Studies on The Lichen Genus Sticta (Schreber) Ach.: I. Southern South American Species

Abstract

Twelve species of Sticta are recorded from southern South America,(Argentina and Chile including Juan Fernandez) south of latitude 30°S, viz., S ainoae, S. caulescens, S. fuliginosa, S. gaudichaldia, S. hypochra, S. hypopsila, S lineariloba, S. limbata, S. longipes, S. sublimbata and S. weigelii, and S. santessonii D Galloway is newly described. A key is provided, and details of anatomy, morphology, distribution, ecology and taxonomy are discussed.

One Name – One Fungus: The Influence of Photosynthetic Partners on the Taxonomy and Systematics of Lichenized Fungi

“…is a genus of large, foliose (rarely fruticose) lichens developing cyphellae (structures on the lower side of thalli that allow gas exchange) -known only in this genus (Moncada, Lücking, & Betancourt-Macuase, 2013;Purvis, 2000). The genus is widely distributed but is more diverse in the tropics and southern hemisphere (e.g., Galloway, 1994Galloway, , 1997Lücking, Hodkinson, & Leavitt, 2017;Moncada, Lücking, & Betancourt-Macuase, 2013;Ranft et al, 2018). Similar to many members of Peltigeraceae Dumort., Sticta species can associate either with green algae or cyanobacteria.…”

“…Moreover, similar to that in Peltigera Willd. or Ricasolia De Not., in some Sticta species, the cyanobiont is enclosed in cephalodia or two different photomorphs (chloromorph and cyanomorph; Figure 1A) develop (e.g., Galloway, 1994Galloway, , 1997Galloway, , 1998Galloway, , 2001Miadlikowska et al, 2018;Moncada, Coca, & Lücking, 2013;Moncada, Lücking, & Betancourt-Macuase, 2013;Ranft et al, 2018;Tønsberg & Goward, 2001). Thalli with cyanobionts also have a very characteristic fish-like smell caused by the production of soluble amines (Galloway & Nash, 2004;James & Henssen, 1976).…”

“…The taxonomy of Sticta is based on numerous morphological characteristics (e.g., type of thallus, color of the lower surface, and development of the tomentum); however, the type of photobiont was typically the first characteristic in keys dividing species into groups (Galloway, 1994(Galloway, , 1997(Galloway, , 1998. This morphology-based taxonomy has obscured the diversity and identity of species, with photomorphs recognized as separate taxa and some of them even placed in different genus, Dendriscocaulon Nyl.…”

Sticta alpinotropica, a new saxicolous lichen species from the alpine zone of Mt Wilhelm, Papua New Guinea

“…Regional monographs exist for Australia (Galloway 1998), New Zealand (Galloway 1997), the Sonoran Desert region (Galloway & Thomas 2004) and southern South America (Galloway 1994). Around 100 species are cur-rently accepted, some of which are widespread, but most are restricted to either the palaeotropics or the neotropics, and many of these are restricted to smaller regions, such as the Andes, the Caribbean, Australasia, the Malagasy Isles or New Zealand.…”

The genus Pertusaria (Pertusariales: Pertusariaceae) in the Juan Fernández Archipelago (Chile)

“…The archipelago, also known as Robinson Crusoe Islands, is made up of three principal islands of volcanic origin: Robinson Crusoe (Más a Tierra Island or Masatierra Island), Marinero Alejandro Selkirk (Más Afuera Island or Masafuera Island) and Santa Clara. The lichen flora of Juan Fernández is of great interest biogeographically as it has affinities with both South America and also with Australasia (Zahlbruckner 1924;Redón & Quilhot 1977;Galloway 1991Galloway , 1994. The Juan Fernández Islands' temperate forests contain a high percentage of endemism among vascular plants at the specific, generic, and familial levels (Stuessy 1995;Marticorena et al 1998;Greimler et al 2002).…”