Aspicilia uxoris, an epiphytic species from Algeria, Morocco and Spain

Abstract

Aspicilia uxoris is proposed as a new combination for a species known from Algeria, Morocco and Spain. It grows on bark and lignum of Cedrus atlantica, Juniperus spp. and Pinus halepensis in the western Mediterranean Region. It is characterized by spore and conidia sizes, granular epihymenium on the surface of paraphyses and a typical apothecial structure and development. The ecology and distribution of the species and a comparison with other epiphytic taxa of the genus are discussed. Notes on the identity of Aspicilia lignicola are provided. Lectotypes for Aspicilia cinerea var. vulgaris f. lignicola, Lecanora lignicola and Lecanora uxoris are designated.

Teuvoa, a new lichen genus inMegasporaceae(Ascomycota:Pertusariales), includingTeuvoa junipericolasp. nov.

“…(Rico et al . 2007), including type material of three epiphytic species described from Asia: Lecanora atrodiscata , L. ferganensis and L. takyroides . Consequently, the three epiphytic species described from Asia become heterotypic synonyms for Aspicilia uxoris : Lecanora ferganensis (Fig.…”

“…Both T. tibetica and T. uxoris s. lat. show morphological and chemical similarities: 8-spored asci, bacilliform conidia, absence of extrolites (secondary substances) and a subhypothecial algal layer (Rico et al 2007; Sohrabi et al 2010 b ). However, specimens within T. uxoris s. lat.…”

“…species to major groups within Megasporaceae remain unclear. The corticolous taxon Aspicilia uxoris was originally studied from material collected in Algeria, Morocco and Spain (Rico et al 2007). However, recent collections of corticolous/lignicolous specimens of Aspicilia , particularly on Juniperus spp.…”

Aspicilia tibetica, a new terricolous species of the Himalayas and adjacent regions

“…Rico, Aragón & Esnault shows similarities to A. tibetica regarding the bacilliform conidia, and by the absence of secondary substances as well as a subhypothecial algal layer (Rico et al 2007). However, A. uxoris differs by somewhat larger spores, by having mostly moniliform paraphyses and pruinose apothecia, and by always being lignicolous, usually on conifer trees (mainly on Juniperus spp.…”

“…The sequence was compared with sequences available in GenBank and a great number of unpublished sequences that will be submitted in connection with other publications. Preliminary analyses indicated that A. tibetica is most closely related to the corticolous and lignicolous A. uxoris, known from Algeria, Morocco, and Spain (Rico et al 2007), and the widespread A. recedens appeared as the closest related saxicolous species. None of the terricolous species discussed seemed to be closely related to A. uxoris.…”