

Lecanora multifera Nyl., Acta Soc. Sci. Fenn. 7: 445. 1863.

Maronea multifera (Nyl.) Vain., Acta Soc. Fauna Flora Fenn. 7: 100. 1890. Maronina multifera (Nyl.) Hafellner & R.W. Rogers, Biblioth. Lichenol. 38: 106. 1990. Protoparmelia multifera (Nyl.) Kantvilas, Papong & Lumbsch in Papong et al., Lichenologist 43: 566. 2011.

Maronina orientalis Kantvilas & Papong in Kantvilas et al., Lichenologist 42: 557. 2010.

Protoparmelia orientalis (Kantvilas & Papong) Kantvilas, Papong & Lumbsch in Papong et al., Lichenologist 43: 566. 2011.

KENYA. Eastern Prov., Mwingi Co., Nuu Hill, 01°02'S, 38°20'E, ca. 1000 m alt., inselberg with dry woodland dominated by Terminalia, Combretum and Acacia, on sandstone, 12 March 2014, P.M. Kirika & H.T. Lumbsch 3821 (holotype: EA, isotype: F).

Figure 11. 

Neoprotoparmelia pauli, holotype Kirika & Lumbsch 3821 (EA) a Habit b Centre of apothecia section, showing cupular proper exciple (arrow). Scale bars: 1 mm (a), 20 µm (b).

Similar to Neoprotoparmelia capensis but differs from it by having a reduced, olive tinged thallus and smaller apothecia. Moreover, the major secondary metabolite produced by Neoprotoparmelia pauli is α–collatolic acid, absent in N. capensis.

The new species is named after our colleague, the Kenyan lichenologist, Paul M. Kirika, who was one of the collectors of the type material.

Thallus saxicolous, crustose, up to 3 cm wide, rimose to areolate, thin (up to 0.8 mm thick); surface dark brown, olive-brown to light olive-brown, sometimes with whitish mottled-fissured areas (by a locally strong mucilaginous epicortex), dull to slightly shiny; blackish hypothalline line blackish or absent. Areoles irregular, polygonal to rounded, up to 0.75(–1.2) mm in diam., flat to slightly convex, surface mainly smooth, marginal areoles sometimes lobe-like. Apothecia frequent, 1 per areolae, zeorine to lecanorine, mainly immersed and nearly urceolate or adnate, rounded, up to 0.4 mm in diam.; disc brown to brown-black, dull, concave to flat; thalline exciple persistent, concolorous with thallus to whitish (by a strong mucilaginous epicortex); proper exciple cupulate, up to 35 µm thick, coherent, hyphae mainly periclinal with strong mucilaginous walls. Hymenium hyaline, coherent, 35–60 µm tall; epihymenium light brown to brown, up to 15 µm tall, with few irregular granules; hypothecium and subhymenium hyaline, 15–35 µm thick. Paraphyses coherent in water, branched and anastomosed, apices somewhat thickened and mainly surrounded by a brown mucilaginous hood (up to 7.5 µm wide). Asci clavate, 50 ×16 µm, 8–spored, amyloid tholus (excluding the axial mass) and surrounding mucilage, Lecanora–type (cf. also Maronina–type, Kantvilas et al. 2010). Ascospores hyaline, simple, 10–12.5 × 4–5 µm (n = 8), fusiform to elongate (l:b = 2–2.75), with rounded apices or sometimes slightly apiculate in one end, some with apical hyaline setae. Pycnidia immersed, globose to oblong, wall hyaline, ostiole tissue with brown pigmented walls. Conidia simple, hyaline, (9–)10–17 × 1–1.5 µm (n = 20), bacilliform, straight.

Spot tests: medulla K– or ± unclean yellowish, C–, KC–, I–, P–, UV+ greenish-white. TLC: atranorin (minor or traces), α–collatolic acid (major or minor), α–alectoronic acid (minor), unidentified substance (major or traces, closed to norstictic acid, Rf class 4), ± β–alectoronic (traces) and traces of related substances.

Only known from the type locality in Kenya, covered with upland dry forest ecosystems (Wass 1995), growing on exposed sandstones.

(specimen: Kirika & Lumbsch 3821, holotype: EA). KP822469 (mtSSU), KP822279 (ITS), KP796348 (nuLSU), KP822148 (RPB1), KP823526 (TSR1).

Consists of specimens recovered within ‘P. sp. KE’ in ‘Protoparmelia tropical clade’ in Singh et al. (2015), supported as an evolutionary independent lineage based on the coalescent-based species delimitation analysis. The thalli of the type material were poorly developed, immature apothecia and only a few mature spores were found. This hindered us in providing detailed morphological features (especially ascomatal) and thus future collections may slightly change the morphological description. Its olive-brown thalli, 8-spored asci, α–collatolic acid presence, distribution and/or molecular data supports it as an evolutionary independent lineage from the other two saxicolous Neoprotoparmelia species.

BRAZIL. Rio Grande do Sul, Viamão, near Parque Itapua, 30°05'S, 51°00'W, on granite, ca. 100 m alt.; 26 September 2014, M. Cáceres & A. Aptroot 22130 (holotype: ABL; isotype: ISE).

Figure 12. 

Neoprotoparmelia plurisporibadia, holotype Cáceres & Aproot 22130 (ABL). a Habitus b ascus with ascospores. Scale bars: 1 mm (a), 10 micron (b).

Differing from the morphologically similar Protoparmelia badia (Ach.) M. Choisy by the presence of multispored asci and different chemistry and distribution.

Named after pluri = many, spores and badia = dark brown.

Thallus consisting of areoles with wavy border of up to ca. 1.3 mm thick and 2.0 mm wide (but mostly much smaller) that are tightly packed together and occasionally become almost lobe-like, somewhat shiny, pale brown to dark brown, marginal prothallus black, thin or absent. Isidia absent. Apothecia immersed in areoles to erumpent, usually up to one per areole, initially round, later usually compressed and with wavy elongated shape, 0.4–1.3 mm diam., disc concave to flat, smooth, glossy, dark brown. Margin dull, ca. 0.3 mm wide, indistinguishable from the thallus, not or only slightly higher than the disc. Hymenium hyaline, not inspersed with oil droplets, up to 100 μm high; epihymenium fuscous brown, pigment in KOH becoming soluble and paler; hypothecium hyaline, not distinguishable from the thallus medulla and thus extending to over 1 mm; excipulum hyaline throughout, with a 10–15 μm thick layer of pseudocortex without crystals, with algae, not extending below the hypothecium. Paraphyses simple to somewhat branched, ca. 2.5 μm wide, not thickened at the tips. Asci cylindrico-clavate, blue, up to 95 × 15 μm, with ca. 50 ascospores. Ascospores hyaline, simple or occasionally with a pseudoseptum, narrowly ellipsoid, not constricted, 7.0–8.0 × 2.5–3.5 μm, wall ca. 0.5 μm thick, without appendages. Pycnidia abundant, immersed, dark brown; surrounding areole usually slightly raised. Conidia hyaline, linear to slightly clavate, 5–7.5 × 0.9–1.1 μm.

Spot tests: medulla of thallus UV+ greenish-white, C–, P–, K–, KC+ pink. TLC: alectoronic acid.

On granite in open low mountain area. Known only from Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul).

M. Cáceres & A. Aptroot 22130, MK046748.

Somewhat similar to Protoparmelia badia, from which it differs markedly by the multispored ascus and production of alectoronic acid instead of lobaric acid, as occurs in P. badia. It can also be distinguished from the other two saxicolous Neoprotoparmelia species, N. pauli, and N. capensis, by distribution and by the presence of approximately 50-spored asci in contrast to the 8-spored asci present in the latter.

Protoparmelia pulchra Diederich, Aptroot & Sérus. in Aptroot et al., Biblioth. Lichenol. 64: 147. 1997.

TYPE: on the S shore of L. Piunde, Pindaunde Valley, Mt Wilhelm, Simbu Province, Papua New Guinea, 05°47'S, 145°43'E, alt. 3600 m, subalpine forest remnants on W slope of valley, 6 Aug. 1992, H. Sipman 35638; holo: B.

Maronina pulchra (Diederich, Aptroot & Sérus.) Divakar, A. Crespo & Lumbsch in Divakar et al., Fungal Diversity 84: 114. 2017.

THAILAND. Chiang Mai, Doi Suthep–Ou National Park, Medicinal Garden 18°48'17"N, 98°54'43"E, ca. 1100 m alt., on bark of Cinchona pubescens, 13 October 2002, H.J.M. Sipman 48520 (holotype: B).

Figure 13. 

Neoprotoparmelia siamisidiata, v.d. Boom 46872 (Hb. v.d. Boom). Scale bar: 1 mm.

Similar to Neoprotoparmelia brasilisidiata, but mainly differs from it by the presence of 16–spored asci.

Named after the place of discovery, Siam (Thailand) and the presence of isidia.

Thallus consisting of slightly convex areoles of up to ca. 0.1 mm thick and 0.3 mm wide which are mostly coalescent to form a rimose thallus, somewhat shiny, pale brown to dark brown or mottled whitish-grey, on a fully immersed dark hypothallus, marginal prothallus black, thin or absent. Isidia always numerous, initially widely dispersed or somewhat clustered, eventually covering much of the thallus, up to 1.5 mm long, persistently 0.05–0.07 mm wide over their whole length, cylindrical, usually rather irregularly once or repeatedly branched and somewhat nodulose, glossy, pale to dark brown, tips generally dark brown. Apothecia sessile, initially round, older ones usually with wavy boundaries, 0.6–1.5 mm diam., disc flat, smooth, glossy, dark brown to orange brown. Margin glossy, ca. 0.25 mm wide, glossy brown at the outside, not or only slightly higher than the disc. Hymenium hyaline, not inspersed with oil droplets, up to 90 μm high; epihymenium fuscous brown, pigment in KOH becoming soluble and paler; hypothecium hyaline, up to 120 μm thick including subhymenium; excipulum hyaline throughout, with a 20–30 μm thick layer of cortex, without crystals, with algae, extending below the hypothecium (cupulate). Paraphyses branched, ca. 2.5 μm wide, not thickened at the tips. Asci cylindrico-clavate, blue, up to 35 × 9 μm, with 16 mostly biseriate ascospores. Ascospores hyaline, simple, broadly ellipsoid, not constricted, 9–11 × 6.5–8 μm, without appendages. Pycnidia not observed.

Spot tests: medulla of thallus and isidia UV+ greenish-white, C–, P–, K–, KC+ pink. TLC: alectoronic acid (major), dehydroalectoronic acid (minor or trace) and β-alectoronic acid (trace).

On tree bark in a Park. Known only from Thailand (Chiang Mai).

This comprises the specimens recovered within ‘P. isidiata C’ in ‘Protoparmelia tropical clade’ in Singh et al. (2015). It is similar to the other four isidiate Neoprotoparmelia species but can be distinguished from them by the presence of 16-spored asci. For additional specimens from Thailand, see Aptroot et al. (2007, as Protoparmelia isidiata). It can be distinguished from Neoprotoparmelia corallifera only by presence of 8-spored asci (Aproot et al. 1997a) and by using molecular data.