Eight new lichen species and 88 new records from Sri Lanka

Author(s): Gothamie Weerakoon , Patricia A. Wolseley , Omal Arachchige , Marcela Eugenia da Silva
Cáceres , Udeni Jayalal and André Aptroot
Source: The Bryologist, 119(2):131-142.
Published By: The American Bryological and Lichenological Society, Inc.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1639/0007-2745-119.2.131
URL: http://www.bioone.org/doi/full/10.1639/0007-2745-119.2.131

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 Eight new lichen species and 88 new records from Sri Lanka

Gothamie Weerakoon1, Patricia A. Wolseley2, Omal Arachchige3, Marcela Eugenia da Silva

Cáceres4, Udeni Jayalal5 and André Aptroot6,7

1
Integrative Research Centre, Department of Science & Education, Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, U.S.A.;
2
Department of Botany, The Natural History Museum, London, UK; 3 D. S. Senanayake College, Colombo, Sri Lanka;
4
Departamento de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, CEP: 49500-000, Itabaiana, Sergipe, Brazil;
5
Department of Natural Resources, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, Belihuloya, Sri Lanka; 6 ABL Herbarium,
G. v. d. Veenstraat 107, NL-3762 XK Soest, The Netherlands

ABSTRACT. Preliminary results are presented of a project aiming to explore the lichen biodiversity in Sri
Lanka. The following mostly corticolous (one saxicolous) new species are described: Arthonia
karunaratnei with dark brown, round apothecia in groups that are surrounded by a bright orange area,
with ascospores 2-septate, 9.0–10.5 3 3.5–4.5 lm; Enterographa wijesundarae with sessile, pruinose
apothecia with thin margins that are higher than the disc, with ascospores 13–17-septate, 50–60 3 4.5–5.5
lm, without substances; Fellhanera stipitata with convex, brown apothecia, fusiform to clavate, 5–7-
septate ascospores of 21–24.5 3 2.0–2.5 lm, and sessile to tubular pycnidia with conidia 4.5–5.5 3 1.5–2.0
lm; Malmidea plicata which is similar to M. vinosa but with folded thallus and smaller ascospores; Phlyctis
lueckingii with ca. 0.2–0.3 mm large, grey-pruinose apothecia in dense groups and fusiform 7-septate
ascospores of 27–29 3 5.5–6.5 lm; thallus with norstictic acid.; Porina viridipustulata with numerous
pustules of ca. 0.2–0.7 mm diam. and ca. 0.1–0.3 mm high and ascospores 3–7-septate, 57–60 3 12–13
lm; Stirtonia isidiata with glossy white thallus with isidia, which are partly globose but mostly irregularly
cylindrical, often with some constrictions or branching, usually gnarled and decumbent, generally ca. 0.2–
0.3 mm thick and up to ca. 2 mm long; ascigerous areas apothecium-like, sessile; ascus with 1 ascospore,
ca. 250 3 150 lm; ascospores hyaline, broadly fusiform 7–9-septate, 210–225 3 105–115 lm.; and
Trypetheliopsis hirsuta with black, ear-shaped, pointed, glossy campylidia of ca. 0.4–0.9 mm diam., ca. 0.5–
1.2 mm high, at the outside with black bristles. Furthermore, 88 lichen species are newly recorded from Sri
Lanka, including 55 species new for the Indian subcontinent. Interestingly, eight of these are first reports
from the whole of the Palaeotropics. These species were previously known only from either Costa Rica or
the Amazonian and/or Atlantic rain forest of Brazil.

KEYWORDS. Corticolous, saxicolous, Indian Subcontinent, Arthonia, Enterographa, Fellhanera, Malmidea,

Phlyctis, Porina, Stirtonia, Trypetheliopsis.

^ ^ ^

The combination of a topographically varied and 2008), 250 butterfly species (Jayasinghe 2015) and
geologically ancient landscape and repeated influxes 100 snakes (Wickramasinghe 2014), including many
of biota from spatially and temporally disparate endemics. At the moment, almost 1200 lichen
biogeographic regions have resulted in the highly species are known from Sri Lanka (Weerakoon et
diverse lichen flora of Sri Lanka, including species al. in prep.), almost half of which are in the
that are absent from India (Weerakoon 2015; Graphidaceae. However, given the poor state of
Weerakoon & Aptroot 2013, 2014; Weerakoon et knowledge of many Sri Lankan lichen groups,
al. 2012a,b,c, 2014, 2015). More than 4000 flowering including the Graphidaceae (Lücking et al. 2014),
plants are known from Sri Lanka (de Vlas & de Vlas it is likely that 2000 or more lichen species could be
found on the island.
7
Corresponding author’s e-mail: andreaptroot@gmail.com This paper documents a large number of new
DOI: 10.1639/0007-2745-119.2.131 records for the country and is based on collections

The Bryologist 119(2), pp. 131–142 Published online: May 17 2016 0007-2745/16/$1.35/0
Copyright Ó2016 by The American Bryological and Lichenological Society, Inc.
132 The Bryologist 119(2): 2016

made during a lichen expedition carried out by the footprint of the Buddha (Ricci 2011). Over two
authors during the first months of 2015, funded by hundred lichen specimens were collected during a
the National Geographic Society and Dilmah hike on Adam’s Peak by the first and fourth authors.
Conservation. In these collections, there were eight Pidurutalagala (Straw Plateau Rock or Mount
lichen species new to science that are described and Pedro) is the highest mountain in Sri Lanka, at 2524
illustrated here. The eight new species described here m (8282 ft, 780 0 N, 80846 0 E; Pathirana 1980). Horton
have distinctive morphological characters and differ Plains National Park is a protected area in the central
from all the known species in their respective genera. highlands of Sri Lanka and is covered by montane
Lichens were collected from pristine forests, grassland and cloud forest. This plateau at an
wildlife reserves and secondary vegetation in wet and altitude of 2100–2300 m (6900–7500 ft, 6848 0 00 00 N,
dry lowlands, as well as submontane and montane 80848 0 00 00 E), is rich in biodiversity and many species
areas of Sri Lanka. Crustose lichens are dominant in found here are endemic to the region (De Silva 2014;
all habitats, and squamulose to microfoliose species Jayalal et al. 2012; Weerakoon et al. 2015). Galway’s
are generally more frequent than macrolichens. Land National Park (6858 0 N, 80846 0 38 00 E) is a small
Fruticose and foliose lichens are mostly confined to national park situated within the city limits of
submontane and montane habitats on the island. For Nuwara Eliya in Sri Lanka. This park is recognized as
this paper, most of the crustose groups have been one the most significant birding sites in Sri Lanka.
examined, with the exception of the Graphidaceae, Apart from the avifauna, the park has valuable floral
which will be treated separately. species of both native and foreign origin (Kotagama
2006).
Knuckles Mountain Range (knuckles of clenched
STUDY AREA
fist, Dumbara Kanduvetiya, 7827 0 N, 80848 0 E) exhib-
For this study, lichens were collected more or its the conditions of all the climatic zones in the
less extensively from Wilpattu National Park, country (Cooray 1984). This mountain range is
Hakgala Botanical Garden, the Botanical Garden in home to a significant proportion of the country’s
Peradeniya, Horton Plains, Victoria Park of Nuwar- biodiversity (De Silva 2014; Weerakoon 2013;
aeliya, and Knuckles Mountain region. Short pros- Weerakoon et al. 2015). The first author has worked
pecting expeditions were carried out to Adam’s Peak, on the lichens of this mountain range since 2008
Morningsite and Pitadeniya of Sinharaja, Kanneliya, (Weerakoon 2013; Weerakoon et al. 2012a,b), and
Namunukula, Maragala, Lahugala, Dambakolapatu- an additional expedition was carried out to collect
na and Nagadeepa in Jaffna. On earlier occasions lichens from unexplored locations.
lichens were collected in forest patches in Nawala- Wilpattu National Park (Land of Lakes), one of
pitiya, Pidurutalagala Mountain and Gallways land the oldest National Parks in Sri Lanka, is located in
in Nuwaraeliya. the northwest coast lowland dry zone of Sri Lanka
Sinharaja Forest Reserve (6825 0 N, 80830 0 E) is a (8825 0 N, 8080 0 E). Wilpattu is among the top national
national park and a biodiversity hotspot in Sri parks world-renowned for its leopard (Panthera
Lanka. This hilly virgin rainforest, part of the Sri pardus kotiya) population (The National Red List
Lanka lowland rain forests ecoregion, is a treasure 2012). Namunukula, Maragala and Lahugala are
trove of endemic species, including trees, insects, situated in the dry zone of the country. The main
amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals (De Silva Peak of Namunukula (Nine peaks) Mountain Range
2014). Kanneliya belongs to the Kanneliya-Dediya- is 2011 m (6600 feet, 6852 0 N, 8187 0 E). Maragalakan-
gala-Nakiyadeniya Reserve (Bandaratillake 2003), a da (Geelong, 1111 m, 3382 feet, 6887 0 N, 81838 0 E) is
forest complex in southern Sri Lanka. The forest one of the least visited mountains with four main
complex is designated as a Biosphere Reserve and peaks, located in the dry zone of Sri Lanka, and
World Heritage Site in 2004 by UNESCO since it is isolated from the central belt, yet having montane
one of the floristically richest areas in South Asia. and submontane forests.
Adam’s Peak (Butterfly Mountain) is a 2243 m (7359 Lahugala-Kitulana National Park (6853 0 N,
ft, 06848 0 N and 80830 0 E) tall conical mountain 81840 0 E) is one of the smallest national parks in Sri
located in central Sri Lanka. It is well known for Lanka. Despite its land area, the park is an important
the sacred footprint, a rock formation near the habitat for the Sri Lankan elephant and endemic
summit, which in Buddhist tradition is held to be the birds (Puvaneswaran & Smithson 1993).
 Weerakoon et al.: New lichens from Sri Lanka 133

Jaffna Peninsula (9840 0 N, 8080 0 E), is situated apothecia together with surrounding orange thallus
very close to South India. The peninsula is mostly are ca. 1.0–2.0 mm diam. Epihymenium with dark
surrounded by water, connected to the rest of the brown crystals. Hypothecium hyaline. Hamathecium
island by a small strip of land, and has a very dry not inspersed, weakly amyloid, paraphysoids 1–1.5
climate (Jeyaruba & Thushyanthy 2009). The lichen lm wide, anastomosing and often somewhat curled.
expedition to Jaffna Peninsula carried out in March Asci clavate, 22–25 3 10–12.5 lm, dextrinoid.
2015 was the first in history. Lichens were collected Ascospores 8/ascus, hyaline, consistently 2-septate,
from a few places during a five day expedition. broadly clavate, 9.0–10.5 3 3.5–4.5 lm, lumina
somewhat rounded, upper lumina largest. Pycnidia
MATERIALS AND METHODS not observed.
Identification and descriptive work was carried Chemistry. Thallus and apothecia UV–, C–, P–,
out at the Field Museum in Chicago and in Soest K–, orange area Kþ purple. TLC: an anthraquinone.
using Olympus stereomicroscopes and Olympus Etymology. Named after Prof. Dr. Veranja
compound microscopes with interference contrast, Karunaratne, a pioneer of lichen chemistry in Sri
connected to a Nikon Coolpix digital camera. All Lanka.
measurements were made on sections mounted in
Ecology and distribution. On smooth bark of
tap water. All specimens of this study are preserved trees in rain forest. Known only from Sri Lanka.
in PD, and with a duplicate of each specimen in F.
The chemistry of the type specimen of each new Discussion. The genus Arthonia is a predomi-
species has been investigated by thin-layer chroma- nantly tropical group of crustose lichens comprising
tography (TLC) using solvent A and by observing ca. 500 species, of which only the lichenicolous
extract recrystallization in acetone with a compound species with anthraquinones have been recently
microscope (Orange et al. 2001). Chemical reactions monographed (Grube et al. 1995). However, the
were applied directly on cortex or medulla and on remaining species with anthraquinones have also
acetone extracts on filter paper. been examined and there are only two other
Arthonia species known with orange pigment
surrounding the apothecia, the corticolous A.
TAXONOMY ochrocincta Nyl. ex Willey (Grube, pers. comm.),
which differs by the consistently 3-septate asco-
Arthonia karunaratnei Weerakoon & Aptroot, sp.
spores, and the foliicolous A. mira R.Sant. (Lücking
nov. Fig. 1A–C
2008), which differs by solitary, round to lobate
MYCOBANK MB 815540 apothecia.
Corticolous Arthonia with dark brown, round apothe-
cia in groups which are surrounded by a bright Enterographa wijesundarae Weerakoon & Aptroot,
orange area, with ascospores 2-septate, 9.0–10.5 3 sp. nov. Fig. 1D–E
3.5–4.5 lm. MYCOBANK MB 815541
TYPE: SRI LANKA. Imbulpitiya, on bark of tree, 23 Corticolous Enterographa with sessile, pruinose apo-
January 2015, G. Weerakoon & O. Arachchige thecia with thin margins that are higher than the
Im33 (holotype: PD; isotype: F). disc, with ascospores 13–17-septate, 50–60 3 4.5–
5.5 lm, without substances.
Description. Thallus crustose, continuous but TYPE: SRI LANKA. Morningsite, on bark of tree, 24
often appearing absent, not corticate, dull, pale April 2015, G. Weerakoon & O. Arachchcige
ochraceous (except for orange zones around the
Mo11 (holotype: PD; isotype: F).
apothecia), endoperidermal and occasionally flaking
off the bark surface, surrounded by a usually diffuse Description. Thallus crustose, continuous but
brown prothallus. Photobiont trentepohlioid. Asco- often appearing absent, not corticate, dull, pale
mata erumpent to sessile, round or ellipsoidal, in pinkish to pale brownish, very thin and closely
linear to branched groups of 5–25, disc dark brown following the bark surface, surrounded by a thin
to black with an orange hue, ca. 0.2–0.3 mm wide, brown prothallus. Photobiont trentepohlioid. Asco-
without margin, but surrounded by a bright orange mata sessile, superficial on the thallus, round or
area of ca. 0.2–0.3 mm wide. The resulting groups of ellipsoidal to branched and gnarled, disc dark brown
134 The Bryologist 119(2): 2016

Figure 1. A–C. Arthonia karunaratnei (holotype). A. Habitus. B. Ascus. C. Ascospore. D–E. Enterographa wijesundarae (holotype). D. Ascospores. E.
Habitus. F–H. Fellhanera stipitata (holotype). F. Section through central part of apothecium. G. Habitus. H. Conidiophores and conidia. Scale in A ¼ 1
mm, B, D ¼ 15 lm, C ¼ 5 lm, E & G ¼ 0.5 mm, F ¼ 20 lm, H ¼ 25 lm.
 Weerakoon et al.: New lichens from Sri Lanka 135

to black but white to grey pruinose, 0.2–0.5 mm lm high, IKI– except for the ascus tips; paraphyses
wide, margin raised above the disc, ochraceous without clear septa towards the tip, which is
white, ca. 0.05 mm wide. Excipulum hyaline to pale somewhat clavate and up to ca. 3 lm wide;
brownish. Epihymenium internally with pale brown epithecium hyaline, gelatinous; hypothecium reddish
pigmentation. Hamathecium not inspersed, weakly brown; excipulum hyaline, composed of dense cells
amyloid, paraphysoids 1–1.5 lm wide, anastomosing with rather angular lumina of ca. 4–7.5 lm. Ascus
and often somewhat curled. Asci cylindrico-clavate, Pilocarpaceae-type with 8 ascospores, ca. 45–60 3 6–
75–85 3 15–25 lm, tholus amyloid. Ascospores 8/ 9.5 lm. Ascospores hyaline, fusiform to clavate, 5–7-
ascus, hyaline, 13–17-septate, narrowly clavate, 50– septate, 21–24.5 3 2.0–2.5 lm, with somewhat
60 3 4.5–5.5 lm, surrounded by a 1.5–2.5 lm wide rounded ends. Pycnidia numerous, sessile to tubular,
gelatinous sheath, lumina somewhat rounded. Pyc- cup-shaped, pale brown with pale margins, ca. 0.1–
nidia not observed. 0.2 mm diam. and ca. 0.1–0.2 mm high. Conidia
Chemistry. Thallus and apothecia UV–, C–, P–, hyaline, ellipsoid, 4.5–5.5 3 1.5–2.0 lm, with
K–. TLC: no substances. rounded ends.
Etymology. Named after Dr. Siril Wijesundara, Chemistry. Thallus UV–, C–, K–, KC–, P–. No
former Director of the Botanic Gardens and lichen substances detected with TLC.
National Herbarium in Sri Lanka who made the Etymology. Named after the stipitate pycnidia.
expedition possible. Ecology and distribution. On smooth bark of
Ecology and distribution. On smooth bark of trees in rain forest. Known only from Sri Lanka.
trees in rain forest. Known only from Sri Lanka. Discussion. The genus Fellhanera is still rather
Discussion. The genus Enterographa is a pre- incompletely known, with so far ca. 65 accepted
dominantly tropical group of crustose Roccellaceae species (Lücking 2008). This species is special
comprising ca. 50 species (Seavey & Seavey 2014; because of the numerous sessile to stipitate pycnidia,
Sparrius 2004). This new species is close in and is reminiscent of the foliicolous F. pilomarginata
appearance to E. rotundata E.L.Lima, M.Cáceres & Lücking (Lücking 2008), with which it shares the
Aptroot (Aptroot et al. 2013), a species that was sessile to stipitate pycnidia. This species is however
missed by Seavey & Seavey (2014). The two species strictly foliicolous and has 3-septate ascospores of
share the sessile apothecia with thin margins that are only 12.5–15 lm long.
higher than the discs. However, E. rotundata has
ascomata that do not become branched and Malmidea plicata Weerakoon & Aptroot, sp. nov.
ascospores that are only (3–)7-septate. Fig. 2A
MYCOBANK MB 815543
Fellhanera stipitata Weerakoon & Aptroot, sp. nov. Saxicolous Malmidea similar to M. vinosa but with
Fig. 1F–H folded thallus and smaller ascospores.
MYCOBANK MB 815542 TYPE: SRI LANKA. Nallamale, Namunukula, on rock,
Corticolous Fellhanera with convex, brown apothecia, 17 February 2015, G. Weerakoon & O. Arach-
fusiform to clavate, 5–7-septate ascospores of 21– chcige Ho233 (holotype: PD; isotype: F).
24.5 3 2.0–2.5 lm, and sessile to tubulare
pycnidia with conidia 4.5–5.5 3 1.5–2.0 lm. Description. Thallus ca. 0.1 mm thick, dull, grey,
TYPE: SRI LANKA. Nallamale, Namunukula, on bark much plicate-folded so as to become almost lobate
of tree, 7 April 2015, G. Weerakoon & O. and thus locally up to 3 mm high, without warts,
Arachchige Mn89 (holotype: PD; isotype: F). with a blackish brown hypothallus underneath the
whole thallus and surrounded by a black, rather
Description. Thallus thin, finely granular, green, diffuse, prothallus. Photobiont chlorococcoid, ca. 7
without cortex, without prothallus. Photobiont 3 5 lm. Apothecia sessile, 0.2–2.0 mm diam., disc
chlorococcoid, ca. 5–10 lm diam. Apothecia sessile, flat, dull, medium brown. Margin dull, ca. 0.1 mm
0.4–0.7 mm diam., round, the larger ones lobate, wide, pale ochraceous, higher than the disc; on the
solitary or 2 together, disc soon convex, dull, border of the disc and the margin there is often a
medium brown, margin pale, not higher than the thin black line indicating the presence of a para-
disc, ca. 0.1 mm wide. Hymenium hyaline, 55–75 thecium. Hymenium hyaline, 45–55 lm high;
136 The Bryologist 119(2): 2016

Figure 2. A. Malmidea plicata (holotype). A. Habitus. B–D. Phlyctis lueckingii (holotype). B. Habitus. C. Section through apothecium. D. Ascospore. E–
G. Porina viridipustulata (holotype). E. Ascoma. F. Habitus with pustules. G. Marginal part of thallus with prothallus. Scale in A, B, E, F & G ¼ 0.5 mm, C
¼ 50 lm, D ¼ 10 lm.

hypothecium dark brown to black, up to 150 lm Chemistry. Thallus UV–, C–, K–, KC–, P–. No
thick; excipulum not corticate, without crystals. Asci lichen substances detected with TLC.
cylindrical, 45–60 3 8–11 lm. Ascospores hyaline, Etymology. Named after the plicate (folded)
IKI–, simple, ellipsoid, 7.5–8.5 3 3.0–3.5 lm, ends thallus.
somewhat pointed but not thickened. Pycnidia not Ecology and distribution. On smooth rock in
observed. rain forest. Known only from Sri Lanka.
 Weerakoon et al.: New lichens from Sri Lanka 137

Discussion. The genus Malmidea in the separate transversely septate ascospores and norstictic acid,
family Malmideaceae was only recently described and viz. P. andensis Nyl., P. brasiliensis Nyl., P.
is still incompletely known, with ca. 50 known endecamara (Nyl.) Nyl. and P. uncinata Stirt., by
species worldwide (Breuss & Lücking 2015; Kalb et the smaller ascospores with rounded ends.
al. 2011), but many additional, already described
species in this group are still included under Lecidea Porina viridipustulata Weerakoon & Aptroot, sp.
and new species are now described quite regularly. nov. Fig. 2E–G
This new species is characterized by the saxicolous MYCOBANK MB 815545
habitat, the folded thallus and the tiny ascospores. Corticolous Porina with numerous pustules of ca. 0.2–
The apothecia superficially resemble those of M. 0.7 mm diam. and ca. 0.1–0.3 mm high and
vinosa (Eschw.) Kalb, Rivas Plata & Lumbsch. The ascospores 3–7-septate, 57–60 3 12–13 lm.
folds of the new species seem to be caused by the TYPE: SRI LANKA. Monaragala, on bark of tree, 7
thallus, which continues to grow laterally even when April 2015, G. Weerakoon & O. Arachchige
the total area is covered and it thus expands Mn34A (holotype: PD; isotype: F); Wilpattu, on
vertically in folds. bark of tree, 1 March 2015, G. Weerakoon & P.A.
Wolseley WL069 (paratype: PD; isoparatype: F).
Phlyctis lueckingii Weerakoon & Aptroot, sp. nov.
Fig. 2B–D Description. Thallus corticate, smooth, shiny,
MYCOBANK MB 815544 continuous, thin, olive green, surrounded by a black
Corticolous Phlyctis with ca. 0.2–0.3 mm large, grey- prothallus. Pustules numerous, not confluent, ca.
pruinose apothecia in dense groups and fusiform 0.2–0.7 mm diam. and ca. 0.1–0.3 mm high, hollow,
7-septate ascospores of 27–29 3 5.5–6.5 lm; becoming cupular, paler green than the thallus,
thallus with norstictic acid. inside and on the margins fully or mostly covered by
TYPE: SRI LANKA. Dothalugala, on bark of tree, 8 farinose soredia, medulla whitish. Photobiont tren-
March 2015, G. Weerakoon & P.A. Wolseley tepohlioid. Ascomata hemispherical, ca. 0.5–0.7 mm
Kn02A (holotype: PD; isotype: F). diam., fully covered by thallus except for a brown ca.
0.1 mm wide ostiole. Ascospores young, 3–7-septate,
Description. Thallus ca. 0.2 mm thick, finely 57–60 3 12–13 lm. Pycnidia not observed.
granular, bluish grey, without cortex. Photobiont Chemistry. Thallus UV–, C–, K–, KC–, P–. No
chlorococcoid, ca. 4–6 lm diam. Apothecia im- substances detected with TLC.
mersed in the thallus, disc flush with the thallus
surface, ca. 0.2–0.3 mm diam., round to oval, in Etymology. Named after the presence of pus-
dense groups of 10–50, disc flat, dull, grey due to tules.
dense pruina, margin of thallus color or paler and Ecology and distribution. On smooth bark of
whitish, higher than the disc, ca. 0.1 mm wide. trees in rain forest. Known only from Sri Lanka.
Hymenium hyaline, 55–75 lm high, IKI– except for Discussion. This is the first Porina described
the ascus tips; paraphyses unbranched; hypothecium with pustules. Only few perithecia are present, and
hyaline; excipulum hyaline. Ascus with 8 ascospores, the glossy thallus with black prothallus is also very
ca. 50–65 3 9–12.5 lm. Ascospores hyaline, characteristic of the genus. Vegetative propagules are
fusiform, 7-septate, 27–29 3 5.5–6.5 lm, with relatively common in the genus, but are always more
rounded ends. Pycnidia not observed. or less in the shape of isidia. See Cáceres et al. (2013)
Chemistry. Thallus UV–, C–, Kþ yellow . red, for a discussion of many isidiate Porina species;
P–. TLC: norstictic acid. species with unusual shapes of isidia are reported by
Etymology. Named after our colleague Dr. Lücking (2008) and Lücking et al. (2013).
Robert Lücking. Stirtonia isidiata Weerakoon, Wolseley & Aptroot,
Ecology and distribution. On smooth bark of sp. nov. Fig. 3A–D
trees in rain forest. Known only from Sri Lanka. MYCOBANK MB 815546
Discussion. The genus Phlyctis is a small group Corticolous Stirtonia with glossy white thallus with
with currently ca. 25 species (Joshi et al. 2012). This isidia, which are partly globose but mostly
species differs from the other Phlyctis species with irregularly cylindrical, often with some constric-
138 The Bryologist 119(2): 2016

Figure 3. A–D. Stirtonia isidiata (holotype). A. Habitus with isidia. B. Ascigerous area. C. Ascus. D. Upper part of an ascospore. E–G. Trypetheliopsis
hirsuta (holotype). E–F. Habitus. G. Conidia. Scale in A, B, E & F ¼ 0.5 mm, C ¼ 50 lm, D ¼ 20 lm, G ¼ 10 lm.
 Weerakoon et al.: New lichens from Sri Lanka 139

tions or branching, usually gnarled and decum- opaque whitish prothallus. Photobiont trentepoh-
bent, generally ca. 0.2–0.3 mm thick and up to ca. lioid. Ascomata not observed. Campylidia abundant,
2 mm long. Ascigerous areas apothecium-like, black, ear-shaped, pointed, glossy, ca. 0.4–0.9 mm
sessile. Ascus with 1 ascospore, ca. 250 3 150 lm. diam., ca. 0.5–1.2 mm high, at the outside with black
Ascospores hyaline, broadly fusiform 7–9-septate, bristles of up to 140 lm long and up to ca. 35 lm
210–225 3 105–115 lm. thick. Conidia hyaline, ellipsoid, 6–7 3 3–3.5 lm,
TYPE: SRI LANKA. Horton, on bark of tree, 23 with rounded ends.
February 2015, G. Weerakoon & P.A. Wolseley Chemistry. Thallus UV–, C–, K–, KC–, P–. No
HoB4 (holotype: PD; isotype: F). substances detected with TLC.
Description. Thallus thin, glossy, shiny, almost Etymology. Named after the presence of bristles.
white, with cortex. Isidia almost white, partly Ecology and distribution. On smooth bark of
globose but mostly irregularly cylindrical, often with trees in rain forest. Known only from Sri Lanka.
some constrictions or branching, usually gnarled and Discussion. Trypetheliopsis is a small tropical
decumbent, generally ca. 0.2–0.3 mm thick and up to genus with seven species known (Kashiwadani et al.
ca. 2 mm long. Photobiont trentepohlioid, ca. 5–9 2009). The generic name was taken up by Kashiwa-
lm diam. Ascigerous areas apothecium-like, sessile, dani et al. (2009) for a small group of species that
ca. 0.5–0.7 mm diam., up to ca. 0.3 mm high, round, was known for a long time as Musaespora (Aptroot &
white with brown asci visible. Interascal tissue much Sipman 1993). The new species is closest to T. kalbii
branched and anastomosing hyphae. Ascus with 1 (Sérus. & Lücking) Aptroot and T. kassamensis
ascospore, ca. 250 3 150 lm. Ascospores hyaline, (Sérus.) Aptroot, but differs by the bristles on the
broadly fusiform 7–9-septate, 210–225 3 105–115 campylidia. The placement in this genus and the
lm, with rounded ends, with ca. 1.5 lm thick wall. uniqueness of the species are beyond doubt, even
Pycnidia not observed. though no ascomata are known, because these
Chemistry. Thallus UV–, C–, K–, KC–, P–. TLC: campylidia are very characteristic.
2 unknowns, position of TLC plate resembling but
not identical with barbatic and obtusatic acids. NEW RECORDS
Etymology. Named for the presence of isidia. The 88 lichen species listed in Table 1 are newly
Ecology and distribution. On smooth bark of recorded from Sri Lanka. These include 56 species
trees in rain forest. Known only from Sri Lanka. that are new for the Indian subcontinent. Seven of
these are first reports from the whole of the
Discussion. The genus Stirtonia is a tropical genus Palaeotropics. These species were previously known
comprising ca. 25 known species (Aptroot et al. 2014; only from either Costa Rica or the Amazonian and/
Seavey & Seavey 2015). This is the first species with or Atlantic rain forest of Brazil.
isidia. It is also one of the relatively few species with a
(smooth) cortex. Moreover, it is the only species in
which the ascospores are single within the ascus. CONCLUSIONS
A total of 1200 lichen species (Weerakoon et al.
Trypetheliopsis hirsuta Weerakoon, Arachchcige & in prep.) are currently known from a range of
Aptroot, sp. nov. Fig. 3E–G disturbed and undisturbed vegetation types from Sri
MYCOBANK MB 815547 Lanka. The large number of new lichen records
Corticolous Trypetheliopsis with black, ear-shaped, found within a limited period of fieldwork suggests
pointed, glossy campylidia of ca. 0.4–0.9 mm that a significant part of the lichen biodiversity of Sri
diam., ca. 0.5–1.2 mm high, at the outside with Lanka remains to be discovered. It should be noted
black bristles. that among these new records, eight species were
TYPE: SRI LANKA. Morningsite, on bark of tree, 19 found that were previously only known to the
April 2015, G. Weerakoon & O. Arachchcige Neotropics. These are new to Asia. These species
Mo97 (holotype: PD; isotype: F). were all described in the last decades from either
Costa Rica or Brazil. This demonstrates that even
Description. Thallus corticate, smooth, shiny, some of the recently described species may have
continuous, thin, olive grey, surrounded by an wider distributions outside the Neotropics. So far,
140 The Bryologist 119(2): 2016

Table 1. Lichen species that are new records for Sri Lanka. Symbols: *** Genus is new for the Indian Subcontinent,** Genus is new for Sri Lanka.
Collecting localities: AD–Adam’s Peak, Im–Imbulpitiya, Hg–Hakgala Botanical Garden, Ho–Horton Plains, JF–Jaffna, Ka–Kanneliya, Kn–Knuckles, Mn–
Monaragala, Mo–Morningsite, Ne–Nuwaraeliya, Ri–Rilhena, Si–Sinharaja, WL–Wilpattu.

Species No. Status

Agonimia pacifica (H.Harada) Diederich Ne 195, Ne 332, Ho 70 New record for Indian subcontinent***
Anisomeridium palavanum (Vain.) R.C.Harris Ka 14, WL 45
Anisomeridium subnexum (Nyl.) R.C.Harris WL 25B
Anisomeridium subtruncatum Aptroot Ho 42, Ho 255 New record for Indian subcontinent
Anisomeridium tamarindi (Fée) R.C.Harris Im 51 New record for Indian subcontinent
Arthonia catenatula Nyl. Ne 203
Arthonia parantillarum Aptroot JF 01A New record for Indian subcontinent
Arthothelium bessale (Nyl.) Zahlbr. Mn 69, Mn 71, WL 14, WL 058F, Mo 105
Arthothelium corticatum Makhija & Patw. WL 19
Astrothelium subfuscum Kremp. Hg 96 New record for Indian subcontinent
Bacidia polychroa (Th.Fr.) Körb. Ad 120, Ho 223A, Kn 30A, Ho 2- 2A, Ne 330 New record for Indian subcontinent
Bacidina penicillata Aptroot, M.Cáceres, Lücking & Sparrius Ne 160A, Si 07 New record for Indian subcontinent
Buellia subdisciformis (Leight.) Jatta Mn 62, Mn 91
Calicium lenticulare Ach. Ne 154, Ne 158 New record for Indian subcontinent
Caloplaca aphanotripta (Nyl.) Zahlbr. Ne 220, Ne 328 New record for Indian subcontinent
Caloplaca camptidia (Tuck.) Zahlbr. WL 36 New record for Indian subcontinent
Caloplaca flavovirescens (Wulfen) Dalla Torre & Sarnth. Ho 243
Caloplaca lobulata (Flörke) Hellb. Hg 68 New record for Indian subcontinent
Candelaria crawfordii (Müll. Arg.) P.M.Jørg. & D.J.Galloway Ho 195 New record for Indian subcontinent
Candelariella reflexa (Nyl.) Lettau Kn 115A, Ne 510 p.p. New record for Indian subcontinent
Celothelium aciculiferum (Nyl.) Vain. Ho 60, Si 66 New record for Indian subcontinent***
Collema actinoptychum Nyl. Mo 30
Cratiria obscurior (Stirt.) Marbach & Kalb Mn 59, Kn 173, Hg 108
Cresponea flava (Vain.) Egea & Torrente Mn 87
Cresponea plurilocularis (Nyl.) Egea & Torrente JF 11
Crustospathula khaoyaiana Kalb & Mongkolsuk Si 44 New record for Indian subcontinent***
Crypthonia polillensis (Vain.) Frisch & G.Thor. Si 95 New record for Indian subcontinent***
Cryptothecia faveomaculata Makhija & Patw. WL 45B, Ri 114
Cryptothecia irregularis Lücking, Aptroot, Kalb & Elix AD 105 New record for Indian subcontinent
Cryptothecia macrospora Makhija & Patw. Ne 204
Cryptothecia monospora (Vain.) Makhija & Patw. Hg 11, Hg 50 New record for Indian subcontinent
Cryptothecia scripta G.Thor Ri 74, Hg 139
Cryptothecia verrucominuta Makhija & Patw. Mo 101
Dibaeis sorediata Kalb & Gierl Ne 336, Mo 98 New record for Indian subcontinent
Flakea papillata O.E.Erikss. Ri 35 New record for Indian subcontinent***
Fuscopannaria siamensis P.M.Jørg. & Wolseley Ne 348
Gassicurtia clathrisidiata Aptroot Ne 213 New record for Indian subcontinent***
Gyalectaria gyalectoides (Vězda) I.Schmitt, Kalb & Lumbsch Im 45 New record for Indian subcontinent***
Heterodermia flavosquamosa Aptroot & Sipman Hg 82 New record for the Palaeotropics
Julella geminella (Nyl.) R.C.Harris WL 18 **
Laurera meristosporoides P.M.McCarthy & Vongshew Mo 90 New record for Indian subcontinent**
Lecanora ecoronata Vain. Kn 191 New record for Indian subcontinent
Lecanora fimbriatula Stirt. Mo 52, Mn 02, Ne 268
Lecanora leproplaca Zahlbr. Hg 69, AD 076B, AD 061A New record for Indian subcontinent
Lecanora pseudistera Nyl. Mn 92
Lecidella enteroleucella (Nyl.) Hertel Mn 103 **
Lithothelium decumbens (Müll. Arg.) Aptroot Si 73A
Malmidea eeuuae Kalb AD 66 New record for Indian subcontinent
Malmidea fellhaneroides (Lücking) Kalb & Lücking Mn 72, Ne 330 New record for Indian subcontinent
Malmidea flavopustulosa (Cáceres & Lücking) Cáceres & Kalb Mo 12C p.p. New record for Asia
Malmidea piae (Kalb) Kalb Mn 90, WL 11 New record for Indian subcontinent
Malmidea piperina (Zahlbr.) Aptroot & Breuss Kn 22, Mo 93, Kn 27, Kn 24, Si 79A New record for Indian subcontinent
 Weerakoon et al.: New lichens from Sri Lanka 141

Table 1. Continued.

Species No. Status

Malmidea subaurigera (Vain.) Kalb, Rivas Plata & Lumbsch Ne 317, Mn 75 New record for Indian
Mazosia viridescens (Fée) Aptroot & M.Cáceres WL 83, Ri 10 New record for Indian subcontinent
Megalotremis cauliflora Aptroot, Sérus. & Lücking Ho89 New record for the Palaeotropics
Micarea corallothallina M.Cáceres, D.A.Mota & Aptroot Ne 199 New record for the Palaeotropics
Micarea peliocarpa (Anzi) Coppins Ne 344 New record for Indian subcontinent
Monerolechia badia (Fr.) Kalb Ne 342 New record for Indian subcontinent***
Monoblastia pellucida Aptroot AD 010
Mycomicrothelia macrocarpa Komposch, Aptroot & Hafellner WL11, WL 53 New record for the Palaeotropics**
Myeloconis erumpens P.M. McCarthy & Elix Ri 64B New record for Indian subcontinent***
Opegrapha robusta Vain. AD 118, Mo 103 New record for Indian subcontinent
Polymeridium amylosporum (Vain.) Aptroot Im 38 New record for Indian subcontinent
Protoparmelia isidiata Diederich, Aptroot & Sérus. Ne 202 New record for Indian subcontinent
Protoparmelia multifera (Nyl.) Kantvilas, Papong & Lumbsch Im 61 New record for Indian subcontinent
Psoroglaena stigonemoides (Orange) Henssen Ne 195 , Ne 157 New record for Indian subcontinent***
Psoroma sphinctrinum (Mont.) Nyl. Mo107 New record for Indian subcontinent
Pyrenula complanata (Mont.) Trevis Ho 44, Si 141, Ri 64A New record for Indian subcontinent
Pyrenula crassiuscula (Malme) Aptroot PD 01, Hg 38, Hg 97, Ho 46 New record for the
Pyrenula cryptothelia (Müll. Arg.) Aptroot & Etayo HO 67 New record for Indian subcontinent
Pyrenula cubana (Müll. Arg.) R.C.Harris Ho 92 New record for Indian subcontinent
Pyrenula media Aptroot Ri 02, Ri 116 New record for Indian subcontinent
Pyrenula ochraceoflava (Nyl.) R.C.Harris JF 04
Pyrenula oculata Ajay Singh & Upreti WL 76
Pyrenula platystoma (Müll. Arg.) Aptroot AD 29
Pyrenula pyrenuloides (Mont.) R.C.Harris Hg25
Pyrenula ravenelii (Tuck.) R.C.Harris Hg 59
Pyrenula subglabrata (Nyl.) Müll. Arg. Ka 23 New record for Indian subcontinent
Pyrenula thailandica Aptroot WL 52, WL 52A New record for Indian subcontinent
Pyrgidium montellicum (Beltr.) Tibell Mn 65 **
Ramalina angulosa Laurer WL 74
Ramalina subpusilla (Nyl.) Zahlbr., Ne 295
Rostania callibotrys (Tuck.) Otálora, P.M.Jørg. & Wedin Ho 210
Sculptolumina serotina (Malme) Marbach Hg 49 New record for the Palaeotropics
Stirtonia viridis L.I. Ferraro, Sipman & M.Cáceres WL 66 New record for the Palaeotropics
Thelenella marginata (Groenh.) Mayrhofer Ne 123A p.p. New record for Indian subcontinent
Trapelia placodioides Coppins & P.James Ne 200
Trapeliopsis granulosa (Hoffm.) Lumbsch Ne 155A New record for Indian subcontinent

macrolichens have received most attention, although to Thorsten Lumbsch for his help in many instances in the Field
some macrolichens are still reported here for the first Museum. The Linnean Society of London is thanked for a travel
time from Sri Lanka. Corticolous lichens have been grant to Patricia Wolseley and the Stichting Hugo de Vries-fonds is
thanked for a travel grant to André Aptroot.
collected more frequently than saxicolous lichens,
which are not abundant but represent a wide variety
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