Lecanora leprosa Fée

Bungartz, Frank, Elix, John A. & Printzen, Christian, 2020, Lecanoroid lichens in the Galapagos Islands: the genera Lecanora, Protoparmeliopsis, and Vainionora (Lecanoraceae, Lecanoromycetes), Phytotaxa 431 (1), pp. 1-85 : 50

Lecanora leprosa Fée [1824 (1825): 118] MycoBank no. 122743

Type:— BRASIL. RIO DE JANEIRO: Rio de Janeiro, exact locality unknown, sine dato, Glaziou, A.F.M 1921 (PC-Feé– neotype selected by Lumbsch & Elix 1993) .

( Fig. 10C–D )

Thallus corticolous, thin to moderately thickened, areolate to granular areolate, initially developing from isolated areoles on a whitish arachnoid hypothallus, areoles with age becoming contiguous; surface white to pale gray or pale greenish gray, smooth to slightly dull and ±verruculose, matt, epruinose, lacking soredia; prothallus well developed, whitish arachnoid or forming a blackened line, especially where different thalli meet. Apothecia numerous, often very densely aggregated, circular to slightly irregular in outline, 0.3–0.8 mm in diam., semi-immersed to adnate, or sessile, typically crowded, soon lecanorine with persistent, entire, rarely slightly crenate, epruinose margin, concolorous with the thallus; disc ±plane, yellowish orange to brownish orange, epruinose; hymenium hyaline, not inspersed, epihymenium with crystals, almost hyaline to pallid yellowish brown (elachista -brown: dissolving in K, HCl± dull greenish, N−), both pigment and crystals soluble in K (chlarotera - type); proper exciple thin, indistinct, with few crystals; thalline exciple thick, distinctly corticate, with few small crystals soluble in K, and conspicuous large crystals, insoluble in K (pulicaris - type); subhymenium hyaline, hypothecium hyaline to faintly pale brown; ascospores 8/ascus, simple, narrowly to broadly ellipsoid, (6.9)–8.9–11.8–(13.9) × (4.0–)4.5–5.9(–6.9) µm (n = 45). Pycnidia not seen.

Chemistry: Thallus cortex including apothecial margin P+ yellow, K+ yellow, C−, KC−; Galapagos specimens with atranorin [major], gangaleoidin [major], ±leoidin [minor]. According to Guderley (1999) the species contains atranorin, chloroatranorin, gangaleoidin, norgangaleoidin, chlorolecideoidin, ±leoidin [all specimens cited were analyzed with TLC].

Ecology and distribution: Pantropical (North and South America, Africa, Asia, Australia and Oceania); among the most common lichen epiphytes in the Galapagos, especially in the coastal, dry and transition zone, rarely also in the humid zone, on bark of native and endemic trees and shrubs ( Bursera , Croton , Hippomane , Psidium , Piscidia , Zanthoxylum , etc.), also on wood, or on cacti ( Jasminocereus thouarsii ).

Note: Lecanora leprosa is among the most common corticolous species of Lecanora throughout the Galapagos. The distinction between this species and the saxicolous L. sulfurescens is problematic. According to Guderley (1999) both have the same exciple type, but different epihymenia. He describes the epihymenium of L. leprosa as chlarotera - type and assigns the epihymenium of L. sulfurescens to the pulicaris - type. He also suggests that the epihymenial crystals are soluble in both species. According to Guderley (1999) the two taxa would thus differ only by their epihymenial pigmentation: soluble in L. leprosa , insoluble in L. sulfurescens . Lumbsch & Elix (1993), however, report crystals insoluble in K in the epihymenium of L. sulfurescens while Ryan et al. (2004) state that L. sulfurescens , like L. leprosa , has epihymenial crystals and pigmentation that both dissolve in K.

In the Galapagos specimens the epihymenial crystals and pigmentation also do not differ. Whether growing on rock or bark, specimens both have small crystals in their epihymenium, which rapidly dissolve in K. Both also have the same fuscous brown pigment, which rapidly dissolves in K. Following the terminology introduced by Meyer & Printzen (2000) this epihymenial pigment can be identified as elachista -brown. In Galapagos this pigment is identical in specimens growing on rock or on bark. Since we have not examined a wider range of material from elsewhere, here we distinguish the two taxa based on their substrate. It is possible that covering a much larger area and more material this assessment may need to be revised; such a study with a much broader geographic scope appears to be warranted.

Specimens examined. ECUADOR. GALÁPAGOS: Española, trail from Bahía Manzanillo on the N-coast of the island to the highest point, 1˚21’40.60’’ S, 89˚41’56.60’’W, 48 m alt., dry zone, open scrub of Cordia lutea and Prosopis juliflora with grasses and few trees of Bursera graveolens over weathered lava boulders, on W-exposed side of Bursera graveolens branch, 11-Nov-2010, Bungartz, F. 9067 ( CDS 45885); along S-coast of the island, SE of Punta Suárez, 1˚22’53.27’’ S, 89˚43’46.89’’W, 54 m alt., coastal zone, open Cordia lutea shrubland with grass and lava boulders, on twigs of Cordia lutea , 10-Nov-2010, Bungartz, F. 8866 ( CDS 45684), 8877 ( CDS 45695), 8891 ( CDS 45709); Yánez-Ayabaca, A. 1601 ( CDS 45487); Punta Cevallos at E-coast of the island, 1˚23’38.60’’ S, 89˚37’11.5’’W, 20 m alt., coastal zone, lava outcrop among Lycium minimum scrub and some Sesuvium edmonstonii , trunk of Lycium minimum ; sunny, on bark, 09-Nov-2010, Yánez-Ayabaca, A. 1554 ( CDS 45436). Floreana, at the base of Cerro Comunista, 1˚17’22.89’’ S, 90˚28’22.39’’W, 158 m alt., dry zone, dense low forest of Croton scouleri , Waltheria ovata and Castela galapageia with occasional trees of Acacia rorudiana and Bursera graveolens , branch of Acacia rorudiana ; sunny, on bark, 16-Jan-2011, Yánez-Ayabaca, A. 1975 ( CDS 48325); Bungartz, F. 9744 C ( CDS 49519); SW-slope of hill at Punta Cormorán, 1˚13’33.5” S, 90˚25’35.7”W, 27 m alt., dry zone, very open Bursera graveolens forest with few Acacia rorudiana , some shrubs of Scalesia villosa and Waltheria ovata on very steep SW-exposed slope of loose lava pebbles, on bark, 19-Jan-2011, Yánez-Ayabaca, A. 2039 ( CDS 48389); lava flow behind beach (“White Beach”) at SE side of Punta Cormorán, ca. 100 m inland, 1˚13’44.5’’ S, 90˚25’27.69’’W, 4 m alt., coastal zone, lava flow of weathered AA-lava, mostly flat lava pieces, NE-exposed, scarce vegetation of few Bursera trees and Mentzelia aspera , on trunk of Bursera graveolens , 19-Jan-2011, Yánez-Ayabaca, A. 2043 ( CDS 48392). Pinta, at the S-coast, a little E of Cabo Chalmers, 0˚33’2’’N, 90˚46’3’’W, 10 m alt., dry zone, old lava flow with scarce vegetation ( Opuntia galapageia , Alternanthera filifolia , Prosopis juliflora ), on trunk of Bursera graveolens , 01-Mar-2007, Bungartz, F. 6039 ( CDS 33718). Rábida, E-side of the island, dry zone, Bursera forest and lava talus slope, 01-May-1976, Weber, W.A. s.n. (L-62876, COLO 294645). San Cristóbal, along the trail from Galapagera at the NW-coast of the island to Media Luna, 0˚42’41’’ S, 89˚18’15’’W, 33 m alt., dry zone, open woodland of Piscidia carthagenensis , Bursera graveolens , and Gossypium darwinii shrubs, on branches of Bursera graveolens , 22-Apr-2007, Bungartz, F. 6319 ( CDS 34534); near Rosa Blanca, at the SE-coast of the island, 0˚49’31’’ S, 89˚21’4’’W, 1 m alt., coastal zone, lava plateau with small shrubs of Croton scouleri , few Opuntia megasperma and Rhizophora mangle towards the waterfront, on twigs of Rhizophora mangle , 23-Apr-2007, Bungartz, F. 6346 ( CDS 34561); Las Negritas, 0˚55’23.89’’ S, 89˚35’0.400’’W, 10 m alt., coastal zone, Bursera graveolens , on bark, 18-May-2006, Jaramillo, P. 3046 A ( CDS 38860); Cerro Colorado, viewpoint on top of the hill, 0˚54’58” S, 89˚26’5”W, 140 m alt., dry zone, viewpoint with wooden handrail on top the cinder cone, on wooden handrail, 29-Apr-2007, Bungartz, F. 6767 ( CDS 35018); E of La Lobería, 0˚55’56.5” S, 89˚36’30.05”W, 20 m alt., coastal zone, on bark of Piscidia carthagenensis , 17-May-2006, Jaramillo, P. 3004 A ( CDS 38836). Santa Cruz, along the trail from Puerto Ayora to Bahía Tortuga, above the dunes, 0˚45’36’’ S, 90˚19’55’’W, 18 m alt., coastal zone, coastal vegetation with Cryptocarpus pyriformis & Prosopis juliflora , on branches of Hippomane mancinella , 05-Jan-2006, Bungartz, F. 3387 ( CDS 27054); 0˚45’36’’ S, 90˚19’55’’W, 16 m alt., coastal zone, coastal vegetation with Cryptocarpus pyriformis & Prosopis juliflora , on dead twigs of Prosopis juliflora lying on open ground, 05-Jan-2006, Bungartz, F. 3394 ( CDS 27061); along the road from Bellavista to El Garrapatero, ca. 3 km from the coast, 0˚40’55’’ S, 90˚13’46’’W, 45 m alt., dry zone, deciduous dry lowland forest, Bursera graveolens , Acacia rorudiana , Opuntia echios , Bursera , on bark, 14-Feb-2006, Aptroot, A. 63954 ( CDS 30512); Academy Bay, dry zone, 1-Aug-1995, Kricke, R. s.n. ( CDS 54488); Kricke, R. s.n. ( CDS 54487). Santa Fé, on top of lava flow at the N-coast of the island, 0˚48’12.4’’ S, 90˚2’34.5’’W, 13 m alt., coastal zone, open scrubland of partly dead shrubs ( Croton scouleri , Cordia lutea ), few shrubby Bursera graveolens , and Opuntia echios var. barringtonensis among lava rocks, on Wexposed trunk of Bursera graveolens , 25-Oct-2007, Bungartz, F. 7203 ( CDS 37687). Isabela, Volcán Alcedo, in the crater near fumaroles, 0˚27’1’’ S, 91˚7’19’’W, 780 m alt., transition zone, mostly Bursera graveolens and dense scrub on uneven lava, Bursera , on bark, 07-Mar-2006, Aptroot, A. 64778 ( CDS 31353); along the trail going up the E-slope, basalt rubble field to the SE-side of the trail and the barranco, 0˚24’7’’ S, 91˚2’55’’W, 493 m alt., dry zone, basalt rubble field with scattered vegetation ( Bursera graveolens , Zanthoxylum fagara , Pisonia floribunda , Senna pistaciifolia ), on trunk of Bursera graveolens , 10-Mar-2006, Bungartz, F. 4435 ( CDS 28521), 4441 ( CDS 28527); along the trail going up the E-slope, at the NW-side of the trail, 0˚24’5’’ S, 91˚2’36’’W, 420 m alt., dry zone, open Bursera graveolens stand with an occasional Pisonia floribunda and Zanthoxylum fagara and shrubs of Macraea laricifolia and Waltheria ovata , on trunk of Bursera graveolens , 09-Mar-2006, Bungartz, F. 4374 ( CDS 28458). Volcán Cerro Azul, atop basalt cliffs south of Caleta Iguana, 0˚58’51.70’’ S, 91˚26’52’’W, 10 m alt., coastal zone, low woodland of large Manzanillo ( Hippomane mancinella ) trees immediately above the cliffs, on twigs of Hippomane mancinella , 09-May-2012, Bungartz, F. 10485 ( CDS 52496), 10486 ( CDS 52497). Volcán Darwin, southwestern slope, above Tagus Cove, 0˚13’27.60’’ S, 91˚19’21.19’’W, 860 m alt., transition zone, open scrubland of Dodonaea viscosa , Croton scouleri , Macraea laricifolia , Scalesia microcephala , few Opuntia insularis and dry grasses in the understory, on twigs of Croton scouleri , 15-Nov-2007, Bungartz, F. 7688 ( CDS 38191); at the W-coast between Tagus Cove and Caleta Negra, ca. 1 km inland from the coast, 0˚14’50.89’’ S, 91˚22’43.77’’W, 55 m alt., dry zone, open Bursera graveolens forest on NW-exposed slope with Scutia spicata , Castela galapageia and Waltheria ovata , on W-exposed trunk of Bursera graveolens , 17-Nov-2007, Bungartz, F. 7938 ( CDS 38448). Volcán Sierra Negra, Las Tintoreras, small island in front of Puerto Villamil at the S-coast of Isabela, 0˚58’13.6’’ S, 90˚57’39’’W, 13 m alt., coastal zone, young lava flow of AAlava bare of vegetation, on branches of Laguncularia racemosa , 10-Sep-2007, Bungartz, F. 7053 ( CDS 36560); Cerro Orchilla, ca. 4 km W of Puerto Villamil, 0˚57’47.3” S, 91˚0’27.2”W, 56 m alt., S exposed slope of hill, open Bursera graveolens forest with Croton scouleri and Opuntia echios , on top of inclined branch of Bursera graveolens , 17-Aug- 2008, Bungartz, F. 8476 ( CDS 41122).

Figures

FIGURE 10. Species in the L. subfusca-group; superficially similar species with pale apothecial disc and pulicaris-type exciple (large crystals only). A–B. Lecanora achroa (Nugra, F. 111, CDS 32765). A. Thick rimose-areolate, white thallus with lecanorine apothecia with pale brown discs, growing on smooth bark of Bursera. B. Apothecial section with chlarotera-type epihymenium and pulicaris-type exciple. C–D. Lecanora leprosa. C. White, dispersed thallus granules on whitish prothallus with lecanorine apothecia with pale yellowish green discs, on smooth bark of Bursera (Bungartz, F. 6319, CDS 34534). D. Apothecial section with chlarotera-type epihymenium and pulicaris-type exciple (Bungartz, F. 6039, CDS 33718). E–F. Lecanora sulfurescens. E. White thallus with lecanorine apothecia with pale brown discs, growing on rock (Bungartz, F. 4054, CDS 27984). F. Apothecial section with pulicaris-type epihymenium and pulicaris-type exciple (Bungartz, F. 6562, CDS 34780). Scales: A, C, & E = 5 mm; B, D & F = 100 µm.