Glypholecia tibetanica H. Magn., Feddes Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni veg. 31: 24, 1932.

Yin, An-cheng, Zhong, Qiu-yi, Scheidegger, Christoph, Jin, Ji-zhen, Worthy, Fiona R., Wang, Li-song & Wang, Xin-yu, 2023, The phylogeny and taxonomy of Glypholecia (Acarosporaceae, lichenized Ascomycota), including a new species from northwestern China, MycoKeys 98, pp. 153-165 : 153

Glypholecia tibetanica H. Magn., Feddes Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni veg. 31: 24, 1932.

Type.

Aksai-Chin-Plateau, [in Xizang Prov., China], (in Botanischer Garten Zürich, holotype, lost) .

These specimens were collected by Walter Bosshard in 1927 in Ritu County, Xizang Province, and then reported by H. Magnusson as a new species G. tibetanica , characterized by its squamulose thallus, C+ red cortex, abundant black pycnidia and cylindroid conidia, 3.5-4.5 × 1 μm, but the cited type specimen was sterile (Zahlbruckner 1933). Its characteristic of abundant pycnidia is not seen in G. qinghaiensis . Obermayer (2004) suggested that G. tibetanica might belong to Acarospora nodulosa var. reagens . Alternatively, because the cortex of G. tibetanica differs in having a C+ red reaction (versus A. nodulosa has C-, K+ red), it might belong to a different species. Therefore, we thoroughly sampled specimens of the genus Glypholecia at the type locality of G. tibetanica. These new specimens have umbilicate, upper cortex paraplectenchymatous, C+ red, KC+ red, K-, P- in the medulla and contain gyrophoric acid. In contrast, A. nodulosa has few rhizines, upper cortex scleroplectenchymatous, C-, K+ yellow turning red, P+ orange-yellow in the medulla, and contains norstictic acid.

We found some Glypholecia specimens with numerous pycnidia, as shown in Fig. 2G-H , but rarely with apothecia. Their lower surface usually had fasciculate rhizines aggregated into an umbilicate. Although morphological characters, including the shape (bacilliform), size (3.5-4.5 × 1 µm) of the conidia, and spot reaction (cortex and medulla C+ red) are consistent with those of Zahlbruckner’s G. tibetanica , the molecular data show that these specimens instead belong to G. scabra . In 2019, we also searched the herbarium of the Zurich Botanical Garden for the holotype of G. tibetanica which had been deposited by Walter Bosshard (Zahlbruckner 1933). The holotype could not be located. Therefore, we propose that G. tibetanica could potentially be treated as a synonym of G. scabra . Further research is required to determine their synonymy. At present, as the holotype could not be examined, the species name G. tibetanica should be maintained.

Figures

Figure 2. Morphological diversity within the genus Glypholecia A-F Glypholecia scabra. Differing morphology putatively caused by different habitat conditions, e. g., high or low temperature, aridity, different altitudes (1300 - 5100 m) G-I G. tibetanica. Collected from type locality, thallus with numerous pycnidia. J-F Umbilicus at the lower surface, formed by fasciculate white rhizines A, J Wang Lisong KUN 18 - 58925 B Wang Lisong KUN 18 - 58814 - b C Wang Lisong KUN 18 - 58820 D Wang Lisong KUN 19 - 65418 E, K Wang Lisong KUN 18 - 59346 F Wang Lisong KUN 18 - 58747 G Wang Xinyu KUN XY 22 - 854 H Wang Lisong KUN 22 - 71500 I, L Wang Xinyu KUN XY 22 - 856. Scale bars: 1 mm.