Acarospora insignis H.Magn, 1924

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 : 34-35

Acarospora insignis H.Magn, 1924

Acarospora insignis H.Magn. Svensk Bot. Tidskr. 18: 329. 1924.

Holotype.

SWEDEN. Härjedalen: Viken. 1878, P. J. Hellbom ( GB 0129823!). TLC: gyrophoric acid.

Distribution.

New to Norway. This species has until now only been known from the type collection from central Sweden. Magnusson (1935) also mentioned a specimen from East Greenland. At first glance it appears to be an odd form of the common and well-known A. fuscata with pale brown to reddish brown areoles and a black lower surface that is typically spreading onto the edges of the upper surface (Fig. 1 ). The C+ red reaction of the cortex (gyrophoric acid) is also present in A. fuscata . However, the round, mostly scattered areoles with a single round apothecium and a very low hymenium, only between 50-65 µm tall, identifies A. insignis . A preliminary analysis of ITS sequences indicates that it is a close relative to the North American species A. thamnina (ID of specimens in GenBank of that species was confirmed by Kerry Knudsen, pers. comm.).

The Norwegian specimens were both collected on siliceous boulders in open spruce forests. The type specimen grows on Aspicilia cinerea and Magnusson (1924) concluded that it is a saprophyte. However, the newly found specimens do not grow in direct association with other species. Among other species seen in the specimens, Aspicilia cf. cinerea , Rhizocarpon grande and Trapelia obtegens were noted.

Specimens examined.

NORWAY. Oppland: Lillehammer, Døsgrenda, between Kinnlia and Åsen, alt. 500 m, 61°05.21'N, 10°20.32'E. 1 June 2011, Haugan 10022 ( O L-173397); Lom municipality, Runningsgrende, Klypa, 61,7236°N, 8,0262°E. 28 June 2013, Westberg ( S F265207), TLC: gyrophoric acid.

Figures

Figure 1. Acarospora insignis (O L- 173397). Scale: 1 mm.