Melaspilea Circumserpens NYL. rediscovered and referred to Glonium; with discussion on the provenance of some of Robert Brown's lichen specimens

Abstract

Melaspilea circumserpens Nyl., hitherto known only from the type specimen, collected in Tasmania in 1803 by Robert Brown, has been rediscovered. The species has proved to belong to the genus Glonium (Hysteriaceac), previously not known to contain species associated with algae. The new combination Glonium circumserpens (Nyl.) Kantvilas & Coppins is proposed. The anatomy, morphology and ecology of the species are described. Problems regarding the provenance of several lichen specimens collected by Robert Brown are discussed.

Gloniella graphidoidea Rehm, another species of the Hysteriaceae associated with algae

“…in which hysterothecia grow superficially upon a crust with algal cells. In more recent years, Kantvilas & Coppins (1997) cited a terricolous-saxicolous Glonium species, G. circumserpens Nyl., which has an inapparent ‘thallus’ sometimes occurring among a discontinuous greenish to blackish film associated with a green alga. The occurrence of a facultative or poorly developed lichenization within the same genus or species, is not unique to the Hysteriaceae .…”