Cladonia subsphacelata Sipman & Ahti, 2013

Ahti, Teuvo & Sipman, Harrie J. M., 2013, Ten new species of Cladonia (Cladoniaceae, Lichenized Fungi) from the Guianas and Venezuela, South America, Phytotaxa 93 (1), pp. 25-39 : 36-37

Cladonia subsphacelata Sipman & Ahti , sp. nov. ( Fig. 9 )

Mycobank # MB 803526

Sicut Cladonia persphacelata , sed podetia tenuioria, ad 0.8 mm crassa, plerumque corticata; acidum didymicum et acidum squamaticum continens.

Type:— FRENCH GUIANA. Savane Roche de Virginie , Bassin de l'Approuague, 120 m elev., Fourré isolé de savane roche, 12 Feb. 1991, G. Cremers & P. Petronelli 11900 (holotype B!) .

Primary thallus persistent, consisting of up to 0.5 cm long squamules which are deeply divided into ca. 0.5 mm wide, elongate laciniae, attenuated and often almost stalk-like at the base, with rather smooth to corticoid surface towards the base and sometimes with ochraceous streak. Podetia up to 3 cm tall and 0.3– 0.8 mm thick, of determinate growth, grey to usually more or less brown, at base almost black, somewhat branched; branching type irregular anisotomous dichotomy, rarely trichotomy or tetrachotomy; axils closed or with usually small openings; tips often divided into 2–10 short branchlets; central canal very thin, ca. 0.1 mm wide. Podetial surface smooth and mostly corticate, not shiny, finally being rather densely squamulose, smooth inbetween, esorediate; mature squamules narrow, laciniate and imbricate, up to 4 mm long, pointing downward but with recurved tips, often glossy. Podetial wall 200–300 µm thick; cortex (0–) 25–40 µm; medulla thin, 10–25 µm (including the algae); stereome distinctly delimited, horny, thick, 200–250 µm, inner surface glossy. Conidiomata not seen. Hymenial discs not seen. Chemistry: squamatic and didymic acids (TLC of 4 specimens). Colour reactions: P–, K–, KC–; UV + white.

Distribution and ecology:— Species known so far only from French Guiana and Guyana, found in sananna over rock from 100 to 400 m elev.

Additional specimens examined (paratypes):— GUYANA. Potaro-Siparuni Region, Kaieteur Falls National Park, around the airstrip, Sipman 40326 (B!, BRG!); Ahti et al. 53048a (B!, H!, US!) ; trail to Johnson's View, dePriest 9375 (H!). FRENCH GUIANA. Savane Roche de Virginie, Bassin de l'Approuague , Cremers & Petronelli 11899 (B!) .

Remarks:— For differences with related species see under C. persphacelata .

Figures

FIGURE 9. Cladonia subsphacelata, holotype. Bar = 2 cm.