Sarcogyne hypophaeoides Vain. ex H.Magn, 1935

Westberg, Martin, Timdal, Einar, Asplund, Johan, Bendiksby, Mika, Reidar Haugan,, Jonsson, Fredrik, Larsson, Per, Odelvik, Goeran, Wedin, Mats & Millanes, Ana M., 2015, New records of lichenized and lichenicolous fungi in Scandinavia, MycoKeys 11, pp. 33-61 : 49

Sarcogyne hypophaeoides Vain. ex H.Magn, 1935

Sarcogyne hypophaeoides MycoBank: MB 411805

Sarcogyne hypophaeoides Vain. ex H.Magn. Rabenh. Krypt.-Fl., Edn 2 (Leipzig) 9(5.1): 84. 1935.

Lectotype.

FINLAND. Tavastia australis, Luhanka, Keihäsniemi. 1873 ( TUR-Vainio 25683, designated here, TUR-Vainio 25682 isotype!).

Distribution.

New to Norway, Sweden and Austria. Sarcogyne hypophaeoides has until now been known from the type material in central Finland and from one collection in Germany ( Magnusson 1935). It is a characteristic but overlooked lichen that appears to be widespread in Scandinavia. The apothecia are 0.5-1.2 mm wide, with a reddish brown to almost black disc sometimes with a central carbonized accretion. The margin is typically finely striated (Fig. 12a, b ) and is softer and more leather-like in texture and not as strongly carbonized and brittle as the margin in e.g., S. clavus . The degree of carbonization varies however and in sections the central parts of the exciple may be rather weakly coloured (Fig. 12c ). The hymenium is 70-90 µm tall and has a euamyloid reaction (I+ blue) and the spores are narrow and almost bacilliform, 3.5-5.5 × 1.0 µm. Sarcogyne hypopaheoides can mainly be confused with S. clavus or S. hypophaea but has a dark, brownish black to black hypothecium (Fig. 12c ), which is a characteristic and diagnostic feature of this species. Sarcogyne clavus has a very uneven, cracked, crenulate margin and a yellowish to pale brown hypothecium. Sarcogyne hypophaea on the other hand, has a smooth margin, which usually appears segmented due to 2-3 deep incisions in the margin and a colorless hypothecium.

Sarcogyne hypophaeoides grows exclusively on siliceous rocks. We have found it on exposed, horizontal or sloping seashore rocks on the west coasts of Sweden and Norway, on lakeshores and on semi-exposed, vertical rocks or boulders in open coniferous forests. It is often growing with scattered apothecia on smooth rock surfaces or along cracks in the rock in a similar way to S. clavus and the two species have been found growing together on at least two localities. Difficulties to collect it and a superficial similarity to S. clavus are possibly reasons why this species has been overlooked. It appears to be fairly common in humid habitats in the boreal region of Fennoscandia but its distribution is incompletely known.

Specimens examined.

AUSTRIA. Steiermark: Steirisches Randgebirge, Fishcbacher Alpen, im Feistriztal, ca 2 km E von Rettenegg. 14 Nov. 1998, Kocourkova & Hafellner 46366 ( GZU); NORWAY. Rogaland: Rennesøy, Fjøløy, ca 200 m. NE of the lighthouse. 11 June 2008, Westberg 08-139 ( S F123697). SWEDEN. Bohuslän: Ljung par., Skarsjön. 31 Aug. 1916, Magnusson 17466 ( UPS L-175686); Naverstad par., Tyftefjäll. 22 July 1917, Magnusson ( UPS L-516234); Brastad par., Stora Bornö, just S of Källviken on the E side of the island, c. 750 m SE of the research station. 58.3750°N, 11.5902°E. 4 Oct. 2013, Westberg ( S F265197); Dalarna: Leksand par., Draggberget. Hermansson 14488 ( UPS L-564677); Dalsland: Skållerud par., c. 5.5 km N of Skållerud church, SW slope of Skalåsen. 58.8268°N, 12.4435°E. 5 June 2008, Westberg 08-078 ( S F120302); Gästrikland: Hille par., Iggön. 13 Aug. 1946, Ahlner ( S F90566); Lycksele lappmark: Tärna par., Ume älv, Över-Umans sydvästligaste vik. 18 Aug. 1960, Du Rietz 927 ( UPS L-115656); Pite lappmark: Arvidsjaur par., Pite älv, Trollforsen, nedre delen, N-sidan uppströms bron. 24 Aug. 1962, Du Rietz 486b ( UPS L-113499); Uppland: Djurö par., Runmarö, S of Kasviken, along a forest-trail. 59,2612°N, 18,7666°E. 11 May 2009, Westberg, Millanes & Wedin 09-308 ( S F265196), Värmland: Gustav Adolf par., NW of Uddeholmshyttan. 2 Sept. 1981, Sundell 14905a ( UPS L-516265); Västmanland: Grythyttan par., c. 1400 m S of Loka Brunn, at the south tip of the lake S. Loken. 59.5926°N, 14.4844°E. 1 May 2008, Westberg 08-002 ( S F119718).

Figures

Figure 12. Sarcogyne hypophaeoides. a Apothecia (S F 123697) b Apothecia (Kocourkova & Hafellner 46366 (GZU )) c Section of an apothecium showing a carbonized margin and a brownish black hypothecium (S F 265197). Scale: 1 mm (a-b); 100 µm (c).