Lecaimmeria pakistanica K.Habib, R.Zulfiqar & Khalid, 2022

Habib, Kamran, Zulfiqar, Rizwana & Khalid, Abdul Nasir, 2022, Lecaimmeria pakistanica, a new lichen from Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan, European Journal of Taxonomy 834, pp. 94-101 : 96-99

Lecaimmeria pakistanica K.Habib, R.Zulfiqar & Khalid sp. nov.

MB844738

Fig. 2

Diagnosis

Distinguished from all the known species of the genus by having large ascospores (20–32 × 10–16 μm), and relatively taller hymenium. All the other species of the genus have ascospore dimensions in the range of 14–22 × 5–14 μm. Also separated from other species of the genus by ITS nrDNA sequence data.

Etymology

The specific epithet ʻ pakistanica ʼ refers to country in which the new species was discovered.

Material examined

Holotype PAKISTAN • Azad Jammu and Kashmir , Muzaffarabad, Peer Chinasi; 34°23′ N, 73°32′ E; alt. 2924 m; on rocks; 9Aug. 2018; T. Saifullah and K. Habib leg.; PC-21; LAH [ LAH-36674 ]; GenBank no.: MW508503 .

Paratype PAKISTAN • Azad Jammu and Kashmir , Muzaffarabad, Peer Chinasi; 34°23′ N, 73°32′ E; alt. 2700 m, on rocks; 22 Jul. 2019; T. Saifullah and K. Habib leg.; PC-22; LAH [ LAH-36675 ]; GenBank no.: MW508504 .

Description

Thallus crustose, areolate, up to 6 cm wide, in section 200–280 μm thick, upper surface yellow-brown to brown, no change when wet. Areoles separate, flat to weakly convex, irregular to angular, slightly pruinose near margin, glossy, adnate, without fissures, marginal areoles slightly larger, up to 1.5 mm across, up to 0.6 mm thick, rarely with whitish margins. Prothallus visible between areoles, blackish. Cortex two layered, ca 40–60 μm thick, paraplectenchymatous, cells 8–12 μm in diam., upper layer paler brown, 10–16 μm thick, lower layer hyaline, 30–40 μm thick, epinecral layer distinct, up to 20 μm high. Algal layer 80–120 μm thick, chlorococcoid, cells globose to subglobose, 10–20 μm in diam. Medulla: hyphae white, 15–30 μm thick, corresponding with areole, IKI+ blue.

Apothecia crypto-lecanorine, frequent at center of thallus, 1–4 per areole, immersed, sometimes not completely surrounded by the areole. Disc contiguous to separate, flat to concave, reddish brown, rounded at first becoming irregular, sometimes surrounded by a white rim, up to 0.8 mm diam., thinly to rarely pruinose, margin pruinose. Proper exciple thin, poorly differentiated, reduced, hyaline, 10–25 μm thick. Hymenium hyaline, 130–160 μm tall including the epihymenium, which is pale brown to brown, 10– 15 μm thick, epinecral layer 3–7 μm thick; paraphyses apically branched, anastomosing, 1–2 μm wide, apically slight swollen, apices 2.5–3.5 μm wide. Hypothecium 60–100 μm tall, light grayish brown, containing algal cell in the lower part. Asci Porpidia - type, clavate, 80–130 × 25–45 μm, amyloid wall 4–6 μm thick, 8-spored; ascospores hyaline, ellipsoid to broadly ellipsoid, mature with germ tube, 20–32 × 10–16 μm. Spot tests cortex and medulla K-, C-, KC-; medulla IKI+ blue; TLC none detected.

Ecology

Growing on sun-exposed rocks in a dense forest at an altitude of 2900 m. Topography is mountainous in Himalayan region. Dominant tree species are Pinus roxburghii Sarg. , Pinus wallichiana A.B.Jacks. , Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) G.Don , Picea smithiana (Wall.) Boiss , Abies pindrow Royle. Maximum and minimum temperature of 32°C and -8°C, respectively. Annual rainfall varying between 1000–1500 mm.

Figures

Fig. 2. Lecaimmeria pakistanica K.Habib, R.Zulfiqar & Khalid sp. nov. A. Areolate thallus. B. Wet thallus. C. Apothecia and areoles.D. Section of areole. E. Section of apothecium.F. Asci.G. Ascospores.