Kuettlingeria teicholyta is a species of saxicolous (rock-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Teloschistaceae,[2] and the type species of the genus Kuettlingeria.[3] It is a widely distributed lichen, having been recorded from Africa, Asia, and Europe.
| Kuettlingeria teicholyta | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Ascomycota |
| Class: | Lecanoromycetes |
| Order: | Teloschistales |
| Family: | Teloschistaceae |
| Genus: | Kuettlingeria |
| Species: | K. teicholyta
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| Binomial name | |
| Kuettlingeria teicholyta | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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List
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Taxonomy
editThe species was first formally described in 1810 by the Swedish lichenologist Erik Acharius, who placed it in the genus Lecanora. The type specimen was collected by Léon Jean Marie Dufour from France.[4] Italian botanist Vittore Benedetto Antonio Trevisan de Saint-Léon transferred the taxon to the newly proposed genus Kuettlingeria in 1857.[5] In his original circumscription of the genus, it contained three species: K. lallavei, K. visianica, and K. teicholyta. The first two species, including Blastenia visianica, the type species of genus Kuettlingeria (originally described by Abramo Bartolommeo Massalongo in 1852[6]) are now synonymous with K. teicholyta. As a result, Kuettlingeria teicholyta is the type species of genus Kuettlingeria.[3]
Description
editKuettlingeria teicholyta is characterised by its obscurely placodioid thallus. The thallus typically forms closely appressed, rounded formations that vary from thin to thick and have a white-grey colouration. The ends of the lobes in this species are often poorly differentiated, presenting as rounded, flat, or slightly convex structures without distinct furrows. These lobes form a complete zone around the edge of the thallus, contributing to its overall rounded appearance.[7]
The surface of Kuettlingeria teicholyta is uniform and scurfy, especially towards the centre of the thallus, and it is common to find small granules on the surface. Occasionally, the thallus may display weak areolation. Soredia in this species are granular and white, typically forming through the erosion of the thallus surface in the central area.[7]
Apothecia in Kuettlingeria teicholyta, though uncommon, are quite conspicuous when present. They can reach up to 0.8 mm in diameter and are scattered or sometimes crowded on the thallus. Initially, these apothecia are immersed within the thallus and deeply concave, but they eventually become flat. The thalline margin, when present, is white and undulate, while the proper margin is flexuose, swollen, and bright orange in colour. The discs of the apothecia are orange to red to brown, occasionally with a white-pruinose surface.[7]
Paraphyses in Kuettlingeria teicholyta are slender, flexuose, and branched, without swelling at the tips. Ascospores are ellipsoid, measuring 15–18 by 7–10 μm. The septum is often under 4 μm wide, making up to one-quarter of the length of the ascospore. Chemical spot tests on the thallus yield negative results (K−), while apothecia have a K+ (purple-red) reaction.[7] Kuettlingeria teicholyta is a member of chemosyndrome C5, characterised by 7‐chloro-emodin as the dominant secondary metabolite in association with a substantial proportion of fragilin.[3]
Distribution
editKuettlingeria teicholyta occurs in Africa, Asia, and Europe.[7]
References
edit- ^ "Synonymy. Current Name: Kuettlingeria teicholyta (Ach.) Trevis., Revta Period. Lav. Regia Accad. Sci., Padova 5: 73 (1857)". Species Fungorum. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
- ^ "Kuettlingeria teicholyta (Ach.) Trevis". Catalogue of Life. Species 2000: Leiden, the Netherlands. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
- ^ a b c Frolov, Ivan; Vondrák, Jan; Košnar, Jiří; Arup, Ulf (2020). "Phylogenetic relationships within Pyrenodesmia sensu lato and the role of pigments in its taxonomic interpretation". Journal of Systematics and Evolution. 59 (3): 454–474. doi:10.1111/jse.12717.
- ^ Acharius, E. (1810). Lichenographia Universalis. Gottingen: Apud Iust. Frid. Danckwerts. p. 425.
- ^ Trevisan, V. (1857). "Nuovi studi sui licheni spettanti alle tribù delle Patellariee, Baeomycee e Lecideinee". Revista Periodica dei Lavori della Imperiale Regia Accademia di Padova. 5: 63–79.
- ^ Massalongo, A.B. (1852). "Monografia dei licheni blasteniospori". Atti dell'Istituto Veneto di Scienze. 2, 3 (Appendice 3) (in Latin): 5–131.
- ^ a b c d e Fletcher, A.; Laundon, J.R. (2009). "Caloplaca Th. Fr. (1860)". In Smith, C.W.; Aptroot, A.; Coppins, B.J.; Fletcher, F.; Gilbert, O.L.; James, P.W.; Wolselely, P.A. (eds.). The Lichens of Great Britain and Ireland (2nd ed.). London: The Natural History Museum. pp. 271–272. ISBN 978-0-9540418-8-5.