Cryptothecia eungellae G. Thor

Jagadeesh Ram, T. A. M. & Sinha, G. P., 2016, A world key to Cryptothecia and Myriostigma (Arthoniaceae), with new species and new records from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India, Phytotaxa 266 (2), pp. 103-114 : 109

Cryptothecia eungellae G. Thor [as ‘ eungellaeae ’]. ( Fig. 3 )

Thallus crustose, corticolous, epiperidermal, firmly attached, whitish grey, irregular, up to 8 cm across, smooth, frequently with up to 0.3 mm diam. globose isidia-like structures, 90–280 μm thick, heteromerous, ecorticate, with numerous 3–24 μm wide calcium oxalate crystals; prothallus usually distinct, byssoid, comprising mainly of interwoven and radiating hyphae, whitish, up to 2 mm wide; photobiont layer 20–45 μm thick, photobiont trentepohlioid, cells rounded to oblong, 8–12 × 5–8 μm; medulla white, 60–220 μm thick.Ascomata (ascigerous areas) indistinct to slightly raised, extensive. Paraphysoids tightly enclosing the asci, I+ pale blue, KI+ blue. Asci frequent, solitary, weakly aggregated, obovate to subglobose, 1(–2)-spored, c. 60–110 × 28–60 μm. Ascospores colourless, ovoid-oblong, usually straight, muriform, 14–20 × 4–10 septate, with ± equal cells, 55–72 × 24–35(–40) μm (n=14). Chemistry: Thallus and ascigerous areas K+ yellow turns red, C+ red, P+ yellow; I+ blue and KI+ blue in patches (in section); gyrophoric acid (major) and norstictic acid (major).

Notes: —This species was known from Australia, Java and Thailand ( Thor 1997, Aptroot & Spier 2010, Kalb et al. 2012). Now, it is reported from an evergreen forest of Car Nicobar Island of the Nicobar Islands. The material has been found with mature asci and ascospores and hence the ascospores are reported for the first time.

Specimen examined: — INDIA. Nicobar Islands, Car Nicobar Island, Kinmai, evergreen forest, 9°14’12.5” N, 92°47’38.8” E, alt. 6 m, 23.9.2014, Jagadeesh Ram 4123 (PBL).

Figures

FIGURE 3. Cryptothecia eungellae [Jagadeesh Ram 4123 (PBL)]. A. Thallus with whitish prothallus. B. Central part of thallus with globose isidia-like structures and indistinct ascigerous areas. C. Asci with ascospores, 1st to 3rd asci in K and 4th in KI. Scales: A–B=1 mm, C=20 μm.