Bunodophoron crespoae is a species of ground-dwelling, fruticose lichen in the family Sphaerophoraceae. It is found in the Páramo of south-east Colombia, growing in association with moss.

Bunodophoron crespoae
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Class: Lecanoromycetes
Order: Lecanorales
Family: Sphaerophoraceae
Genus: Bunodophoron
Species:
B. crespoae
Binomial name
Bunodophoron crespoae
Soto, M.Prieto & Wedin (2018)

Taxonomy

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The lichen was formally described as a new species in 2018 by Edier Soto Medina, Maria Prieto, and Mats Wedin. The type specimen was collected from the Páramo Gabriel López in Cauca, Colombia, at an altitude of 3,200 m (10,500 ft), where it was found growing on the ground alongside Sphagnum moss. The species epithet honours Spanish lichenologist Ana Crespo.[1]

Description

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The lichen, described as "large and eye-catching" by the authors, grow whitish, flattened branches that are 10–13 cm (3.9–5.1 in) long. The ascomata (spore-bearing structures) are sparse, usually occurring at the ends of the branches. They measure 0.8–2.2 mm wide. Ascospores are pale greyish to dark grey and have typical dimensions of 4.5 by 6.3 μm. Pycnidia are common, and occur at the tips of the small terminal branches (branchlets). Sphaerophorin, stictic acid, and constictic acid are lichen products that occur in this species.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b Soto Medina, Edier; Prieto, Maria; Wedin, Mats (2018). "A new Bunodophoron species (Sphaerophoraceae, Lecanorales) from the Neotropics". The Lichenologist. 50 (3): 255–266. doi:10.1017/s0024282917000743.