Taxonomic Account
Key to the Microlichen genera from Maharashtra
1 a. Ascomata apothecia like or true apothecia 2
lb. Ascomata perithecioid 30
2a. Ascospores in mazedium Ascomata sessile, not differentiated into upper and lower parts, mazedium single in young apothecia, but divided into 3-7 mazedia in mature conditions; ascospores brown, 2-3 septate, constricted at septa Heterocyphelium
2b. Ascospores not in mazedium 3
3a. Ascomata without excipuloid tissue 4
3b. Ascomata with excipuloid tissue 5
4a. Ascomata not organized; fertile areas slightly differently coloured than thallus; interthecial tissue loose; asci bitunicate, 1-8 spored, globose, subglobose; ascospores hyaline, submuriform to muriform Cryptothecia
4b. Ascomata apothecia like irregular; interthecial tissue coherent; paraphysoids branched, anastomosed; asci bitunicate; ascospores multicelled, muriform Arthothelium
5a. Ascomata round 6
5b. Ascomata lirelline 21
6a. Ascomata urceolate, disc opening by pore 7
6b. Ascomata not urceolate 10
7a. Periphysoids present 8
7b. Periphysoids absent 9
8a. Thallus saxicolous or terricolous or on plant remains; ascomata immersed in thallus, with a well developed proper exciple covered externally by thalline exciple; asci 1 -8- spored; ascospores muriform, brown Diploschistes
21 8b. Thallus corticolous; columella absent; ascospores hyaline to brown, transseptate or muriform Thelotrema
9a. Proper exciple carbonized; columella often present, carbonized; ascospores hyaline to brown, transseptate or muriform Ocellularia
9b. Proper exciple colourless to reddish-brown, columella if present non-carbonized; ascospores hyaline to brown, transseptate or muriform Myriotrema
1 Oa. Ascomata inmiersed in thalline verrucae Ascomata perithecioid immersed in thalline verrucae; asci 1-8 spored; paraphyses branched and anastomozed; ascospores simple, large, thick walled, single, double/ triple layered often costulate and rarely laminate Pertusaria
10b. Ascomata not immersed in thalline verrucae 11
1 la. Ascomata biatorine 12
1 lb. Ascomata lecideine or lecanorine 14
12a. Ascospores simple, asci multispored Ascomata biatorine or lecideine; yellow or brightly coloured; asci multispored; ascospores small, simple, hyaline, thin walled Biatorella
12b. Ascospores transseptate, asci 1-8 spored 13
13a. Ascomata biatorine; paraphyses simple; asci 1-spored, ascospores hyaline, multicelled, muriform Brigantiaea
13b. Ascomata round, sessile or constricted at base, biatorine; paraphyses simple or forked; asci 1-8 spored; ascospores hyaline, 1-septate, thin walled Dimerella
14a. Ascomata lecideine 15
14b. Ascomata lecanorine 19
15a. Ascospores hyaline 16
15b. Ascospores brown 17
16a. Proper exciple para-or prosoplectenchymatous; paraphyses simple or forked; ascospores hyaline, 1 - many transseptate, acicular, bacillar, without halo .... Bacidia
22 16b. Paraphyses simple; asci 1-8 spored; ascospores hyaline, 1-transseptate, constricted at septum Catinaria
17a. Ascospores always transseptate Asci 1-8 spored, rarely 16-spored; paraphyses simple to apically branched not anastomosing; ascospores 1-septate, thick walled (mischoblastiomorphic or placodiomorphic) surface smooth or ornamented Buellia
17b. Ascospores transseptate to muriform 18
18a. Thallus saxicolous, areolate, verrucose; ascomata circular or angular, usually between areoles; paraphyses branched and anastomosed; ascospores brown, transseptate or muriform, often halonate Rhizocarpon
18b. Thallus corticolous or saxicolous; ascomata round; asci 1-8 spored; paraphyses simple to furcate, not anastomosing; ascospores brown, 2-5-transseptate to submuriform or muriform, thick walled Diplotomma
19a. Ascospores bipolarilocular Thallus crustose, saxicolous, terricolous, muscicolous, lignicolous or corticolous, squamulose, placodiod or crustose-effigurate at margins, yellowish-orange, red, brown-red to blackened, K+ purple or K-; ascospores 8-spored, hyaline, thick walled, bipolarilocular or rarely 3-loculed Caloplaca
19b. Ascospores not bipolarilocular 20
20a. Ascomata round; paraphyses simple to ftircate; asci 1-8 spored; ascospores hyaline, simple, usually smaller and thin or thick walled Lecanora
20b. Ascomata sunken in thallus or erumpent, round, with indistinct thalline margin; epithecium K- or K+ but not violet-purple; asci 1-8 spored; ascospores hyaline, transseptate or muriform Phlyctis
21 a. Paraphyses tips warty, periphysoids may or may not be warty 22
21 b. Paraphyses / periphysoids tips not warty 23
22a. Ascomata fissurine, excipular labia poorly developed or not, distinctly convergent so that the discs are ± open; the carbonization oftheexciple is restricted to the apices or the inner part of the labia; periphysoids may or may not be warty; ascospores 4- locular or muriform with thick jelly like spore wall, 1+ weakly bluish or I- (rarely 1+ blue-violet) Fissurina
23 22b. Periphysoids warty Labia carbonized, convergent, with thalline cover, respectively covered by a distinct white-pruinose layer in the upper part of the lirellae at least the slit is coated with warty periphysoids; ascospores hyaline, muriform, without halo, I- or 1+ slightly violet Carbacanthographis
23a. Ascomata embedded in pseudostromata 24
23b. Ascomata not embedded in pseudostromata 25
24a. Ascomata linear, simple or branched, often much branched; lateral exciple and labia well developed and carbonized; paraphyses simple, sometimes branched not anastomosing; ascospores hyaline, 3-11-transseptate, locules lentiform, longer than 20 \im Glyphis
24b. Ascomata dendroid-elongate, perithecioid to stellate and lirellate, proper exciple thin, rudimentary; ascospores hyaline to dark-brown, oblong-ovoid to elongate- fusiform, transseptate or muriform, constricted at one or more septa, thick-walled, the cells ± lenticular with thickened septa, usually with thick gelatinous sheath Sclerophyton
25a. Thalline margin covered with white powdery cover, C+, Lecanoric acid present. Exciple with distinctly carbonized areas; ascospores in mature stage, hyaline, I- or 1+ blue-violet Dyplolabia
25b. Thalline margin may or may not be covered with white powdery cover, C-, Lecanoric acid absent 26
26a. Epihymenium well developed, brown, formed by reticulately branched and anastomosed paraphyses tips. Disc ± open, whitish pruinose; exciple divergent, entire or with ± distinct striae, apices of the labia may be slightly carbonized; ascospores hyaline, very rarely brownish, rarely fusiform, transseptate or muriform, 1+ blue Diorygma
26b. Epihymenium indistinct, poorly developed 27
27a. Exciple not carbonized Labia well developed, convergent, mostly distinctly crenate and with internal striae; Disc not visible; the hyphae forming the lateral exciple; epithecium absent; ascospores at least 25 |xm long; ascospores hyaline, or pale brown to brown, transseptate or muriform with lenticular locules, at least 25 |im long, 1+ blue-violet, without gelatinous sheath Hemithecium
27b. Exciple distinctly carbonized 28
24 28a. Ascospores hyaline Exciple well developed, with distinctly carbonized areas; ascomata raised from the thallus; exciple and excipular labia mostly well developed and carbonized; ascospores hyaline, transseptate, or muriform Graphis
28b. Ascospores always brown 29
29a. Excipular labia and proper margins poorly developed and weakly carbonized, ± brown; the excipular base may be carbonized but does not spread into the hymenium; the hypothecium does not become carbonized with age; the discs not concealed and not pruinose; ascospores submuriform; ascospores pale brown to brown, transseptate or muriform, 1+ Phaeographis
29b. Proper margins well developed, convergent, apices wedge-shaped, carbonized or labia crenate with the lateral carbonization reaching the base of the exciple; discs ± sunken and whitish or grayish pruinose; ascomata large and prominent; ascospores pale brown to brown, transseptate with lenticular locules, or muriform, 1+ red brown Platygramme
30a. Ascomata perithecioid, ascomatal wall yellowish to red brownish 31
30b. Ascomata perithecioid, ascomatal wall black, carbonized 34
31 a. Ascospores hyaline 32
31b. Ascospores brown 33
32a. Ascomata covered by thalline tissue; paraphyses simple to sparingly branched, free; ostiole and ostiolar canal vertically terminal; ascospores hyaline, muriform Clathroporina
32b. Ascomata singular, smooth or rarely with short hairs or small warts; paraphyses simple, free; ascospore locules cylindrical or cubical, elongate, fiisiform or acicular, 1 -many-transseptate Porina
33 a. Ascomata immersed in thallus or thalline verrucae; paraphyses branched and anastomosing in upper part, periphysoids present; ascospores hyaline, rarely brownish, thin walled, submuriform to muriform Thelenella
33b. Ascomata single or grouped; ostioles vertically terminal; peridium with involucrellum, red-brown, pseudoparaphyses branched and anastomosing; ascospores brown, 1-3-transseptate with gelatinous sheath, swelling in K Mycomicrothelia
34a. Ascomata pyrenuloid, parathelioid, pyrenastroid, paraphyses simple 35
25 34b. Ascomata solitary or in pseudostromata, not fused and sharing a common ostiole or ostiolar plate, paraphyses branched and anastomosing 36
35a. Ascospores brown, endospore well developed, lumina rounded, mostly distoseptate, thick walled, 4-celled to muriform Pyrenula
35b. Ascospores hyaline, ovate, 4-celled, distoseptate, locales lenticular Lithothelium
36a. Pseudostromata mono-or polycarpic; peridium black with a cover of variable stromatal tissue; ostiole apical; ascospore locules lenticular 37
36b. Ascomata not in stroma; ostiole lateral; ascospore locules cylindrical 38
37a. Ascospores hyaline, multicelled muriform Laurera
37b. Ascospores hyaline, 3-to many transseptate, less than 100 |am long or if longer multiseptate, locules lentiform Trypethelium
38a. Ascomata singular or usually confluent, partially covered by thallus, peridium black with involucrellum; ascospores hyaline, acicular to filiform, transversely many septate Trichotrema
38b. Ascomata immersed or superficial; ostiolar canal lateral; ascospores mostly 2-celled, rarely 3-4-celled; cells mostly unequal Anisomeridium
Genus: Anisomeridium (Mull. Arg.) M. Choisy (Monoblastiaceae) Icon. Lick Univ.fasc, 3 (unpaged) (1926). Arthopyrenia sect. Anisomeridium Miill. Arg. F/ora, 66:290(1883).
Anisomeridium (MUll. Arg.) M. Choisy is characterized by: thallus whitish or grayish, endophloeodal or less commonly epilithic or endolithic. Photobiont a green alga Trentepohlia. Ascomata variable in size arid shape, immersed or superficial; outer layer of ascomatal wall dark brown or blackish, often lacking below. Hymenial gelatin, IKI-. Paraphyses thread like, branched and anastomosed. Asci bitunicate, mostly cylindrical or dactyloid, less commonly narrowly elliptical, narrowly ovate or narrowly obovate to ovate or obovate; normally with a small ocular chamber. Ascospores uniseriate, biseriate or irregularly arranged, broadly elliptical, broadly ovate to narrowly ovate or
26 subcylindrical, mostly 2-celled, rarely 3-4-celled; cells mostly unequal, often markedly so, lower cell shorter and narrower than upper; spore wall quite thick, upto 2 ^m; perispore usually not distinguishable. Macroconidia simple, orbicular or elliptical. Lichen substances: Lichexanthone in several species, anthraquinone pigments in Anisomeridium macrospora.
Anisomeridium is a widespread tropical genus known by 100 species at the world level (Kirk et al, 2001). So far only 2 species are reported from the Indian subcontinent (Awasthi, 2000). Two species of this genus namely Anisomeridium flavopallidum (Makhija & Patw.) R.C. Harris and A. indicum (Makhija & Patw.) R.C. Harris were recorded by Makhija & Patwardhan (1990) under the genus Ditremis (syn. of Anisomeridium).
Key to the species of Anisomeridium from Maharashtra
1 a. Thallus yellowish-white; UV+ (Lichexanthone present) A. flavopallidum lb. Thallus gray; UV- (Lichexanthone absent) A. indicum
Anisomeridium flavopallidum (Makhija & Patw.) R.C. Harris [Figs: 33,36,100] More Florida Lichens, Including the 10(j: tour of the Pyrenolichens (Published by the author, Bronx, New York), P. 146 (1995). = Ditremis flavopallida Makhija & Patw. Biovigyanam, 16(1): 16(1990).
Type: Maharashtra, Kamala, on the way to Ransai, 27.8.1974, P.G. Patwardhan & M.B. Nagarkar 74.431 (Holotype-AMH)!.
Thallus crustose, corticolous, yellowish-white, more or less smooth, effuse, endophloeodal, determinate, thick, black, hypothalloidal region at the periphery. Ascomata solitary, black, minute, orbicular, subglobose, semi-emergent, 0.2-0.4 mm in diam.; perithecium dark blackish-brown, dimidiate; hymenium heavily inspersed; ostioles black, oblique, laterally carbonized, moderately open, externally visible as white area
27 surrounded by black rim; asci 8-sporate. Ascospores uniseriate or biseriate, fusiform, elongate, ellipsoidal, slightly constricted at the septum, with slightly unequal to equal cells, 25.2-42 X 12.6-18 ^m. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV+ yellow; lichexanthone present.
Habitat: The species occurs in warm and moist areas.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra) and Norwegia.
Remarks.' Anisomeridium flavopallidum was earlier described as Ditremis flavopallida (Makhija &. Patwardhan, 1990) from Maharashtra is likely to be confused with A. indicum (Makhija & Patw.) R.C. Harris in having solitary ascomata, heavily inspersed hymenium, dimidiate perithecium, and in having same size of ascospores but differs from A. indicum in having yellowish-white thallus which gives yellowish-orange fluorescence under long-wave (365 nm) ultraviolet light indicating the presence of lichexanthone.
Anisomeridium flavopallidum has been recollected from Maharashtra after a lapse of twenty-eight years in 2002.
Specimens Examined: Raigad District, Kamala, 28.8.1974, M.B. Nagarkar & A.V. Prabhu, 74.468, 74.469, 74.471, 74.476, 74.477, 74.480, 74.497, 74.501, 74.523, 74.542, 74.546, 74.578, 74.611; 16.9.2002, B.C. Behera & B.A. Adawadkar, 02.106a. Ratnagiri District, Dabhole ghat, Ratnagiri-Kolhapur road, 5.12.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.2010, 74.2043, 74.2052, 74.2053, 74.2059; Nivali village, Chiplun- Hatkhamba road, C.R. Kulkami, 74.2060; Ganapatipule, C.R. Kulkami, 74.2078.
Anisomeridium indicum (Makhija & Patw.) R.C. Harris [Fig: 101] More Florida Lichens, Including the 10(1: tour of the Pyrenolichens (Published by the author, Bronx, New York), P. 147 (1995). =Ditremis indica Makhija & Patw. Biovigyanam, 16(1): 18(1990).
28 Type: Maharashtra, Karnala forest, 27.8.1974, M.B. Nagarkar and A.V. Prabhu, 74.456 (Holotype-AMH)!.
Thallus crustose, corticolous, gray, thin, smooth, cracked with age, deUmited by thick, black hypothalloidal region at the periphery. Ascomata black, solitary, subglobose or orbicular, 0.3-0.8 (-1.2) mm in diam.; wall of the ascomata brown to blackish-brown in sections, non-carbonized at the base; ostioles broadly open, often at the end of a short, narrow neck, white; asci 8-sporate. Ascospores mostly uniseriate, mostly with equal cells, oblong or oblongato-ellipsoidal, 29-42 x 10-17 ^m. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: Collected in the warm and moist forest areas.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra) and Norwegia.
Remarks: See under Anisomeridium flavopallidium (Makhija & Patw.) R.C. Harris.
Specimens Examined: Raigad District, Karnala, 28.8.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.484, 74.496, 74.521, 74.537; Ransai, 74.401, 74.407. Ratnagiri District, Ratnagiri-Kolhapur road, Dabhole ghat, 6.12.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.2094; 8.12.1974, P.O. Patwardhan & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.2294.
Genus: Arthothelium A. Massal. (Arthoniaceae) Richerch. Autrn. Lichen, 54: (1852).
The genus Arthothelium is characterized by a crustose, smooth, effuse or verrucose mostly ecorticate, corticolous, foliicolous, or saxicolous thallus; round, irregular to more or less lirelline, branched, immarginate ascomata with a rubbed-down appearance; branched, anastomosed and coherent paraphysoids, forming a thick epihymenium above; outermost paraphysoids often darkened forming a pseudoparathecium; 8-spored, subglobose, pyriform rarely clavate or ellipsoidal, bitunicate, fissitunicate or semi- fissitunicate, thick walled asci and colourless, muriform, ovate or ellipsoidal ascospores.
29 Arthothelium is a cosmopolitan genus, widely spread in the tropical regions of the world. About 80 species are known at the world level (Kirk et al, 2001). Of 43 species and 1 variety known from the Indian subcontinent 7 species were earlier recorded from Maharashtra (Makhija & Patwardhan, 1995, 1997; Awasthi, 2000). In the present studies one more species of this genus has been recorded namely Arthothelium deplanatum (Miill. Arg.) Makhija & Patw. from Maharashtra.
Key to the species of Arthothelium from Maharashtra la. Thallus saxicolous Thallus greenish-white, effuse, verruculose, granulose; ascomata black, punctate, aggregated in whitish verrucae; ascospores ovate to oblong, without a perispore, transversely 5-7-septate, vertically 1-5-septate, KI+ blue, 16.8-30 x 8-12 ^m; barbatic acid and unidentified substances present A. saxicoloum
1 b.Thallus corticolous 2
2a. Ascospores exceeding 40 i^m in length Thallus greenish-gray to grayish-white, smooth to strongly verrucose; ascomata immersed to naked, black, punctate, aggregated, pruinose; ascospores transversely 8- 11-septate, vertically 1-4-septate, 29.4-46.2 x 14-21 ^m; barbatic acid and two unidentified substances present A. awasthii
2b. Ascospores not exceeding 40 |im in length 3
3 a. Epihymenium black Thallus grayish-white, glossy, smooth; ascomata black, punctate, aggregated and sometimes appear as short lirelline structures; ascospores ovate, transversely 10- septate, vertically 1-4-septate, 21-29.4 x 10-15 ^m; no lichen substances present A. deplanatum
3b. Epihymenium not black 4
4a. Hymenium 1+ blue 5
4b. Hymenium 1+ orange-red or red 7
5a. Lichen substances present Thallus gray, cracked, granular; ascomata dark blackish-brown to black, immersed to flush; epihymenium dark blackish-brown; hymenium hyaline, 1+ blue; hypothecium brovm; ascospores elliptical, transversely 8-11-septate, vertically 1-4-septate, 23-33 x
30 9-13 i^m; unidentified substance indicated by a blue spot at psoromic acid in BDA and TEF A. subruanum
5b. Lichen substances absent 6
6a. Thallus gray to brownish-gray, glossy, folded; ascomata black, solitary to aggregated; epihymenium dark blackish-brown to bright brown; hymenium brown to light brown, 1+ blue; hypothecium brown to light brown; ascospores obovate to ovate, transversely 10-septate, vertically 1 -5-septate, 23-30 x 7-10 |im A. plicatum
6b. Thallus dull white to greenish-brown, smooth, glossy; ascomata dark blackish-brown to black; epihymenium dark brown; hymenium brown, 1+ blue; hypothecium blackish-brown; ascospores ovate, oblong, transversely 6-8-septate and vertically 1-3- septate, 16.8-21 x 6-8 |im A. abnorme
7a. Thallus pale brown to grayish-white to white, thin, smooth; ascomata becoming asterioid branched; epihymenium pale brown; hymenium hyaline, 1+ red; hypothecium hyaline; ascospores ovate to oblong, 1+ red, 16-22 x 7-8 i^m A. nigrodiscum
7b.Thallus grayish-white to yellowish-white, smooth; ascomata black, minute; epihymenium dark blackish-brown; hymenium dark brown to pale brown, 1+ orange- red; hypothecium dark blackish-brown; ascospores ovate to oblong, transversely 5-7- septate and vertically 3-5-septate, (12-)16-25 x 8-10 |im A. dispersum
Arthothelium abnorme (Ach.) Mull. Arg. [Fig: 102] F/ora,63:287(1880). = Opegrapha abnormis Ach. Z/c/2. ^mv., p. 259(1810).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, dull white to greenish-brown, smooth, glossy, totally endophloeodal; delimited by a black hypothalloidal region at the periphery. Ascomata dark blackish-brown to black, punctate, round or elongate to branched, delicate, small, 0.1-0.4 mm long and 0.1-0.3 mm broad, almost always embedded in the substratum, K-; epihymenium dark brown, 12.6-21 ^im thick; hymenium brown, 33.6-42 |j,m tall, K1+ blue; hypothecium dark blackish-brown, 12.6-25 [am thick; asci 8-sporate, bitunicate, obovoid to pyriform; paraphysoids profusely branched and anastomosed, strongly coherent. Ascospores hyaline, ovate, oblong, muriform, transversely 6-8-septate and vertically 1-3-septate, 16.8-21 x 6-8 |j.m. Chemistry: Thallus K-, P-, C-, KC-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: This species was collected on tree trunk on the road side in warm and humid conditions in semi-evergreen forests.
Distribution: India (Assam, Bengal, Calcutta, Kamataka, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu). Canada, Cuba, Jamica and USA.
Remarks: The occurrence of Arthothelium abnorme was earlier recorded by Makhija & Patwardhan (1995) from Maharashtra. The species has not been recollected in the present studies.
Specimen Examined: Mumbai District, Kolgaon-Sasawane, 1.2.1972, P.D. Badhe, 72.4.
Arthothelium awasthii Patw. & Makhija [Figs: 1, 42 «& 103] Biovigyanam, 7: 126 (1981).
Type: India, Maharashtra, Purandar Fort. elev. approx. 1400 M, P.O. Patwardhan, 71.8 (Holotype-AMH)!.
Thallus crustose, corticolous, greenish-gray to grayish-white or white, thin, smooth to distinctly verrucose, cracked, thick, with distinct algal layer. Ascomata arthonioid, black, punctate, often aggregated in large, elevated, round to irregular verrucae of the thallus, pruinose, immersed to naked, K-; epihymenium light to dark brovm, 12-17 ^m, KI-; hymenium pale brown or dark brown to hyaline, 80-172 \xm tall, KI+ red; hypothecium light brownish, 25-47 nm; asci 8-sporate, bitunicate, pyriform; paraphysoids branched, anastomosed and strongly coherent and compressed. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, transversely 8-11-septate, vertically 1-4-septate, ovate, obovate, 29.4- 46.2 X 14-21 ^m. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P+ yellow; UV-; barbatic acid and two unidentified substances present.
32 Habitat: Most common in dry and moist deciduous forests in open places, in Maharashtra. Huge circular to oval patches on tree trunks are found associated with Phlyctis communis.
Distribution: India (Assam, Kamataka, Maharashtra and Meghalaya).
Remarks: Arthothelium awasthii, is one of the most widely distributed species of Arthothelium in Maharashtra. It is much varied in its thallus texture ranging from smooth, verruculose, verrucose to tuberculate. A. awasthii has been reported (Makhija & Patwardhan, 1995) to be closely related to A. chiodectoides (Nyl.) Zahlbr. which, however, has ascospores with a large terminal cell.
Specimens Examined: Chandrapur District, Allapalli forest, 10.12.1970, P.D. Badhe, 70.92. Kolhapur District, Panhala, 13.10.1974, P.G. Patwardhan & C.R. Kulkami, 74.1189, 74.1212, 74.1213, 74.1221, 74.1228, 77.1189; 9.9.1988, P.G. Patwardhan & M.B. Nagarkar, 88.108; 4.9.1990, U.V. Makhija & B.A. Adawadkar, 90.25; 9.9.1988, P.G. Patwardhan & C.R. Kulkami, s.n.; Near Panhala guest house, 13.10.2000, U.V. Makhija & K.R. Randive, 00.461. Nasik District, Igatpuri, 24.9.2002, G.S. Chitale & A.V. Bhosale, 02.190; Saptashringi Gad, B.A. Adawadkar & G.S. Chitale, 02.192. Pune District, Bhimashankar, 17.9.1997, U.V. Makhija, 97.4, 97.5, 97.12; Khandala, near Boma hills, 25.8.1973, P.G. Patwardhan, 73.215, 73.217, 73.218; 18.9.1974, M.B. Nagarkar & A.V. Prabhu, 74.721, 74.723, 74.724, 74.725, 74.726, 74.727, 74.728, 74.729; Purandar, 31.1.1971, P.G. Patwardhan, 71.5; 1972, P.G. Patwardhan, 72.135, 72.136, 72.143. Raigad District, Kamala, 16.9.2002, B.C. Behera & B.A. Adawadkar, 02.105. Satara District, Panchgani, P.D. Badhe, 11.11.1972, 72.40, 72.41; 21.6.1973, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 73.40; 13.9.1977, P.G. Patwardhan, 77.619, 77.620; 11.6.1980, U.V. Makhija & D.W. Rane, 80.317, 80.318, 80.319, 80.320, 80.321, 80.322; 4.8.1981; P.G. Patwardhan & U.V. Makhija, 81.262, 81.263, 81.264; D.W. Rane, 81.265, 81.266; 4.8.1981, M.B. Nagarkar, 81.267, 81.268; 4.8.1981, P.G. Patwardhan & D.W. Rane, 81.269, 81.270, 81.281, 81.291; 25.9.2001, U.V. Makhija & G.S. Chitale, 01.1, 01.2, 01.3, 01.4, 01.5, 01.31, 01.44, 01.56; 29.3.2003, G.S. Chitale & N. Verma, 03.379,
33 03.380, 03.381. Sindhudurg District, Amboli, 10.10.1974, C.R. Kulkami, 74.1583, 74.1584 (Holotype of Arthothelium verruculosum Patw. & Makhija, AMH); 22.9.1980, P.G. Patwardhan, 80.475, 80.476, 80.477, 80.478.
Arthothelium deplanatum (Mull. Arg.) Makhija & Patw. [Figs: 2, 41 & 104] J. Hattori. Bot. Lab., 78: 209 (1995). = Mycoporum deplanatum Miill. Arg. Journ. Linn. Soc. Bot., 28: 229 (1892).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, grayish-white, glossy, smooth, ± continuous, totally endophloeodal; algal cells are observed in small clusters and do not form a continuous layer. Ascomata black, punctate, aggregated and appear as short lirelline structure, with short branches, epruinose, K-; epihymenium dark blackish-brown to black; hymenium dark brown, 25-46 tall, KI+ blue; hypothecium dark blackish-brown, 14-22 i^m thick; asci 8-sporate, bitunicate clavate to pyriform; paraphysoids branched, anastomosed and strongly coherent. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, ovate, transversely 10-septate, vertically 1-4-septate, 21-29.4 x 10-15 |im. Chemistry: Thallus K -, P-, C-, KC-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: This species is rare and found in dry and semi-evergreen forest in Panhala.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra, Manipur and Tamil Nadu).
Remarks: Arthothelium deplanatum (Mull. Arg.) Makhija & Patw. a species reported earlier from Manipur and Tamil Nadu has been reported for the first time from Maharashtra.
Specimens Examined: Kolhapur District, Panhala, 13.10.2000, B.A. Adawadkar & K.R. Randive, 00.379. Nasik District, Anjaneri, 26.9.2002, B.C. Behera & G.S. Chitale, 02.235. Pune District, Sinhagad, 4.7.2003, G.S. Chitale & A.V. Dube, 03.70.
Arthothelium dispersum (DC.) Mudd [Fig: 105] MannualBrit. Lick, p. 252, tab. N, fig 99 (1861).
34 = Opegrapha dispersa DC. apud. Lam et DC. Flor. Franc, 2(3): 308 (1865).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, grayish-white to yellowish-white, thin; determinate. Ascomata black, round to elongate, epruinose, minute, 0.1-0.4 mm across, K-; epihymenium dark blackish-brown 13-22 \xm thick; hymenium dark brown to pale brown, 25-55 fim tall, KI+ orange-red; hypothecium dark blackish-brown, 7-30 \xm thick; asci 8-sporate, bitunicate, obovate to pyriform; paraphysoids profusely branched, anastomosed and coherent. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, ovate to oblong, transversely 5-7-septate, and vertically 3-5-septate, (12-) 16-25 x (6-) 8-10 |am. Chemistry: Thallus K + yellow, P-, C-, KC-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: In India this species is rare and collected only in Maharashtra in semi-evergreen forest.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra), California and Sri Lanka.
Remarks: This species was earlier reported (Makhija & Patwardhan, 1995) from Karnala and has been recollected from the same locality in Maharashtra after a lapse of twenty- eight years in 2002.
Specimens Examined: Raigad District, Karnala, 28.8.1974, M.B. Nagarkar. 74.529; 16.9.2002, B.C. Behera & B.A. Adawadkar, 02.103, 02.104.
Arthothelium nigrodiscum Patw. & Makhija [Fig: 106] Biovigyanam, 7: 127(1981).
Type: India, Maharashtra, Kolhapur dist., Amba to Gajapur Road, Vishalgad, in moist evergreen forests, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.2164 (Holotype-AMH)!.
Thallus crustose, corticolous, pale brown to grayish-white to white, thin, smooth; determinate but without distinct hypothallus. Ascomata arthonioid in young stages, later becoming asterioid branched and more or less lirelline, often irregularly branched,
35 minute; disc dark black, epruinose, flush with the thallus, demarcated by thalline margin like growth of the thallus; epihymenium pale brown, thin, about 8.4-12 |Lim thick; hymenium hyaline, 33-74 |im tall, KI+ red; hypothecium hyaline, 18-29.4 |iim thick; paraphyses coherent, often branched at the apical part only; asci 8-sporate, bitunicate, clavate to pyriform, thick walled, pedicellate. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, ovate to oblong, biseriate, 16-22 x 7-8 |am, KI+ red. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: Collected in moist evergreen forest.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: Arthothelium nigrodiscum having small ascospores of 16-22 x 7-8 |am is distinctly distinguished by its black lirellae, often irregularly branched, epruinose ascomata; hyaline hymenium (1+ red) covered by the light brown epihymenium.
Arthothelium plicatum Makhija & Patw. [Fig: 107] J. HattoriBot. Lab., 78: 215 (1995).
Type: India, Maharashtra, Ratnagiri dist., Nivali village, on Chiplun-Hatkhamba Road, 5.12.1974, C.R. Kulkami, 74.2042 (Holotype-AMH)!.
Thallus crustose, corticolous, gray to brownish-gray, glossy, folded, totally endophloeodal. Ascomata black, arthonioid, more or less round, solitary to aggregated, 0.35-1.0 mm across, epruinose, K-; epihymenium dark blackish-brown, to bright brown, 10-17(-30) nm thick; hymenium brown to light brown, 36-50 ^m tall, KI+ blue; hypothecium concolorous with the hymenium 7-13 ^m thick; asci 8-sporate, bitunicate, subglobose, to globose; paraphysoids branched, anastomosed and strongly coherent. Ascospores hyaline, muriform obovate, ovate, transversely 10-septate, vertically 1-5- septate, 23-30 x 7-10 |xm. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: An endemic species found growing on trees in moist evergreen forest.
36 Distribution: Known only from Maharashtra.
Remarks: Arthothelium plicatum, is distinguished by its glossy, folded and gray coloured thallus. This species is known only by its type and has never been recollected.
Arthothelium saxicolum Makhija & Patw. [Fig: 108] Lichenologist, 29(2): 169(1997).
Type: India, Maharashtra State, Purandar fort, elev. ca. 1400 m, on basaltic rock, 27.10.1993, B.A. Adawadkar, 93.1 (Holotype- AMH)!.
Thallus crustose, saxicolous, ecorticate, pale white, greenish-white, effuse, verruculose, granulose, minutely cracked, 50-100 \xm thick, highly studded with crystals; photobiont Trentepohlia, cells subglobose, 4-13 ^m across, forming a distinct layer. Ascomata black, punctate, aggregated in whitish, small verrucae, 0.5-1.0 mm across, often separated from the vegetative thallus by a cleavage, K-; epihymenium dark brown, sometimes covered by a thin, hyaline layer consisting of photobiont cells, a few fiingal hyphae, 13-17 |im thick, 1+ blue; hymenium brown to colourless, KI+ blue, 42-109 |im thick; hypothecium dark brown, 50-73 |xm tall; paraphysoids branched and anastomosed, strongly coherent, leaving hardly any space between two asci; asci 8-sporate, bitunicate, cylindrico-clavate to obovate, pedicellate, KI+ blue. Ascospores hyaline, not turning brown, muriform, broadly ovate to oblong, without a perispore, transversely 5-7-septate, vertically 1-5-septate, 16.8-30 x 8-12 nm, KI+ blue. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, PD-; UV-; barbatic acid and unidentified substances
Habitat: This is a shade-loving species occurring in sheltered or exposed situation on basaltic rock outcrops in the northern parts of the western ghats at elevation ranging from 650 m to 1400 m on the stone walls of several forts and on the exposed basaltic rocks in the hill ranges all along the western ghats in Maharashtra.
Distribution: India, Maharashtra.
37 Remarks: Arthothelium awasthii closely resembles A. saxicolum with regard to most morphological characters. However, it is corticolous and has much larger ascospores, 29.4-46.2 X 14-21 ^im.
Arthothelium saxicolum is known only from Maharashtra, India.
Specimens Examined: Nasik District, Anjaneri, 26.9.2002, B.C. Behera & G.S. Chitale, 02.234, 02.236, 02.237; Saptashringi Gad, 24.9.2002, B.C. Behera & G.S. Chitale, 02.179. Pune District, Purandar fort, elev. c. 1400 m, on basaltic rock, 27.10. 1993, B.A. Adawadkar, 93.2, 93.3; 13.9.2002, B.C. Behera & A.V. Bhosale, 02.78, 02.79, 02.80.
Arthothelium subruanum Makhija & Patw. [Fig: 109] J. Hattori Bot. Lab., 78: 218 (1995). Type: Maharashtra, Mahabaleshwar, Arther Seat, 27.11.1974. A.V. Prabhu «fe M.B. Nagarkar, 74.1756 (Holotype-AMH)!.
Thallus crustose, corticolous, gray, cracked, granular; determinate, endophloeodal; algal layer distinct, continuous. Ascomata arthonioid, dark blackish- brown to black; more or less round to irregular in shape, epruinose, immersed to flush, 0.5-1 mm across, K-; epihymenium dark blackish-brown, 21-38 |j,m thick; hymenium hyaline, 42-96 \ira tall, KI+ blue; hypothecium brown, 16-52 ^im thick; asci 8-sporate, bitunicate, cyclindrico-clavate; paraphysoids profusely branched, anastomosed and coherent. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, elliptical, transversely 8-11-septate, verticaly 1-4-septate, 23-33 x 9-13 ^m. Chemistry: Thallus K-, P-, C-, KC-; UV-; unidentified 5 (Makhija & Patwardhan, 1995) substance is present indicted by blue spot at psoromic acid in BDA and TEF.
Habitat: Collected from moist evergreen forest.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
38 Remarks: The most closely related to Arthothelium ruanum (Mass.) Korb. differs from the present species in having smaller ascomata and smaller ascospore. Moreover, no lichen substance is present in the thallus of ^4. ruanum, (Makhija & Patwardhan, 1995).
Specimens Examined: Satara District, Mahabaleshwar, Arther Seat, 27.11.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.1766, 74.1797; near old Mahabaleshwar, 74.1686; Lodwick point, 28.11.1974, M.B. Nagarkar, 74.1901.
Genus: Bacidia De Not. (Biatoraceae) Giom. Bot. Ital, 2(1): 189 (1846).
The lichen genus Bacidia De Not. is characterized by: thallus crustose, effuse, ecorticate, foliicolous, corticolous or saxicolous. Photobiont a green alga {Chlorococcaceae). Apothecia sessile, round, biatorine, proper exciple para- or prosoplectenchymatous. Paraphyses sparingly branched with hyaline or pigmented apices, or branched and anastomosing. Asci 8-spored, bitunicate, tholus 1+ blue, with 'chambre oculaire' and 'masse axiale' sensu stricto. Ascospores colourless, transversely (1-) 2-many septate, acicular, ellipsoid or bacillar, lacking halo. Pycnoconidia simple or septate, variously shaped.
Bacidia is a widespread genus with about 200 species known at the world level (Kirk et al, 2001). 26 species are so far known from the Indian subcontinent (Awasthi, 2000). There are no earlier records of the genus Bacidia from Maharashtra. In the present study 10 species are being reported for the first time from Maharashtra. Bacidia albicerata (Kremp.) Zahlbr. and Bacidia subacerina Nyl. are being recorded for the first time from India.
Key to the species of Bacidia from Maharashtra la. Ascospores less than 50 ^m in length 2 lb. Ascospores more than 50 |im in length 6
2a. Epihymenium K+ violet 3
39 2b. Epihymenium K- 4
3a. Thallus blackish; apothecia dark brown to black, 0.5-1 mm in diam.; exciple light yellowish-brown to dark brown; ascospores acicular, 6-13-transseptate, 25-38 x 3.2-4 Hm; an unidentified substance present B. alutacea
3b. Thallus greenish-brown; apothecia orange-brown to brown, 0.2-1 mm in diam.; exciple orangish-brown; ascospores bacillar, straight, 6-15-transseptate, 29.4-38 x 3.2-4.2 |am; no lichen substances present Bacidia sp. 3
4a. Ascospores acicular Thallus dark green; apothecia whitish to whitish-orange, 0.2-1 mm in diam.; exciple hyaline to yellowish, prosoplectenchymatous; epihymenium hyaline to pale yellow; hypothecium light yellow; ascospores acicular, 8-transseptate, 30-33 x 3-4 |im; 2 unidentified substances present B. submedialis
4b. Ascospores other than acicular 5
5a. Thallus green to blackish-green; apothecia yellow to black, 0.3-1.5 mm in diam.; exciple hyaline, prosoplectenchymatous; epihymenium light brown; hypothecium dark brown; ascospores oblong, 3-transseptate, 17-21 x 6-8.4 |im; 2 unidentified substances present B. albicerata
5b. Thallus glaucous green to whitish; apothecia pale yellow to pale brown, 0.25-0.7 mm in diam.; exciple hyaline to light brownish, prosoplectenchymatous; epihymenium light brown, K-; hypothecium hyaline; ascospores oblong to fusiform, 4-8- transseptate, 6-20 x 2-4 |im, KI+blue; no lichen substances present B. incongruens
6a. Exciple paraplectenchymatous /^ U o Thallus yellowish-white; apothecia orange to blackish, 0.1-1 mm in diam.; exciple yellowish to light brown; epihymenium hyaline to pale brown, K-; hypothecium pale brown; ascospores acicular, 10-20-transseptate, thin walled, 46-84 x 3.2-4.2 |im; 2 unidentified substances B. fusconigrescens
6b. Exciple prosoplectenchymatous 7
7a. Hypothecium hyaline to light brown 8
7b. Hypothecium dark brownish-black 9
8a. Thallus yellowish-brown; apothecia brown, 0.2-1 mm in diam.; exciple orange brown to yellowish-brown; epihymenium light yellow to brown, K-; hypothecium hyaline; ascospores acicular, accuminate, 13-18-transseptate, 46-80 x 3-4 |im, K-; no lichen substances present B. subacerina 8b. Thallus grayish-green; apothecia dark brown to black, 0.25-0.75 mm in diam.; exciple light brown to dark brown; epihymenium light brown, K-; hypothecium light yellowish-brown; ascospores 8-16-transseptate, 42-71(-76) x 2-4; Kl+blue; an unidentified substance B. luteola
9a. Thallus yellowish-green; apothecia brownish-orange, 0.25-1.0 mm in diam.; exciple brownish, darker at periphery; ascospores 6-12-transseptate, 29-54 x 1.6-3 |im, KI-; 2 unidentified terpenes present Bacidia sp. 2
9b. Thallus grayish-green; apothecia dark brown to black, 0.25-1 mm in diam.; exciple orange-brown; ascospores 12-20-transseptate, 50.4-76 x 3-4 |im, KI+ blue; 2 unidentified substances present Bacidia sp. 1
Bacidia albicerata (Kremp.) Zahlbr. [Figs. 39 & 110] Cat. Lich. Univ., 4: 98 (1927). = Lecidea albicerata Kremp. Verhandl. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien., 26: 455 (1876).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, olive green, to blackish-green, granular, rough, minutely cracked, thin, epiphloeodal, 29.4-71.4 |am; algal layer continuous, nonsorediate, nonisidiate; hypothallus black. Apothecia yellowish-orange, rim black, solitary, adnate to slightly emergent, constricted, 0.3-1.5 mm in diam.; disc yellowish-orange, black, smooth, flat, epruinose; exciple light yellowish, thin to moderately thick, in section hyaline, prosoplectenchymatous; epihymenium light brown, 8.4-16.8 ^m thick, K-; hymenium hyaline, 71.4-92.4 |xm tall, KI+ blue; subhymenium yellowish-brown, 21-34 \ym thick; hypothecium dark brown, 30-45 ^m thick; paraphyses simple to sparsely branched, slender, tips globose; asci 8-sporate, cylindrical, 71.4-100 x 17-21 [im, KI+ blue. Ascospores hyaline, oblong, small, 3-transseptate, but indistinct, 3-4-locules, 17-21 X 6-8.4 ^m. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; 2 unidentified substances (indicated by dark blue-green spots at Rf 5-6 in BDA and TEF) present.
Habitat: This species has been collected in semi-evergreen forest at Amboli.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra) and New Zealand.
41 Remarks: According to Galloway (1985), Bacidia albicerata has ascospores of 8-16 x 6- 9 ^m. However, the specimen at hand has slightly larger ascospores of 16-21 x 6-8 ^m. The present species from New Zealand, is being reported for the first time from India.
Specimen Examined: Sindhudurg District, Amboli, 8.9.1976, U.V. Makhija, 76.1248.
Bacidia alutacea (Kremp.) Zahlbr. [Figs. 37 <& 111] Cat. Lich. Univ., 4: 174 (1927). = Lecidea alutacea Kremp. F/ora, 61:519(1878).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, black, thin, granular, cracked, nonisidiate, nonsorediate; algal layer epiphloeodal; hypothallus black. Apothecia dark brown to black, irregular in shape, solitary, 0.5-1 mm in diam.; disc light brown to dark brown, sometimes convex to flat, epruinose; exciple brownish, black at rim, in section light yellowish to sometimes brown to dark brown, prosoplectenchymatous; epihymenium light yellowish-brown, 3-4.2 ^m thick, K+ violet; hymenium hyaline, 46-50 |am tall, KI+ blue; subhymenium light yellow, 34-46 |jm thick; hypothecium yellow, 45-70 \x.m thick; paraphyses simple, tips globose; asci 8-sporate, long, cylindrical, 42-55 x 13-17 i^m. Ascospores hyaline, acicular, 6-13-transseptate, 25-38 x 3.2-4 ^im. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; an unidentified substance (indicated by yellowish spot at Rf 4-5 in BDA& TEF) present.
Habitat: It occurs in moist deciduous and semi-evergreen forests at higher altitude of about 1300 m above msl.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra, Manipur and Tamil Nadu), Australia and Hawaii Islands.
Remarks: According to Awasthi & Mathur (1987), Bacidia alutacea has yellowish- brown thallus and ascospores are in the range 40-62 |jm long. The specimens at hand have black thallus and smaller ascospores of 25.2-38 x 3.2-4 ^m in size. Though there is
42 a slight difference in the spore length, the specimens are kept in B. alutacea till more material can be studied.
This is the first record of Bacidia alutacea from Maharashtra.
Specimens Examined: Kolhapur District, Panhala, 13.10.1974, P.G. Pawardhan & C.R. Kulkami, 74.1163; 13.10.2000, U.V. Makhija & V.A. Mantri, 00.436, 00.437. Satara District, Mahabaleshwar, Lodwick Point, 28.11.1974, M.B. Nagarkar & A.V. Prabhu, 74.1860.
Bacidia fusconigrescens (Kremp.) Zahlbr. [Figs.: 4 & 112] Cat. Lich. Univ., 4: 200 (1927). = Lecidea fusconigrescens Kremp. F/o7'a,61:493(1878).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, yellowish-white, rough, granular, finely cracked, thin, nonisidiate, nonsorediate, epiphloeodal, 50-105 |xm thick; algal layer continuous; hypothallus distinctly black. Apothecia orange to blackish, adnate, globose, few, solitary, dispersed, 0.1-1 mm in diam.; disc light orange to blackish, flat to concave, epruinose; exciple dark brown to black, in section yellowish to light brown, paraplectenchymatous becoming darker at periphery; epihymenium hyaline to pale brown, 13-21 ^m thick, K-; hymenium hyaline, 55-76 |^m tall, KI+ blue; subhymenium indistinct; hypothecium pale brown, cellular, 38-55 |am thick; paraphyses distinctly branched with globose apices; asci 8-sporate, long, cylindrical, 50-71 x 13-17 ^m, KI+ blue. Ascospores hyaline, acicular, straight to curved, 10-20-transseptate, thin walled, 46-84 x 3.2-4.2 |im. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; 2 unidentified substances present.
Habitat: The specimens were collected in both moist, open deciduous forests and also in semi-evergreen forests.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu) and Hawaii Islands.
43 Remarks: The specimens at hand are identical in all respects to Bacidia fusconigrescens (Nyl.) Zahlbr. except the presence of two unidentified substances in our specimens. It is being recorded for the first time from Maharashtra.
Specimens Examined: Kolhapur District, on the way to Phonda from Radhanagari, 12.10.2000, U.V. Makhija & V.A. Mantri, 00.305. Raigad District, Karnala, 28.8.1974, M.B. Nagarkar & A.V. Prabhu, 74.556; Ransai, 27.8.1974, P.G. Patwardhan & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.403. Satara District, Mahabaleshwar, Pratapgad, 28.2.1972, P.D. Badhe, 72.18, 72.23; Lodwick Road, 28.11.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.1856, 74.1865. Sindhudurg District, Amboli, 18.10.1974, A.V. Prabhu, 74.1569, 74.1575.
Bacidia incongruens (Stirt.) Zahlbr. [Figs.: 38 & 113] Cat. Lick Univ., 4: 208 (1927). = Lecidea incongruens Stirt. Proc. Roy. Soc. Glasgow, 314(1879).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, glaucous green to whitish, more or less smooth, finely granular, minutely cracked, thin, glossy, nonisidiate, nonsorediate, epiphloeodal 29.4-71.4 (am thick; algal layer continuous; hypothallus distinctly black. Apothecia pale yellow to pale brown, adnate, constricted, solitary, 0.25-0.7 mm in diam.; disc pale yellow to pale brown, smooth, flat, epruinose; exciple thin, green to whitish, in section hyaline to light brown, prosoplectenchymatous; epihymenium light brown, 8.4-12.6 ^m thick, K-; hymenium hyaline to light brown, 67-84 (am tall, KI+ blue; subhymenium light yellow, 25-37 ^im thick; hypothecium hyaline, 18-30 (im thick; paraphyses simple to sparsely branched, septate, slender, tips globose; asci 8-sporate, cylindrical, 59-80 x 12.6- 17 (im, KI+ blue. Ascospores hyaline, fusiform, short, oblong, 4-8-transseptate, 16-20 x 2-4 \im, KI+ blue. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: The specimen has been collected in the semi-evergreen forest of Amboli.
Distribution: India (Assam and Maharashtra).
44 Remarks: Bacidia incongruens, a species which was previously reported only from its type locality Assam, has now been reported for the first time from Maharashtra.
Specimen Examined: Sindhudurg District, Amboli-Nanapali, 8.12.1974, C.R. Kulkami, 74.2365.
Bacidia luteola (Schrad.) Mudd [Fig.: 114] Manual Brit. Lick, 183(1861). = Lichen luteolus Schrad. Spicil. Flor. German, 85 (1794).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, grayish-green, rough to granular, minutely cracked, nonisidiate, nonsorediate, epiphloeodal, 84-88 ^m; algal layer continuous; hypothallus black. Apothecia dark brown, to mostly black, 0.25-0.75 mm in diam.; disc black, concave to flat, adnate, small, epruinose; exciple black, in section light brown becoming brown, prosoplectenchymatous; epihymenium light brown, 8.4-13 |im thick, K-; hymenium hyaline, 63-76 |im tall, KI+ blue; subhymenium light to dark orangish, 29-50 |am thick; hypothecium light yellowish-brown, 30-40 |im thick; paraphyses branched, tips globose; asci 8-sporate, cylindrical, 59-88 x 8.4-17 nm, KI+ blue. Ascospores acicular, accuminate, 8-16-transseptate, 42-71 (-76) x 2- 4 fim, KI+ blue. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; an unidentified substance indicated by yellow spot present at Rf 7 in BDA.
Habitat: The species has been collected in warm and humid, semi-evergreen forest.
Distribution: India (Darjeeling, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur and Maharashtra), Hawaii Islands and North America.
Remarks: Bacidia luteola has been reported for the first time from Maharashtra.
Specimen Examined: Kolhapur District, Amba-Vishalgad, 6.12.1974, M.B. Nagarkar, 74.2229. Raigad District, Kamala, Ransai, 27.8.1974, P.G. Patwardhan & A.V. Prabhu, 74.413.
45 Bacidia subacerina Nyl.e\\ain. [Fig.: 115] Acta. Soc. et Fl Fenn., 53(1): 174 (1922).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, yellowish-brown, thin, granular, cracked, nonisidiate, nonsorediate, 30-35 ^m thick; hypothallus black. Apothecia orangish- brown, glossy, convex, sometimes concave to flat, solitary, 0.2-1 mm in diam.; disc brownish-black, epruinose; exciple externally as well as in section, orangish-brown to yellowish-brown, prosoplechtenchymatous; epihymenium light yellow to brown, 8-17 Hm thick, K-; hymenium hyaline, 84-93 |am thick; subhymenium light yellow, 21-42 |im thick; hypothecium hyaline, 45-70 |im thick; paraphyses branched, tips globose; asci 8- sporate, long, cylindrical, 76-88 x 13-16.8 |am. Ascospores acicular, acuminate,13-18- transseptate, 46-80 x 3-4 fim, KI-. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: Bacidia subacerina Nyl. occurs in moist deciduous forests, where there are heavy rains in the monsoon.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra) and Persia.
Remarks: Bacidia subacerina is comparable to B. fusconigrescens (Nyl.) Zahlbr. but can be distinguished on the basis of hyaline hypothecium in the present species whereas hypothecium in B. fusconigrescens is pale brown. B. subacerina is being reported for the first time from India.
Specimens Examined: Kolhapur District, Panhala, 13.10.1974, P.G. Pawardhan, & A.V. Prabhu, 74.1154, 74.1175. Sindhudurg District, on the way to Phonda from Radhanagari, 12.10.2000, U.V. Makhija & B.C. Behera, 00.306, 00.309; on the way to Kumbhi from Gaganbawada, 12.10.2000, B.C. Behera & B.A. Adawadkar, 00.354.
Bacidia submedialis (Nyl.) Zahlbr. [Fig: 116] Cat. Lich. Univ., 4: 243 (1927). = Lecidea submedialis Nyl. Acta Soc. Sci. Fenn., 26(10): 14 (1900).
46 Thallus crustose, corticolous, dark green, rough, granular-powdery, finely cracked, thin, nonisidiate, nonsorediate, epiphloeodal, 45-90 ^m thick; hypothallus whitish. Apothecia whitish to whitish-orange, globose, adnate to distinctly emergent, constricted, abundant, solitary, to sometimes in groups of 2-4, 0.2-1 mm in diam.; disc whitish-orange to orange, convex, smooth, epruinose; exciple brownish, seen clearly in young apothecia but disappearing in mature, in section yellowish to hyaline, prosoplectenchymatous; epihymenium hyaline to pale yellow, 3-6 |im thick, K-; hymenium hyaline, 51-66 f^m tall, KI+ blue; subhymenium light yellow, 15-30 i^m thick; hypothecium yellowish, 38-55 |im thick; paraphyses sparsely branched with forked apices; asci 8-sporate, long, cylindrical with ascospores arranged longitudinally, 45-60 x 9-12 \xm, KI+ blue. Ascospores hyaline, acicular, straight to slightly curved, 8- transseptate, 30-33 x 3-4 ^m, KI-. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; atranorin present.
Habitat: The species has been collected in semi-evergreen forest of Amboli. The area receives heavy rains in monsoon.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra) and Sri Lanka.
Remarks: The specimens of Bacidia submedialis (Nyl.) Zahlbr. has slightly smaller ascospores than they are described in the protologue of 5. submedialis (50 [am length).
According to Awasthi and Mathur (1987), B. submedialis is distinguished from B. spadicea (Ach.) in Zahlbr. and B. subannexa (Nyl.) Zahlbr. on the basis of ascospores, constantly 7-8-transseptate, whereas the latter two species have more than 7 transverse septa (up to 15-20 transverse septa).
So far it is known only from the type locality Ceylon (Sri Lanka), and has now been reported for the first time from Maharashtra.
Specimens Examined: Pune District, Lonavala, Amby valley, 5.8.2003, G.S. Chitale & N. Verma, 03.235, 03.231. Sindhudurg District, on the way to Amboh from Ajra, 10.10.2000, U.V. Makhija & B.A. Adawadkar, 00.212. 03.389.
47 Bacidia sp. 1 [Fig.: 117]
Thallus crustose, corticolous, grayish-green, rough, granular, finely cracked, thin, glossy, nonisidiate, nonsorediate, epiphloeodal, 30-45 ^m thick; algal layer continuous; hypothallus black. Apothecia dark brown to black, adnate, constricted, solitary, 0.25-1 mm in diam.; disc dark brown to black, smooth, flat to sometimes convex, glossy epruinose; exciple thin, distinctly black, in section light brown to orangish-brown, prosoplectenchymatous; epihymenium light brown, 13-16 \im thick, K-; hymenium hyaline, 71-95 \xm tall, KI+ blue; subhymenium orangish-brown, 25-46 ^m thick; hypothecium dark brown-black, 100-155 |im thick; paraphyses simple; asci 8-sporate, cylindrical, 63-84 x 13-17 \im, KI+ blue. Ascospores hyaline, acicular, 12-20- transseptate, 50.4-76 x 3-4 |im, KI+ blue. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; an unidentified substance present.
Habitat: The species is collected in moist, deciduous forests at an ahitude of about 3127 ft. above msl.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: The present species is comparable to Bacidia luteola (Schrad.) Mudd in almost all characters but varies in having black hypothecium in the present species. Hypothecium is yellowish-brown to brown in B. luteola.
Specimen Examined: Kolhapur District, Amba-Vishalgad, 6.12.1974, M.B. Nagarkar, 74.2229.
Bacidia sp.2 [Fig.: 118]
Thallus crustose, corticolous, yellowish-green, rough, to warty, cracked, nonisidiate, nonsorediate, partly epiphloeodal, 54-84 ^m thick; algal layer continuous; hypothallus black. Apothecia brownish-orange, few, mostly solitary, 0.25-1.0 mm in diam.; disc brownish-orange to dark brownish-black, strongly convex, epruinose; exciple dark brown to black excluded in mature apothecia, in section brown, 33-50 ^m thick.
48 prosoplectenchymatous and becoming darker at periphery; epihymenium light brown, 13- 21 i^m, K-; hymenium hyaline, 63.0-113.4 ^m tall, KI+ blue; subhymenium yellowish to light brownish, 29-50 ^m thick; hypothecium dark brownish-black, 38-55 [im thick; paraphyses simple, branched with club-shaped apices; asci 8-sporate, narrowly clavate, pedicellate; spores arranged longitudinally, 50-67 x 8-13 |am, KI+ blue. Ascospores hyaline, acicular, 6-12-transseptate, thin-walled, 29-54 x 1.6-3 \xm, KI-. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; 2 unidentified substances present.
Habitat: It occurs in moist, open, semi-evergreen forests at an altitude ranging from 1000-1300 ft. above msl.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: Bacidia sp. 2 can be compared to Bacidia sp.l in having the dark brownish- black hypothecium. But Bacidia sp. 2 has smaller ascospores, whereas Bacidia sp.l has ascospores 12-20-transseptate, 50.4-76 x 3-4 ^m. The specimens at hand are too scanty to study the variations.
Specimens Examined: Satara District, Mahabaleshwar, Lodwick point, 73.1906; Gureghar, 13.8.1973, P.G. Patwardhan, 73.204.
Bacidia sp. 3 [Fig.: 119]
Thallus crustose, corticolous, greenish-brown, rough, finely granular, not cracked, thin, glossy, nonisidiate, nonsorediate, epiphloeodal, 41-50 ^m thick; algal layer continuous; hypothallus black. Apothecia orangish-brown to brown, adnate, slightly constricted, solitary, 0.2-1 mm in diam.; disc light orangish-brown, smooth, epruinose; exciple orangish to sometimes brown, in section hyaline to yellowish, prosoplectenchymatous; epihymenium light yellowish-brown, 4.2-8.4 [im thick, K+ violet; hymenium hyaline, 71-84 ^m tall, KI+ blue; subhymenium pale yellow, 38-63 ^m thick; hypothecium pale yellow, 30-35 |am thick; paraphyses simple to sparsely branched, septate; asci 8-sporate, cylindrical, round, 67-80 x 8.4-12.6 ^m, KI+ blue. Ascospores hyaline, bacillar, straight, 6-15-transseptate, 29-38 x 3-4.2 [im.
49 Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: The specimens were collected in moist, open deciduous forests.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: This species of Bacidia can be compared to Bacidia alutacea (Kremp.) Zahlbr. but differs on the type of ascospores. The ascospores in B. alutacea are distinctly acicular while they are bacillar in the present species.
Since I have not studied many species of Bacidia known from the world and also the material at hand being scanty, this has been described as an unnamed species.
Specimens Examined: Raigad District, Warandha Ghat, 4.12.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.1981, 74.1982.
Genus: Biatorella De Not. (Acarosporaceae) G.Bot. /7a/. 2(1.1): 192(1846).
The genus Biatorella Th. Fr. is characterized by: thallus crustose, corticolous, prothallus present. Photobiont a green alga. Apothecia round, innate, sessile or shortly stalked, biatorine, brightly coloured or brownish, exciple colourless or coloured. Paraphyses simple or branched in the epithecial region. Asci clavate, bitunicate, multispored, tholus well developed. Ascospores colourless, simple, globular to ellipsoidal, thin walled. Pycnoconidia oval to short-cylindrical.
Biatorella is a widely spread genus with about 30 species at the world level (Kirk et al, 2001). Biatorella conspersa (Fee) Vain, is the only species known from the Indian subcontinent. This species was earlier recorded from Manipur, (Awasthi, 1991, 2000) and is now being recorded for the first time from Maharashtra.
Biatorella conspersa (Fee) Vain. [Figs. :59, 60, 61, & 120] Etud Lick Bresil, 2: 62 (1890).
50 =Lecidea compersa Fee Essai Cryptog. Ecorc. Officin., 108 (1824).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, brownish-yellow, rough, verrucose, cracked, 15-30 |jm; isidia soredid, brownish-yellow, short, coralloid, 10-15 ^m tall; hypothallus distinctly black. Apothecia orange-brown, biatorine, abundant, flat to convex, adnate, to slightly constricted at the base, round, or irregular, 0.2-0.5 (-1) mm in diam.; disc orange- brown, flat, convex to subglobose, grayish-white, pruinose; exciple dark yellowish- brown, with hyphal outgrowths at some places; epihymenium brownish, formed by the branched paraphyses tips, 15-35 |im thick; hymenium hyaline, rarely yellowish-brown, 60-75 |im tall, KI+ blue; paraphyses simple to sparingly branched in the epihymenial region; subhymeniimi yellowish, 30-35 ^m thick; hypothecium dark brown to reddish- brown to black, 90-120 \iva. thick; asci more than 100-sporate, bitunicate, long, cylindrical, 42-60 x 12-18 |am, KI+ blue. Ascospores hyaline, simple, roimd, globose, 1- 2.5 i^m in diameter. Chemistry: Thallus K+ purple, KC-, C-, P+ slightly yellow; UV-; only parietin pigment is present.
Habitat: The specimen has been collected on a tree, close to the dam area where the moisture content was adequate.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra and Manipur), Australia, Nepal and USA.
Remarks: Biatorella conspersa is distinguished by the yellowish-brown, verrucose, isidiate thallus and presence of parietin pigment in the thallus.
From India, this species was earlier reported only from Manipur and is now being recorded for the first time from Maharashtra and the western ghats.
Specimen Examined: Pune District, Lonavala, Near Walwan Dam, 16.9.2002, G.S. Chitale «& U.V. Makhija, 02.119.
51 Genus: Brigantiaea Trevis. (Brigantiaeaceae) Riv. Period. Lav. Accad. Sci. Lett. Arti. Padova, 1(3): 249 (1853).
The lichen genus Brigantiaea Trevis. is characterized by: thallus crustose, smooth, granular to subverrucose or verrucose, whitish-gray to gray, usually limited by a brown- black hypothallus. Apothecia sessile, constricted at base, orange fiilvus-brown to brown- black; margin prominent, paler than the disc; exciple biatorine (rarely lecideine), K+ violet-blue (antraquinone present); epihymenium usually with granular incrustations, K + violet; hymenium hyaline. Asci without an external apical cap but with thick, 1+ blue staining external wall layer, inner apical apparatus present and inner wall layers amyloid 1+ blue, (Brigantiaea-type) usually 1-sporate, bitunicate. Ascospores hyaline, multicelled, muriform; paraphyses simple, rarely branched, compact or discrete.
The genus Brigantiaea is widely spread with about 15 species known at the world level (Hafellner, 1997; Kirk et al, 2001). Recently one more species namely Brigantiaea subobscurata (Vain.) Aptroot has been recorded from Brazil (Aptroot, 2002).
Four species of Brigantiaea namely B. ionoexcipula (Patw. & Makhija) D.D. Awasthi & Srivast., B. leucoxantha (Spreng.) R. Sant & Hafellner, B. nigra D. D. Awasthi & Srivast., and B. pulchra (Miill. Arg.) Hafellner, have so far been reported from the Indian subcontinent (Awasthi, 1991, 2000; Awasthi & Srivastava, 1989). In the present studies one species of this genus has been described from Maharashtra which is new to science.
Brigantiaea patwardhanii sp. nov. [Figs.: 62,63 & 121]
Type: India, Maharashtra, Sindhudurg District, Amboli, 8.12.1974, P.G. Patwardhan & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.2382 (Holotype-AMH)!.
Thallus crustose, corticolous, greenish-gray, more or less unevenly thickened, cracked with age, without vegetative diaspores, nonisidiate, nonsorediate; hypothallus thin, black. Apothecia black, sessile to basally constricted, juvenile apothecia have
52 concave disc and prominent margin, solitary, round, 0.5-1.8 mm in diam., K+ violet; disc always black, plane to convex, epruinose; margin orange to rust red to black (at maturity); exciple biatorine, marginal part of the exciple with radially arranged hyphae, rarely brownish pigments in medullary part, K+ bluish-violet, with pinkish patches; epihymenium part, K+ pink; hymenium hyaline, 130-155 [im tall, K-, 1+ blue; paraphyses simple, sparingly branched at tips; hypothecium hyaline, 68-79 |im thick, K-; asci 1- sporate, cylindrical, clavate, 76-124 x 21-40 ^m. Ascospores hyaline, yellowish-brown at maturity, muriform, oval, ellipsoidal, 76-104 x 21-38 ^m. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC+ yellow, P+ yellow; UV-; atranorin.
Habitat: The species has been collected in semi-evergreen forest on road side and found to be associated with members of Graphidaceae and Thelotremataceae.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: Brigantiaea patwardhanii is distinguished by grayish-white thallus, lacking vegetative diaspores; apothecia black, K+ violet; margin of apothecia orange to rust red to black (at maturity); exciple biatorine, K+ blue violet with pink purple patches in the medullary part and hypothecium hyaline, K-, and ascospores of 76-104 x 21-38 ^im size.
The apothecia of most Brigantiaea species are widely coloured due to dense impregnation of antraquinone crystals. Only in B. ionoexcipula (Patw. & Makhija) D. D. Awasthi, the apothecia are always completely black, with quinonoid substances visible only in sections. (Hafellner, 1997) Thus the new species B. patwardhanii comes somewhat close to B. ionoexcipula with respect to the characters of black apothecia which, however, differs in having leciedine apothecia, black exciple and greenish-black hypothecium.
Thus the new species stands distinct amongst all known species of Brigantiaea. This species was described as unnamed species of Lopadium (Patwardhan & Makhija, 1981b), the species has been named B. patwardhanii after Dr. Patwardhan who has passed away recently and dedicated to him for his contributions to the lichenology.
53 Genus: Buellia De Not (Physciaceae) Giom. Bot. Ital. Anno II, part I, tome, 1: 195. (1846).
The lichen genus Buellia De Not is characterized by: thallus crustose, continuous, rimose-areolate, granulose or verrucose, hypothallus as black or brownish line or rarely absent; cortex not well differentiated; photobiont a green alga Trebouxia; apothecia immersed, adnate or sessile; margins prominent or indistinct; disc black, plane to convex, epruinose, or rarely pruinose; exciple dark brown on outer side and pale brown or colourless on inner side or completely pallid; hymenium colourless, 1+ blue; paraphyses simple to branched, apically swollen and brown; hypothecium colourless to pale brown; internal stipe distinct or indistinct, pallid, reddish-brown or dark brown; asci 8-spored or occasionally 12-16-spored, bitunicate; ascospores brown, transversely 2-celled, ellipsoidal, straight or curved, constricted at septum or not; spore wall uniformly or unevenly thickened; surface smooth or ornamented.
Buellia is a widely spread genus with about 400 species known at the world level (Kirk et al. 2001). The lichen genus Buellia from India has been studied in detail by Singh, S. R. and Awasthi (1981), and 48 species of this genus have been recorded from the Indian subcontinent (Awasthi, 2000). Only three species namely Buellia disciformis (Fr.) Mudd, Buellia disjecta Zahlbr., and Buellia flavella Mull. Arg. were so far been recorded (Awasthi, 1991) from Maharashtra. During the course of present studies on lichens from Maharashtra, 11 species of Buellia have been recorded from this region.
Buellia glaziouana (Kremp.) Mull. Arg. has been recorded for the first time from India. Two species namely Buellia panchganiensis and Buellia tabularis have been described as new.
Key to the species oi Buellia from Maharashtra
la. Thallus corticolous 2 1 b. Thallus saxicolous 5
54 2a. Asci 8-spored 3 2b. Asci 8-16-spored 4 3a. Thallus grayish-green, vemiculose, areolate; apothecia black, 0.2-1 mm in diam.; exciple outer and inner exciple brown to black; hypothecium dark brown to black; internal stipe brownish-black; ascospores ornamented, verrucose, constricted at the septum, thin gelatinous sheath present, 12-15 x 6-7; atranorin, norstictic, and salazinic acids present B. tincta
3b. Thallus greenish, verrucose; apothecia black, 0.3-0.75 diam.; exciple brownish on outer and pallid on inner side; hypothecium and inner stipe dark brown; ascospores without ornamentation, 4.2-19 x 4.2-8.4 \xm\ atranorin and norstictic acids present Buellia sp.
4a. Thallus K+ yellow, light greenish-yellow, granular to minutely verrucose; apothecia 0.2-0.5 mm in diam., adnate; disc plane to convex; exciple brownish on outer and pallid on inner side; internal stipe reddish-brown; ascospores ornamented on surface, 9-14 x 4-6 ^m B.flavella
4b. Thallus K+ yellow, light greenish-yellow, granular to minutely verrucose; apothecia 0.1-0.5 mm in diam., adnate; exciple blackish brown on outer and pallid on inner side; internal stipe reddish-brown; ascospores not ornamented on svirface, with a distinct gelatinous sheath, 8-16 x 4-6 |am; atranorin present B. cf. flavella
5a. Thallus UV + Thallus whitish-yellow, areolate; apothecia minute, 0.15-0.6 mm in diam., disc black; exciple pallid, sometimes dark brown on the outer side; internal stipe dark reddish- brown; ascospores ornamented on the surface, with a gelatinous sheath, 9-16 (-21) x 4-8 |am; atranorin, dichloroxanthone, norstictic, and stictic acids present. B. tabularis
5b. Thallus UV- 6
6a. Hypothecium and internal stipe colourless Thallus sublobulate at the margin; apothecia minute, 0.6 mm in diam., constricted at the base; disc black, epruinose; exciple brown to dark brown; hymenium not inspersed with oil globules; ascospores 13-18 (-21) x 6-8 |am B. disjecta
6b. Hypothecium and internal stipe brown to red-brown 7
7a. Medulla of thallus K+ 8
7b. Medulla of thallus K- 9
55 8a. Thallus gray to sometimes whitish, smooth to rough, flaking, areolate; apothecia brownish, 0.1-1 mm in diam.; exciple pallid; ascospores brown, ellipsoidal, 1- septate, Physcia type, constricted at the septum, uniformly thick walled, smooth, IS IS x 6-12 |im; atranorin only present B. palniensis
8b. Thallus dirty yellow, to grayish-brown; apothecia blackish, 0.25-0.9 mm in diam.; exciple pallid, brown at the outer side to brown; ascospores with thin and uniformly thickened, ornamented wall, 8-14 x 4-7 ^tm; atranorin, norstictic and salazinic acids present B. panchganiensis
9a. Ascospores verrucose Thallus greenish-gray, areolate; apothecia black, 0.2-0.5 mm in diam.; exciple pseudoparaplectenchymatous, HNO3+ purple; ascospores constricted at the septum, verrucose, uniformly thick walled, 15-18 x 6-12 ^m; no lichen substances present B. indica
9b. Ascospores smooth 10
10a. Thallus yellowish, rough, granular, areolate, K+ yellow, clear out solution; apothecia 0.25-1.5 mm in diam., immersed, to emergent; epruinose; hypothecium and stipe confluent, brown; exciple pallid, brown outside, stipe poorly developed; ascospores with uniformly thickened wall, 13-23 x 4-8 |im; atranorin present.... B. glaziouana
10b. Thallus crustose to squamulose, olivaceous green; apothecia greenish to black, up to 1 mm in diam.; proper margin indistinct, disc flat or convex, 0.7-0.9 mm in diam.; ascospores with uniformly thickened wall, 19-25 x 5-9 ^im B. leptocline
Buellia disjecta Zahlbr. apud Hand, Mazz. Symbol. Sink, Pars, 3: 223 (1930).
Remarks: Buellia disjecta was recorded by Schubert and Klement from Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra (Schubert and Klement, 1966). Neither we have seen specimens on which the record of this species is based, nor we have any specimen in our collection to match this species. The characters in above key have been taken from the key to microlichens of India, Nepal and Sri Lanka (Awasthi, 1991). Distribution: India (Maharashtra), China.
56 Buelliaflavella Mull. Arg. Hedwigia, 32: 130(1893).
Type: India, Bombay, on bark of tree. I.C. Hobson s.n. Lectotype- BM (designated by Singh S.R. and Awasthi, 1981) not seen.
Thallus crustose, corticolous, light greenish-yellow, farinose to granular- verruculose, continuous to irregularly cracked; hypothallus not seen. Apothecia 0.2-0.4 (-0.5) mm wide, innate to adnate; margin very thin; disc plane to convex, epuinose; exciple brownish on outer and pallid on inner side, 9-18 |am thick; epihymenium brown; hymenium 54-63 nm high, not inspersed with oil globules; internal stipe dark reddish- brown, K-; asci 8-16 sporate, bitunicate. Ascospores brown, 1-septate, 9-14 x 4-6 ^m, ascospore wall ± uniform in thickness and surface ornamented. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow; C+ red, P-; UV-; TLC could not be done due to small size of specimen (Description from Singh & Awasthi, 1981).
Habitat: This species was reported from the humid area.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra), Malacca.
Remarks: Buelliaflavella was reported to be closely related to B.flavelloides Singh & D. D. Awasthi, which is distinguished by 8 spored asci, non verruculose and smooth thallus. The species is known by its type from Maharashtra, and was re-examined and described in detail by Singh, S.R. «& Awasthi (1981).
Buellia cf. flavella Mull. Arg. [Fig.: 122] Hedwigia, 32: 130(1893).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, light greenish-yellow, farinose to granular- verruculose, continuous to irregularly cracked; hypothallus absent. Apothecia 0.2-0.5
57 mm wide, innate to adnate; margin very thin; disc black, plane to convex, epruinose, adnate, one or two in a group; exciple brown; epihymenium brown, 4-9.5 ^m thick, K-; hymenium 56-88 |xm tall, not inspersed with oil globules, 1+ blue; hypothecium brown 90-108 nm tall; exciple blackish-brown on outer side and pallid on inner side; internal stipe dark reddish-brown, K-; asci 8-16-sporate, bitunicate, clavate to cylindrical. Ascospores brown, 1-septate, with uniformly thickened, smooth wall, surrounded by a distinct gelatinous sheath, 8-16 x 4-6 f^m. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow (medulla), C-, KC-, P-; UV-; atranorin present.
Habitat: The present species was collected in moist deciduous forest of Khandala ghat, which gets heavy rains during the monsoon.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: The present species differs from the closely related Buellia flavella Miill. Arg. in having ascospores with smooth surface of the walls without ornamentation. It seems to be a new species but since the material is too scanty, this is not being described formally.
Specimen Examined: Pune District, Khandala, 14.7.1970, P. G. Patwardhan, 70.15.
Buellia glaziouana (Kremp.) Mull. Arg. [Figs.: 46 & 123] Flora, ey. 19(1880). = Lecidea glaziouana Kremp. F/ora,59:317(1876).
Thallus crustose, saxicolous, light yellow to yellowish-grey, rough, granular, cracked, areolate, 259-294 \xm thick; areoles 0.5-1.5 mm across; hypothallus absent; cortex hyaline, 21-29 ^m thick; medulla hyaline with polygonal crystals. Apothecia minute, immersed to emergent, not constricted at the base, lecideine, many, dispersed, mostly solitary, rarely in groups of 2-3 per areole, rounded to orbicular, not deformed at
58 maturity, adnate, 0.25-1.5 mm in diam.; disc black, dull, plane, convex, epruinose; margin moderately thick, black, cellular, 34-46 ^m; hymenium not inspersed, hyaline, 1+ blue, 50-59 |am tall; epihymenium brown, cellular, 16.8-37 \xm, thick K-; hypothecium and stipe confluent, brown, K-; the stipes often very poorly developed; exciple pallid but blackish brown at margin; hypothecium well marked, dark brovm, dense cellular, 55-67 ^m thick; paraphyses simple, unbranched, forming a brown epihymenium, apical cells enlarged and fusco-capitate; asci 8-sporate, bitunicate, clavate, cylindrical, pedicellate, 50-67 X 11-18 ^im. Ascospores brown, 1-septate, with thin and uniformly thickened wall, ellipsoid, 13-23 x 4-8 ^m. Chemistry: Thallus K+ clear yellow out solution, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; atranorin present.
Habitat: This is a common and variable lichen in the warmer regions of the western hemisphere.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra). Wide distribution in South America, North America, Central America and the West Indies.
Remarks: With a wide distribution in the world, Buellia glaziouana, has been reported for the first time from India.
Specimens Examined: Satara District, Gureghar, near Panchgani, 21.6.1973, M. B. Nagarkar, 73. 83. Pune District, Vetal Hill, 30.8.1973, V. D.Vartak, 73.233.
Buellia indica S. Singh & D.D. Awasthi [Fig.: 124] Biol. Mem., 6(2): 186(1981).
Thallus crustose, saxicolous, greenish-gray, rough, areolate, cracked, nonsorediate, nonisidiate, 30-90 ^im thick; hypothallus indistinct. Apothecia black, round, adnate to sessile, semi-emergent, abundant, solitary, 0.2-0.5 mm in diam.; disc black, glossy, flat, epruinose; exciple lecideine, concolorous with the disc, K-, HNO3+ purple, cellular; epihymenium reddish-brown, granular, 9-15 ^m thick; hymenium
59 hyaline, not inspersed with oil globules and crystals, 60-75 ^im tall, KI+ blue; paraphyses simple, tips brown capitate; subhymenium light brownish, 12-51 ^m thick; hypothecium dark brownish-black, 30-45 urn thick, K-; internal stipe dark brown to red brown; asci 8- sporate, bitunicate, cylindrical, KI+ blue;. Ascospores dark brown, oblong, ellipsoidal, 1- septate, constricted at the septum, verrucose, uniformly thick walled, 15-18 x 6-12 |im, KI-. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow; medulla K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: Collected at a higher elevation in rain prone areas on the basaltic rock.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra, Manipur and Tamil Nadu).
Remarks: Buellia indica appears to be a rare species in Maharashtra. A single specimen was found to be associated with Caloplaca vitellinula (Nyl.) Oliver. This is the first record of this species from Maharashtra.
Specimen Examined: Pune District, Sinhagad fort, 4.7.2003, N. Verma & G.S. Chitale, 03.27.
Buellia leptocline (Fw.) Korb. Syst. Lick, German., 225 (1855). = Lecidea leptocline Fw. Bot. ZezYwwg, 8:555(1850).
Thallus crustose (squamulose), saxicolous, determinate, olivaceous green, 5-6 cm in size. Apothecia superficial, dirty green to black, round to hemispherical, lecideine, sessile; exciple indistinct; disc flat or convex, 0.7-0.9 mm in diam.; epihymenium dark brovm; hymenium pale yellow, 72-80 |im tall; hypothecium dark brown, 64-96 i^m tall; asci 8-sporate, bitunicate, pedicellate, clavate, 93-97 x 14-18 |im. Ascospores brown, 1- septate, ellipsoid, uni or biseriate, mostly biseriate, with uniformly thickened wall, 19-25 X 5-9 |im.
60 Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P+ dark yellow: UV-;
Habitat: This species was found on the open rocks on the hill top
Distribution: India (Bengal and Maharashtra) Europe, Asia.
Specimen Examined: Pune District, Fergusson College hill, 71.270.
Buellia palniensis S. Singh & D.D. Awasthi [Fig.: 125] Biol. Mem., 6(2): 188(1981).
Thallus crustose, saxicolous, gray to sometimes whitish, dull, smooth to rough, flaking, areolate, nonsorediate, nonisidiate, 69-90 |im thick; hypothallus indistinct. Apothecia brownish, round to irregular, adnate to sessile, abundant, solitary, 0.1-1 mm in diam.; disc light orange to brown, flat, epruinose; exciple concolorous with the thallus in young apothecia and indistinct in older, dark brown, leciedine pseudoparaplectenchymatous, K-, HNO3-; epihymenium dark brown to black, 15-21 |im thick; hymenium hyaline to light brown, not inspersed, 60-75 ^im thick, KI + blue; paraphyses simple, brown, capitate; subhymenium light brownish, 15-30 ^m thick; hypothecium dark brownish, 84-90 ^m thick, K-; internal stipe brown, K-, HNO3-; asci 8-sporate, bitunicate, long, cylindrical, 42-45 x 10-12 |im, KI + blue. Ascospores brown, ellipsoidal, 1-septate, Physcia type, constricted at the septum, uniformly thick walled, smooth, 15-18x6-12 ^m. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow; medulla K+ yellow, I-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; atranorin present.
Habitat: Collected at a higher elevation about 1000 m in the rain prone areas on the basaltic rock, in the deciduous forests.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu).
Remarks: The specimens at hand are identical with respect to all characters of Buellia palniensis except the purple colour reaction of the exciple to HNO3.
61 -"-:'• *''i\ (. Specimens Examined: Pune District, Sinhagad fort, 4.7.2003, A.V. Dube & N. Veraia, 03.67, 03.69.
Buellia panchganiensis Makhija & Dube [Figs.: 5,47 «& 126] J. Econ. Tax. Bot. (in press)
Type: India, Maharashtra, Satara District, Panchgani, Table Land, 14.5.1998, U. V. Makhija, 98.1 (Holotype-AMH).
Thallus crustose, saxicolous, dirty yellow, grayish-brown, smooth, cracked, areolate, 55-101 \im thick; areoles 0.3-0.8 mm across; hypothallus black. Apothecia minute, immersed to emergent, not constricted at the base, lecideine, many, dispersed, mostly solitary, rounded, not deformed at maturity, adnate, 0.25-0.9 mm in diam.; disc black, dull, plane, rarely convex, epruinose; margin moderately thick, black; hymenium hyaline, 1+ blue, 49.5-63 ^m tall; epihymenium blackish-brown, 12.6-16.8 ^im thick, K-, HNO3; hypothecium and stipe confluent, brown, K-; hypothecium well marked, dark brown, dense cellular, 55-126 |im thick; exciple thin, pallid, blackish-brown on outer side to brown; paraphyses simple, unbranched, forming a brown epihymenium, apical cells enlarged and fusco-capitate; asci 8-sporate, bitunicate, clavate, cylindrical, pedicellate, 42-56 X 11-18 |am. Ascospores brown, 1-septate, with thin and unifomly thickened wall with ornamented surface, ellipsoid, ends mostly rounded, 8-14 x 4-7 (xm. Chemistry: Thallus K+ red, C-, KC-, P+ orange to red; UV-; atranorin, norstictic, and salazinic acids present.
Habitat: In Maharashtra it was collected in an area of heavy rains.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: Buellia panchganiensis differs from the closely related Buellia stigmea Tuck, in having ascospores with surface ornamented and has salazinic acid in addition to atranorin and norstictic acids in its thallus.
62 Specimens Examined: Satara District, Panchgani, Table Land, 14.5.1998, U. V. Makhija 98.1; Panchgani, 21.1.2004, G.S. Chitale, 04.22, 04.25, 04.31, 04.32; Table Land, 21.1.2004, B. A. Adawadkar, 04.49.
Buellia tabularis Makhija & Dube [Figs.: 6 & 127] J. Econ. Tax. Bot. (in press)
Type: India, Maharashtra, Satara District, Panchagani, Table land, 4.8.1981, U.V. Makhija, 98.2 (Holotype-AMH).
Thallus crustose, saxicolous, whitish-yellow, cracked, areolate 121-168 \xm thick; areoles 0.3-8 mm across; hypothallus black. Apothecia minute, lecideine, many, dispersed, mostly solitary, rarely in groups of 2-3 per areole, rounded, not deformed at maturity, immersed, adnate 0.15-0.6 mm in diam.; disc black, plane, epruinose; exciple, indistinct, thin, pallid, brown at the margin; internal stipe brown; hymenium hyaline, 1+ blue, 59-70 ^m tall; epihymenium brown, cellular, 17-21 ^m thick K-; hypothecium and stipe confluent, brown, K-; hypothecium well marked, dark brown, dense cellular; paraphyses simple, unbranched, forming a brown epihymenium, apical cells enlarged and fusco-capitate; asci 8-sporate, bitunicate, clavate, cylindrical, pedicellate. Ascospores brown, 1 -septate, with a gelatinous sheath, with thin and uniformly thickened wall with ornamented surface, 9-16 (-21) x 4-8 |im. Chemistry: Thallus K+ red, C-, KC-, P+ yellow to orange; UV+ sordid red; atranorin, dichloroxanthone, norstictic, and stictic acids present.
Habitat: The present species is found on the rocks in open places in an area getting heavy rains during monsoon.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: Buellia tabularis differs from the closely related Buellia quartziana Singh & D. D. Awasthi in having medulla 1+ blue, ascospores with ornamented surface, internal
63 stipe brown and having atranorin, dichloroxanthone, norstictic and stictic acids in its thallus. Buellia quartziana, has only norstictic and dichloroxanthone in its thallus.
Specimens Examined: Satara District, Panchagani, Table land, 4.8.1981, D.W. Rane, 81.300; 14.5.1998, U.V. Makhija, 98.2; 21.1.2004, G.S. Chitale, 04.34, 04.28, 04.29.
Buellia tincta H. Magn. [Fig. :128] Arkf.Bot., 32A (2): 44. (1945).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, grayish-green, rough, verruculose, areolate, deeply cracked, nonsorediate, nonisidiate; hypothallus black to indistinct. Apothecia black, round, adnate to sessile, solitary or in groups of two, 0.2-0.8 (-1) mm in diam.; disc black, glossy, flat, concave or convex, epruinose; exciple blackish-brovm; epihymenium brown, granular, 9-12 |im thick; hymenium hyaline to light brown, not inspersed with oil globules, 45-54 |.im thick, KI+ blue; paraphyses simple to slightly branched; subhymenium light brownish, 15-21 \\.m thick; hypothecium dark brown to black, semicircular, 90-99 nm thick; internal stipe brownish-black, HNO3-, K-; asci 8-sporate, bitunicate, cylindrical, KI+ blue. Ascospores dark brovra, oblong, ellipsoidal, 1-septate, constricted at the septum, thick walled, verrucose, small gelatinous sheath, 12-15 x 6-7 ^m KI-. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow to red; medulla 1+ blue, C-, KC-, P+ yellow; UV-; norstictic, salazinic and atranorin.
Habitat: Collected at a higher elevation in the deciduous forests.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra, N.W. Himalayas and Siwalik hills), Hawaii Islands.
Remarks: Buellia tincta is being reported for the first time from Maharashtra.
Specimen Examined: Pune District, Purandar fort, 27.10.1993, U.V. Makhija 8c P.O. Patwardhan, 93.22a.
64 Buellia sp. [Fig.: 129]
Thallus crustose, corticolous, closely adnate to the substratum, greenish, verrucose, thick with medulla K+ orange. Apothecia black, adnate to emergent, 1 or two in a group, round to hemispherical lecideine, with indistinct margin, disc convex to flat, 0.3-0.75 mm in diam; exciple brownish on outer and pallid on inner side; epihymenium brown, 13-16.8 |im tall; hymenium pale yellow, 54-90 |jm tall, 1+ blue; hypothecium brown, 56-118 |am tall: inner stipe dark brown K+ red; asci 8-sporate, bitunicate, clavate, 45-63 X 7-9 urn. Ascospores brown, 1-septate, with uniformly thickened wall, without ornamentation, ellipsoid, uniseriate or biseriate, mostly biseriate; 4.2-18.9 x 4.2-8.4 |am. Chemsitry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC- yellow, P-, UV-; atranorin and norstictic acids present.
Habitat: Found in association with Caloplaca ferruginea (Huds.) Th. Fr.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: The present species is closely related to Buellia morehensis Singh & Singh, which, however, has ascospores with ornamented surface and also has oil globules in the hymenium and has salazinic acid. The present species was previously reported (Patwardhan and Badhe, 1972) as Buellia disciformis (Fr.) Mudd, which, however, does not have norstictic acid in its thallus. It seems to be a new species but the material is too scanty to be described as new.
Specimen Examined: Mumbai District, Colaba, Kolgaon-Saswane, 1.2.1972, P.D. Badhe, 72.2.
Genus: Caloplaca Th. Fr. (Teloschistaceae) Lich. Arct., 118 (1860). nom. cons.
The lichen genus Caloplaca Th. Fr. is characterized by: thallus crustose, squamulose, placodiod or crustose-effigurate at margins, yellowish-orange, red, brown-red to
65 blackened, K+ purple or K-, saxicolous, terricolous, muscicolous, lignicolous or corticolous. Photobiont a green alga {Trebouxia). Apothecia lecanorine or biatorine, round, orange, orange-red, rust-brown to black, hypothecium usually colourless. Paraphyses simple, septate, capitate. Asci 8-spored, bitunicate. Ascospores colourless, thick walled, polarilocular or rarely 3-loculed. Pycnoconidia short or long.
Caloplaca is a cosmopolitan genus, comprising about 350 species in the world (Kirk et al., 2001). The genus is known by as many as HI species from the Indian subcontinent (Awasthi, 2000). C. citrina (Hoffm.) Th. Fr., and C. ferruginea (Huds.) Th. Fr., (Awasthi, 1991; Patwardhan & Badhe, 1972), are the only two species which have earlier been reported from Maharashtra. In the present studies nine species have been recorded from Maharashtra, of which seven species are new records to Maharashtra and three species namely C. herbidella (Nyl. ex Hue) H. Magn., C inconspecta Amp and C. pollinii (A. Massal.) Jatta, have been recorded for the first time from India.
Key to the species of Caloplaca from Maharashtra
1 a.Thallus saxicolous 2
Ib.Thallus corticolous 5
2a. Thallus sorediate Thallus pale yellow to yellowish-orange, areolate, granular-leprose or powdery, K+ purple; apothecia 0.2-0.8 (-1mm) in diam., sessile; margin sorediate; ascospores 10- 13 X 5-6 (-8 |im) C citrina
2b. Thallus nonsorediate 3
3 a. Atranorin present Thallus grayish-yellow; apothecia yellow, adnate, 0.1-0.5 mm in diam.; exciple yellow, C-; epihymenium hyaline, K-; ascospores 9-12 x 6-7 |im, with a thin, isthamus C. vitellinula
3b. Atranorin absent 4
4a. Thallus yellowish-orange; apothecia orange 0.2-0.4 mm in diam.; exciple yellow, C+ reddish; epihymenium light brown, granular, K+ red; ascospores 6-12 x 3-6 ^m, isthamus indistinct; 2 unidentified substances present C. inconspecta
66 4b.Thallus darker shade of orange; apothecia orange, 0.2-0.5 mm in diam.; exciple yellow C-; epihymenium hyaline to slightly brownish, (yellowish-orange) K+ reddish-purple; ascospores 9-11 x 3-5 \im, with a thin isthamus; norstictic acid and 2 unidentified substances present Caloplaca sp. 1
5a. Thallus isidiate Thallus yellow to rust coloured; isidia concolorous with the thallus, short, globular, clavate, coralloid, K+ purple; apothecia orange, 0.5-1 mm in diam.; exciple yellow, sometimes isidiate, C+ red; ascospores 12-15 x 3-6 |am with 1.5 ^im thick isthamus; an unidentified substance present C. herbidella
5b. Thallus not isidiate.
6a. Apothecial disc orange to yellowish-orange Thallus yellowish-white to greenish-yellow, rough; apothecia yellowish-orange, 0.2-1 mm in diam.; disc yellowish-orange, K+ red, C+ orange-red; exciple yellowish-white, distinct, outer part of exciple K+ purple; ascospores 15-21 x 9-12 ^m, with a distinct 1.5 ^m thick isthamus; terpenoids present C. flavorubescens
6b. Apothecial disc brown to dark blackish-brown 7
7a. Parathecium with radiating hyphae Thallus greenish to gray, smooth, K-; apothecia brownish-black, 0.5-1.2 mm in diam.; disc brownish-black; exciple black in section hyaline, C-; epihymenium hyaline to light yellowish-brown, K+ purple; ascospores 10.5-17 x 3.5-7 i^m with isthamus 1.5 |am thick, KH- light blue; no lichen substances present C. pollinii
7b. Parathecium without radiating hyphae 8
8a. Thallus greenish-gray to olivaceous green, K+ deep yellow; apothecia brown, 0.6- 0.7 mm in diam.; disc brown; ascospores oblong to subglobose, mostly biseriate, 10- 14x 7-9 |am C.ferruginea
8b. Thallus greenish, areolate, verruculose, K+ magenta-purple; apothecia dark brown to black, 0.1-0.5 mm in diam.; disc reddish to dark brown; ascospores 8-18 x 3-9 i^m, C. cerina
Caloplaca cerina (Ehrht. ex Hedw.) Th. Fr. [Fig. :130] Nova Acta Reg. Soc. Sci. Upsai, ser. 3, 3: 218 (1861). = Lichen cerinus Ehrht. apud Hoffm. Descript. et Adumbrat. Plant. Lick, 2: 62 (1789).
67 Thallus crustose, corticolous, greenish, smooth to cracked, areolate, verruculose, nonisidiate, nonsorediate, 60-90 |im thick; hypothallus blackish. Apothecia dark brown to black, round to oval, adnate to sessile, solitary, abundant, 0.1-0.5 mm in diam.; disc reddish or slightly dark brown, flat to convex, glossy, epruinose; exciple grayish, lecanorine moderately thick, algal cells present in the lower part; parathecium without radiating hyphae; epihymenium light brown, K+ violet; hymenium yellowish to brown, 60-75 |xm tall; paraphyses profusely branched, thin, septate, forked at the apices; subhymenium yellowish to light brown, 15-21 ^m thick; hypothecium hyaline to light browTi, 75-90 nm thick; asci 8-sporate, bitunicate, elongate, 35-70 x 7-15 nm, tholus K1+ blue, K+ purple. Ascospores hyaline, bipolarilocular, 8-18 x 3-9 |im, with a 1.5-1.6 \im thick isthamus. Chemistry: Thallus K+ magenta-purple, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; terpenoids present.
Habitat: The species has been collected in open places in moist deciduous forest.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra, Manipur and N.W. Himalayas), Australia and New Zealand
Remarks: According to Brodo et al. (2001) Caloplaca cerina (Ehrh. ex. Hedw.) Th. Fr. is sometimes knovra to have a pruinose disc and apothecia measuring up to 2 mm in diameter and exciple may also be pruinose. But in the earlier record from India according to Awasthi (1991), the disc is epruinose. However, in specimens at hand apothecia are epruinose. The species is recorded for the first time fi-om Maharashtra.
Specimens Examined: Pune District, Lonavala, 29.8.2000, V.A. Mantri & K.R. Randive, 00.95a, 00.95b; Sinhagad fort, 16.8.2000, U.V. Makhija & K.R. Randive, 00.10b, 00.11.
Caloplaca citrina (Hoffm.) Th. Fr. Nova Acta Reg. Soc. Sci. Ups. ser., 3. 3: 218 (1861). = Verrucaria citrina Hoffm. Deutschl.Fl, 198(1796).
68 Thallus crustose, saxicolous, pale yellow to yellowish-orange, areolate, uniform, sorediate, granular-leprose or powdery, K+ purple. Apothecia 0.2-0.8 (-1mm) in diam., sessile; disc plane to convex, yellow to orange-yellow, margin disappearing, sorediate; hymenium 60-70 |im high. Ascospores 10-13 x 5-6 (-8) (im (Awasthi, 1991).
Distribution: India (Jammu & Kashmir and Maharashtra), Australia, Canada, New England, New Zealand, North America and Norway.
Remarks: Caloplaca citrina (Hoffm.) Th. Fr. was earlier reported by Schubert & Klement (1966) from Jammu & Kashmir and Maharashtra but it has not been recollected from Maharashtra.
Caloplaca ferruginea (Huds.) Th. Fr. Nova Acta Reg. Soc. Scient. Upsal, ser. 3, 3: 223 (1861). = Lichen ferrugineus Huds. Fl.Angl.,AAA{\162).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, greenish-gray to olivaceous green, smooth to slightly warty; determinate. Apothecia brown, lecanorine, indistinct proper margin; disc brown, convex to flat, 0.6-0.7 mm in diam.; hymenium pale yellow, 72-80 |4,m tall; hypothecium hyaline, 112-128 |am thick; asci 8-sporate, bitunicate, simple, hyaline, clavate, 54-63 x 16-18 fim. Ascospores oblong to subglobose, placodimorph, mostly biseriate, 10-14 x 7- 9 |im. Chemistry: Thallus K+ deep yellow, C-, KC- yellow colour of K, P+ yellow; UV-; not known.
Habitat: In dry deciduous forest.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh), Australia, New England, New Zealand, North America and Norway.
69 Remarks: Caloplaca ferruginea (Huds.) Th. Fr. was recorded earlier from Maharashtra [Mumbai District, Kolgaon-Saswane, 1972, P.G. Patwardhan & Badhe, no. 278 A- AMH] by Patwardhan & Badhe (1972) and the description has been taken from this earlier record. The specimen, however, was not traceable and available for my studies.
Caloplaca Jlavorubescens (Huds.) Laundon [Figs.: 64 & 131] Lichenologist, 8: 147 (1976). = Lichen jlavorubescens Huds. Fl. Angl, AA2> (\161).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, yellowish-white to greenish-yellow, very small patches seen on the bark, cracked, rough, epiphloeodal, nonsorediate, nonisidiate, 45-60 fim thick; hypothallus distinctly black. Apothecia yellowish-orange, emergent, round to rarely irregular in shape, abundant, solitary to sometimes in groups of 2-4, 0.2-1 mm in diam.; disc yellowish-orange, flat to concave, K+ red, C+ orange-red, epruinose; exciple yellowish-white, distinct, lecanorine, some traces of algae in the lower part, outer part of exciple K+ purple; epihymenium indistinct, K+ purple; hymenium hyaline, 110-120 fim tall, KI+ blue; paraphyses simple, branched or forked at tips, capitate; subhymenium indistinct; hypothecium hyaline to brownish, slightly protruding downwards; asci 8- sporate, bitunicate, cylindrical, tholus KI+ blue. Ascospores hyaline, bipolarilocular, 15- 21 X 9-12 fim, with a distinct 1.5 ^im thick isthamus. Chemistry: Thallus K+ reddish, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; terpenoids present.
Habitat: This species is generally found in evergreen forests. It has been collected in moist deciduous forest in Maharashtra.
Distribution: India (Himalayas, Maharashtra, Manipur and Nagaland, West Bengal), Australia, Hawaii and North America. Widely distributed in temperate and tropical regions of the world.
70 Remarks: Caloplaca flavorubescens has been recorded for the first time from Maharashtra and is distinguished by corticolous, smooth thallus, orangish-yellow to brownish-orange apothecia, and hypothecium protruded downwards.
In India it occurs at the higher altitudes in Himalayas, Manipur, Nagaland, and in Maharashtra, the species has been collected from Kalsubai (elevation of 1646 m) and Durgwadi (altitude of 1200 m).
Specimens Examined: Nasik District, Kalsubai, 25.9.2002, U.V. Makhija & G.S. Chitale, 02.167. Pune District, Durgwadi, 2.9.2003, U.V. Makhija & N. Verma, 03.315, 03.460; Tamhini Ghat, 7.10.2003, B.C. Behera & N. Verma, 03.429; Dongarwadi, 19.9.2000, U.V. Makhija & V.A. Mantri, 00.128. Satara District, Panchgani, 3.2.2006, G.S. Chitale, 06.208, 06.209.
Caloplaca herbidella (Nyl. ex Hue) H. Magn. [Fig.: 132] 5o/.iVo//5., 430(1932). =Lecidea caesiorufa f 3 herbidella Nyl. ex. Hue Nouv. Arch. Mus., ser. 5, 3: 151 (1911).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, luteolus-yellow to rusty, cracked, rough, 69-75 \im thick, isidiate; isidia concolorous with the thallus, short, small, globular, clavate, coralloid, clavate, K+ purple, nonsorediate; hypothallus black. Apothecia orange- blackish-brown, round to oval-oblong, adnate to subsessile, solitary or 2-3 in a group, 0.5-1 mm in diam.; disc orange to blackish-brown, flat to slightly concave, epruinose, sometimes isidiate; exciple yellow, C+ red, lecanorine, sometimes isidiate, algal cells present in the lower margin; epihymenium granular, upto 3-6 \ixn thick, K-; hymenium hyaline to yellowish, 90-100 |im tall; paraphyses simple, branched at tips, with a larger apical cell; subhymenium hyaline, 30-35 \x.m thick; hypothecium hyaline, 60-65 |xm thick; asci 8-sporate, bitunicate, subglobose, 60-75 x 9-15 |im, KI+ blue. Ascospores hyaline, ellipsoid, bipolarilocular, 12-15 x 3-6 |im, with 1.5 |im thick isthamus.
71 Chemistry: Thallus K+ purple, C-, KC-, P-; C+ red (margin of apothecia), UV-; 1 unidentified substance indicated by yellow spot present at Rf 7 in TEF, same spot UV+ red, at 365 nm.
Habitat: The species has been collected in open moist deciduous forest and semi- evergreen forest. It was found to be associated with Leptogium species.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra) and Europe, North and Central America,
Remarks: The most important characters of Caloplaca herbidella, are it rarely has a thalline margin and has cylindrical to elongate, simple to coralloid isidia and commonly occurring pycnidia.
According to Wetmore (2004) the presence and abundance of algae in margins of the apothecia can vary within one species, but there are significant differences between species. Only one collection of C. herbidella was seen with some algae in the lower part of the margin. The specimens at hand agree with the European materials in having yellowish-orange coloured thallus and coralloid isidia and thalline margin. This species is recorded for the first time from India.
Specimens Examined: Kolhapur District, Panhala, 8.11.2004, B.C. Behera &. N. Verma, 04.435, 04.436; 13.10.1974, P.O. Patwardhan & C.R. Kulkami, 74.1153; 13.10.2000, U.V. Makhija & V.A. Mantri, 00.440. Pune District, Sinhagad, 16.8.2000, U.V. Makhija & K.R. Randive, 00.12. Ratnagiri District, Dabhole ghat-on the way from Ratnagiri to Kolhapur, 5.12.1974, M.B. Nagarkar & A.V. Prabhu, 74.2003. Satara District, Panchgani, 25.9.2001, B.A. Adawadkar, 01.65. Sindhudurg District, on the way to AmboH from Ajra, 10.10.2000, U.V. Makhija & K.R. Randive, 00.213; Ajra, 6.10.2004, U.V. Makhija & G.S. Chitale, 04.323.
Caloplaca inconspecta Arup [Figs.: 6 5, 66 & 133] Bryologist, 98(1): 102 (1995).
72 Thallus crustose, saxicolous, yellowish-orange, areolate, areoles small, cracked, thin, vermculose, scattered on the rock, discrete, effigurate, nonsorediate, nonisidiate, 75- 105 )jm thick; hypothallus indistinct. Apothecia orange, round, subsessile, slightly constricted at the base, solitary, 0.2-0.4 mm in diam.; disc luteous, flat, glossy, epruinose; exciple yellow, lighter than the disc, lecanorine, presence of algal cells in the lower part, C+ reddish; epihymenium light brown, granular, 6-12 [im thick, K+ red; hymenium hyaline to light brownish-yellow, inspersed with oil globules, 45-60 |am tall, KI+ blue; paraphyses simple, branched at tips, thick, partly septate, capitate; subhymenium light yellow, 30-45 \xm thick; hypothecium greenish, 90-105 |xm thick; asci 8-sporate, bitunicate, subglobose, 24-33 x 12-14 |am, tholus KI+ blue. Ascospores hyaline, bipolarilocular, 6-12 x 3-6 \xm, with an indistinct isthamus. Chemistry: Thallus K+ reddish, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; 2 unidentified substances indicated by yellow spots at Rf class 7 and 1 just above Rf class 4 in TEF (UV+ red).
Habitat: The species has been collected in the semi-evergreen forests in open places on the basaltic rocks.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra) and North America.
Remarks: Caloplaca inconspecta is comparable to C. flavogranulosa Arup in almost all characters except the esorediate thallus in C. inconspecta. According to Brodo et al. (2001), poorly developed specimens of C. flavogranulosa, in fact can be confused with C. inconspecta which has no prothallus and almost no thallus areoles and is never sorediate. This species is being recorded for the first time from India.
Specimens Examined: Kolhapur District, Panhala 9.9.1988, P.G. Patwardhan & M.B. Nagarkar, 88.101; 13.10.1974, P.G. Patwardhan 8c A.V. Prabhu, 74.1146; 13.10.2000, U.V. Makhija & B.C. Behera, 00.475; 8.11.2004, B.C. Behera & N. Verma, 04.434. Nasik District, Trimbakeshwar, Brahmagiri, 3.8.1974, M.B. Nagarkar & A.V. Prabhu, 74.247; 5.8.1974, M.B. Nagarkar & A.V. Prabhu, 74.123, 74.298, 74.300. Pune District, Malavali, Bhaja, 26.7.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.122; Purandar fort, P.G. Patwardhan, 1972, 72.147; Sinhagad fort, 16.8.2000, U.V. Makhija & B.A. Adawadkar,
73 00.10, 00.13; Mulshi Dam site, 7.10.2003, B.C. Behera & A. Sonone, 03.460; Durgwadi, 17.9.2004, U.V. Makhija, 04.153. Satara District, Gureghar, 21.6.1973, P.G. Patwardhan, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 73.50; P.G. Patwardhan, 73.155; Mahabaleshwar, Dhobi ghat, 9.3.1974, M.B. Nagarkar, 74.70; Panchgani, 4.8.1981, P.G. Patwardhan & M.B. Nagarkar, 81.289.
Caloplaca pollinii (A. Massal.) Jatta (Figs.: 40,67, 68 & 134] Syll.Lich.Ital..2AA{\90Q). = Blastenia pollinii A. Massal Attilstit. Veneto, ser2, 3: 111 (1853).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, greenish to gray, not continuous, thin, smooth, nonsorediate, nonisidiate, 52-63 ^m thick; hypothallus absent. Apothecia brownish- black, round, emergent, solitary, abundant, 0.5-1.2 mm in diam.; disc brown, brownish- black to black flat to slightly concave, glossy, epruinose; exciple hyaline, biatorine, parathecium with radiating hyphae, prosoplectenchymatous, no algal cells in the amphithecium, C-; epihymenium hyaline to light yellowish to bright brown, 10.5-17.5 l^m thick, K+ purple; hymenium hyaline, 42-59.5 \\.m thick, KI+ blue; paraphyses simple, branched at tips, capitate; hypothecium hyaline to slightly yellowish-brown, not protruding; asci 8-sporate, bitunicate, cylindrical, short, 42-52 x 14-17.5 ^m, tholus KI+ blue. Ascospores hyaline, bipolarilocular, 10.5-17 x 3.5-7 \im, KI+ blue, with an isthamus 1.5 fim thick,. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: The species has been collected in dry deciduous forests.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra), Australia, Eastern United States, Europe, Mexico, N. & Central America.
Remarks: The radiating hyphae in parathecium, no algae in amphithecium, and thickened ascospore end walls are the most characteristic features of Caloplaca pollinii. The specimens at hand resemble C. pollinii, in almost all characters, but differs in not
74 having the pigments parietin, emodin, fallacinol and fallacinal in the thallus. This species is being recorded for the first time fi-omIndia .
Specimens Examined: Nasik District, Bhandardara, 25.9.2002, B.A. Adawadkar & A.V. Bhosale, 02.160. Pune District, Purandar, 1972, P.G. Patwardhan, 72.150; Mulshi, 7.10.2003, B.C. Behera & A.A. Sonone, 03.461; Tamhini ghat, B.C. Behera & N. Verma, 03.426, 03.435, 03.454, 03.455. Satara District, Panchgani near temple, 3.2.2006, U.V. Makhija, 06.205; G.S. Chitale, 06.210.
Caloplaca vitelUnula (Nyl.) H. Oliver [Fig.: 135] Expos. Lick Quest France, 1: 232 (1897). = Lecanora vitelUnula Nyl. F/ora, 66: 305 (1863).
Thallus crustose, saxicolous, grayish-yellow, thin, cracked, minutely and irregularly areolate, rough, scanty, nonsorediate, nonisidiate, 105-135 ^m thick; hypothallus absent. Apothecia yellow, round, adnate, abundant, scattered all over the thallus, solitary or 2-3 in a group, 0.1-0.5 mm in diam.; disc yellowish-white, flat, epruinose; exciple lecanorine, light yellow, thin, glossy, C-; epihymenium indistinct, hyaline; hymenium hyaline, 45-60 [im tall, KI+ blue; paraphyses simple, thin, branched at tips, capitate; subhymenium greenish-yellow, 15-21 |im thick; hypothecium hyaline to greenish, 60-90 jim thick; asci 8-sporate, bitunicate, long, cylindrical, 36-54 x 6-9 \im, tholus KI+ blue. Ascospores hyaline, bipolarilocular, 9-12 x 6-7 |am, with a thin, isthamus. Chemistry: Thallus K+ red; C-, KC-, P-; UV-; atranorin present.
Habitat: The species has been collected in the moist deciduous open forest on the basaltic rock.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra, Manipur and Tamil Nadu), Australia.
75 Remarks: According to Awasthi & K. P. Singh (1975), Caloplaca vitellinula has thallus K+ violet, whereas the specimens studied here, have thallus K+ red and has atranorin. C. vitellinula has been recorded for the first time from Maharashtra.
Specimens Examined: Pune District, Sinhagad, 4.7.2003, G.S. Chitale & A.V. Dube, 03.68,03.71,03.74.
Caloplaca sp. 1 [Fig- 136]
Thallus crustose, saxicolous, darker shade of orange, subeffigurate, areolate, cracked, rough, glossy, nonisidiate, nonsorediate, 45-60 |xm thick; hypothallus distinctly black. Apothecia orange, round, immersed to adnate, smooth, abundant, solitary, 0.2-0.5 mm in diam., K+ reddish-purple; disc brownish to dark orange, flat to slightly convex, epruinose; exciple light yellow, lecanorine, indistinct, thick, glossy, presence of algal cells in the lower margin, C-; epihymenium hyaline, to slightly brownish, to sometimes yellowish-orange, 6-18 |am thick, K+ purple; hymenium hyaline, 75-102 fxm thick, KI+ blue; paraphyses simple, thin, branched at tips; subhymenium very thin, light yellowish- green, about 3 ^m thick; hypothecium hyaline to greenish, 30-60 f^m thick; asci 8- sporate, bitunicate, long, cylindrical, tholus KI+ blue. Ascospores hyaline, bipolarilocular, small, 9-11 x 3-5 |im, with a thin isthamus. Chemistry: Thallus K+ purple; C-, KC-, P-; UV-; norstictic acid, 2 unidentified yellow spots, one at Rf 7 and another Rf 4-5 in TEF.
Habitat: The species has been collected in dry forest on the basaltic rock at an altitude 1400 m.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: Caloplaca species 1 is close to C. vitellinula in having K+ purple reaction of thallus, apothecia with lecanorine margin and ascospore size. Caloplaca species 1 differs from C. vitellinula on the basis of chemistry in having norstictic acid and 2 unidentified substances, whereas C. vitellinula has only atranorin.
• -N 76 .^y ..--.''4\ Moreover, both the species also differ, in thallus colour. Caloplaca sp. 1 has thallus with a darker shade of orange, subeffigurate and areolate, while C. vitellinula has grayish- yellow thallus.
Specimen Examined: Pune District, Purandar fort, 27.10.1993, U.V. Makhija & B.A. Adawadkar, 93.23.
Genus: Carbacanthographis Staiger & Kalb (Graphidaceae) 5/MZ/c;;.,85:98(2002).
The lichen genus Carbacanthographis is characterized by: thallus crustose, corticolous, epiphloeodal. Photobiont a green alga (Trentepohlia). Apothecia lirellate, usually elongate, simple to variously branched, rarely short, emergent, sessile, exciple carbonized with a distinct white pruinose layer in the upper part of lirellae, slit coated with warty periphysoids. Paraphyses simple, hyaline smooth. Asci unitunicate, clavate to subcylindrical, (1-) 6-8-sporate. Ascospores colourless, transversely 3-many septate, oblong-ellipsoidal to muriform.
The lichen genus Carbacanthographis Staiger 8c Kalb, has been recently established by Staiger (2002) in the family Graphidaceae. Eight species of this genus namely C. amicta (Nyl.) Staiger & Kalb, C. candidata (Nyl.) Staiger & Kalb, C. chinophora (Redinger) Staiger & Kalb, C crassa (Mull. Arg.) Staiger & Kalb, C. inspersa Staiger, C. marscescens (Fee) Staiger & Kalb, C. stictica Staiger & Kalb, and C. subalbotecta Staiger & Kalb. were recorded at world level (Staiger, 2002). Subsequently, Nakanishi et al. (2003) reported one species namely C. iriomotensis (M. Nakan.) M. Nakan. &. Kashiw. from Japan and Archer, (2005) reported one species, C. salazinica (A.W. Archer) A.W. Archer from Australia.
77 During the course of our studies one new species of Carbacanthographis, described below as C. indica has been discovered. The genus Carbacanthographis has been recorded for the first time from India.
Carbacanthographis indica sp. nov. [Figs.: 69, 70 & 137)
Type- India, Maharashtra, Sindhudurg district, 10 km from Amboli, on the way to Ajra, II. 10.2000, U.V. Makhija& B.A. Adawadkar, 00.495 (Holotype-AMH).
Thallus corticolous, crustose, epiphloeodal, dull grayish, continuous, uneven, cracked, surrounded by a distinct black hypothallus. Ascomata lirelline, 1-4 mm long and ca. 0.5 mm broad, simple, concolorous with the thallus, semi-emergent to emergent, straight to curved, unbranched, scattered, crowded in the central part of the thallus, obtuse ends; disc narrow, covered by the thalline margin; exciple present at the base, entire, laterally carbonized, covered by a thick thalline margin up to the top, visible only in broader lirellae; epihymenium indistinct; hymenium hyaline, heavily inspersed, 155- 210 ^m tall and 160-230 \xn\ across, I-; hypothecium hyaline, 17-21 |am thick; paraphyses long, thin, filiform, septate, simple, thickened; periphysoids short, warty at the tips; asci 1-sporate, unitunicate, cylindrical. Ascospores ovoid, oblong, hyaline, muriform, 88-147 i^m long and 38-50 i^m wide, 1+ blue. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances are present.
Habitat: The species has been collected in semi-evergreen forest at Amboli.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: Among all the known species of this genus mentioned above Carbacanthographis marcescens (Fee) Staiger & Kalb, is the only species which has excipular base not carbonized which, however, has 4-5/2 locular, much smaller ascospores of 12-17 x 5-7 |im and has salazinic, protocetraric (in trace) and norstictic acids in its thallus.
78 Small thalli of C. indica were found growing on the bark of a tree trunk. They were collected in open, semi-evergreen forest on the way from Amboli to Ajra, which is located in the Sindhudurg district in the Western ghats in the state of Maharashtra and receives heavy rainfall in the monsoon, upto 700 cm per annum.
The genus is being reported for the first time from India.
Specimen Examined: Sindhudurg District, 10 km from Amboli, on the way to Ajra, 11.10.2000, U.V. Makhija & B.A. Adawadkar, 00.495.
Genus: Catinaria Vain. (Bacidiaceae) Acta Soc. Faun, et Flor Fenn., 53(1): 143 (1922).
The lichen genus Catinaria is characterized by: thallus crustose, thin, corticolous. Photobiont a green alga (Trentepohlia). Apothecia sessile, round, lecideine, exciple ± dark. Paraphyses simple, persistant. Asci with "chambre oculaire" and "masse axiale", 1- 8-spored, bitunicate, tholus 1+ blue. Ascospores colourless, 1-septate, somewhat constricted at septum.
Catinaria is a widely spread genus, mostly in the temperate regions with two species known at the world level (Kirk et al, 2001). In the monographic treatment of the lichen family Megalosporaceae, Sipman (1983) has reported 4 species of the lichen genus Catinaria from the world. So far only 2 species namely C. isidiza (Makhija &. Nagarkar) Sipman, and C. versicolor (Fee) Sipman were recorded from the Indian subcontinent (Sipman, 1983; Awasthi, 1991, 2000), and only one species C. isidiza (Makhija & Nagarkar) Sipman has so far been recorded from Maharashtra (Makhija & Nagarkar, 1981).
Catinaria isidiza (Makhija & Nagarkar) Sipman [Figs.: 7 & 138J Bibl. Lick, 18: 171 (1983). = Megalospora isidiza Makhija & Nagarkar Curr. Sci., 50(18): 823 (1981).
79 Type: Maharashtra, Mahabaleshwar, in moist evergreen forest, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 28 Nov 1974. 74.1820 (Holotype-AMH)!.
Thallus crustose, corticolous, greenish-gray, verrucose, epiphloeodal, nonsorediate, isidiate; isidia short, simple, cylindrical, unbranched, 0.1-0.2 mm long. Apothecia bluish- black, globose, adnate, solitary, few, scattered, 1-3.2 mm in diam.; disc blue-black, convex, epruinose, K-; exciple pale yellow to light orange, inconspicuous at maturity the medullary excipulum consists of irregularly oriented hyphae which form a nearly compact tissue; the ectal excipulum is about 100 |im thick and is composed of radially arranged hyphae with 9-14 x 3.5-5 jam large lumina; epihymenium hyaline, 1+ blue with a diffuse blue green pigment; hymenium hyaline, 88-115 |im tall, KI+ greenish-blue; paraphyses simple, unbranched with club-shaped apices; asci 1-2-sporate, bitunicate. Ascospores hyaline, broadly elliptical, 1 - transseptate, 33-63 x 13-17 ^m. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P-; no lichen substances are present.
Habitat: The species has been collected in semi-evergreen forest.
Distribution: India (Kamataka and Maharashtra).
Remarks: Catinaria isidiza stands distinct by its isidiate thallus, adnate, large apothecia with convex, black disc, pale yellow to orange coloured exciple. The species was described as Megalospora isidiza Makhija & Nagarkar (Makhija & Nagarkar, 1981). The species is endemic to India.
Specimens Examined: Satara District, Mahabaleshwar, 10.10.1970, P.G. Patwardhan & P.D. Badhe, 70.65; Pratapgad, 1.11.1973, P.G. Patwardhan & M.B. Nagarkar, 73.2946; Arther Seat, 27.2.1972, P.D. Badhe, 72.16; 27.11.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.1743, 74.1751, 74.1773, 74.1784, 74.1785, 74.1796; Lingmala, 27.2.1972, P.D. Badhe, 72.7, 72.11, 72.12; 21.1.2004, B.C. Behera, 04.38; Lodwick Point, 28.11.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.1821, 74.1848; on the way to Lodwick Point, 28.12.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.1820, 74.1821.
80 Genus: Clathroporina Miill. Arg. (Trichotheliaceae) Flora, 65:517(1882).
The lichen genus Clathroporina is characterized by: thallus crustose, epiphloeodal or endophloeodal, ecorticate. Photobiont a green alga (Jrentepohlia). Ascocarps perithecia, singular, naked or covered by thallus, peridium colourless or dark, hemispherical, ostiole straight, point-like. Paraphyses simple, free. Asci 2-8-spored, bitunicate. Ascospores colourless, ellipsoidal to elongate-fusiform, multicelled muriform.
The genus Clathroporina is essentially distributed in the tropical to subtropical, regions of the world. Only 3 species namely C. anoptella (Stirt.) Zahlbr. C. duplicascens (Nyl.) Zahlbr., and C. foliicola Vezda were known from the Indian subcontinent (Awasthi, 2000). Only one species of this genus has been recorded from Maharashtra in the present studies.
The genus was hithero not known from Maharashtra.
Clathroporina cf. subpungens (Malme) R.C. Harris [Fig.: 139] More Florida Lichens, Including the JO^ tour of the Pyrenolichens, pp. 172 (1995). = Porina subpungens Malme Ark.Bot.,22X(\y. 17(1929).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, greenish-gray, warty, thin flaking, shiny, glossy at the periphery, 126-135 ^m thick; epicortex thin, upto 3 |xm thick; hypo thallus present, not uniform, black. Ascomata greenish-gray, abundant, solitary, concolorous with the thallus, semi-emergent, 0.2-0.5 (-0.8) mm in diam., scattered all over the thallus; ostioles central, brown to rust-brovm, depressed or raised and pointed; exciple brownish to rust in colour, inner side greenish; hymenium hyaline; inspersed with oil globules and crystals, (135-) 150-255 |im tall, K+ red; paraphyses branched, non-septate; asci 4-8-sporate, cylindrical, 115-120 x 30-30.5 |im. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, thin walled, long, 24- 66 X 18-21 iim,KI-. Chemistry: Thallus K + light yellow, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
81 Habitat: The species has been collected in semi-evergreen forest on the road side.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: The specimen at hand is similar to Clathroporina subpungens (Malme) R. C. Harris in all respects but has much broader ascospores of 24-66 x 18-21 \im. The ascospores in C. subpungens are 40-55 x 7.5-9 (-11) f^m in size. This may prove to be a new species but more material should be studied.
Specimen Examined: Sindhudurg District, on the way to Sawantwadi from Amboli, 11.10.2000, U.V. Makhija & B.C. Behera, 00.242.
Genus: Cryptothecia Stirt. (Arthoniaceae) Proc. Phil. Soc. Glasgow, 10: 77 (1876).
The genus Cryptothecia is characterized by: thallus crustose, effuse, ecorticate, usually corticolous, rarely foliicolous. Photobiont a green alga (Jrentepohlia). Hypothallus usually well developed, white or brownish. No organized ascocarps. Asci ± evenly dispersed in thallus or aggregated and embedded in prominent, slightly elevated and differently coloured fertile areas, a loose non-coherent hyphal tissue between asci. Asci globose, sphaeroid or ovoid, bitunicate, 1-8-spored. Ascospores colourless, submuriform to multicelled-muriform.
The lichen genus Cryptothecia is widely spread in the tropical regions of the world and known by 50 species (Kirk et al, 2001). So far 25 species have been recorded from the Indian subcontinent (Awasthi, 2000) and only two species namely C. awasthii Makhija & Patw. and C. macrospora Makhija & Patw. have been recorded from Maharashtra (Makhija & Patwardhan, 1985,1994).
Key to the species of Cryptothecia from Maharashtra la. Ascospores not exceeding lOO^m in length Thallus greenish-white to white; ascospores 84-96.6 x 25-28 ^m; confluentic and gyrophoric acids present C. awasthii
82 lb. Ascospores exceeding lOO^m in length Thallus pale white to greenish-white; ascospores 82.5-158 x 32-48 ^m; confluentic and gyrophoric acids present C. macrospora
Cryptothecia awasthii Makhija & Patw. [Figs.: 3 & 140] Biovigyanam, 11(1): 4 (1985).
Type: Maharashtra, Warandha, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.1945 (Holotype- AMH) ! .
Thallus crustose, corticolous, greenish-white, white, unevenly thickened, distinctly cracked, epiphloeodal, determinted by distinctly black hypothalloidal region at the periphery, 121-264 |im thick, composed of thin, long, highly branched, more or less compactly arranged hyphae, covered with a continuous layer of algal cells, 38-63 i^m thick. Ascigerous parts of the thallus externally visible as large, slightly elevated, irregular, white patches all over the thallus, often up to 400 |am thick, sometimes exposed as black, round to irregular areas; asci equally distributed in the fertile areas, interthecial tissue made up of loosely interwoven hyphae, algal layer covering the fertile areas and especially rich in algae just above the asci; asci 8-sporate, bitunicate, subglobose to globose, pedicellate, thick walled, wall about 8-12 ^m thick, with a dome shaped extension of the endoascus at the top 92-122 x 96 |im. Ascospores pale brown, muriform, ovate, broader at the middle portion, slightly curved, 84-96.6 x 25-28 |xm. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; confluentic and gyrophoric acids present.
Habitat: The specimen has been collected on a tree, in moist deciduous forest.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: Cryptothecia awasthi is distinguished by its white, pruinose fertile areas and the presence of confluentic and gyrophoric acids in its thallus. This species is known only by its type and has not been recollected. The taxon is rare and endemic to Maharashtra.
83 Cryptothecia macrospora Makhija & Patw. [Fig.: 43 & 141] Biovigyanam, 11(1): 7 (1985).
Type: Maharashtra, Dabhole ghat, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar 74.2\1\ (Holotype- AMH) !.
Thallus crustose, corticolous, effuse, pale white to greenish-white, smooth or unevenly thickened, delimited by black hypothalloidal region at the periphery, moderately thick, composed of loosely interwoven, long, branched hyphae. Ascigerous parts of the thallus up to 446 \im high, externally visible as slightly elevated, white, round areas with pinkish dots demarking the fertile region, 0.5-1.5 mm across; interthecial tissue composed of loosely interwoven hyphae; asci 8-sporate, crowded in patches below the algal layer, subglobose, bitunicate, thick walled with wall 8-14 fam thick, 126-138 x 117-147 |xm. Ascospores hyaline oval, oblong, elongate, with both ends obtuse, middle portion broader slightly curved, 82.5-158 x 32-48 [im. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; confluentic and gyrophoric acids present.
Habitat: The species has been collected only on the trees on the roadside from Nivali village in the Ratnagiri district.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: Cryptothecia macrospora an endemic species to Maharashtra is not comparable with any other known species of this genus in respect of ascospore dimensions reaching a length upto 160 |am. This species has not been recollected in the present studies.
Specimens Examined: Ratnagiri District, Nivali village, 5.12.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.1987; Dabhole ghat, 6.12.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.1997,74.1998,74.2171.
84 Genus : Dimerella Trevis. (Gyalectaceae) Rendic. Istit. Lombardo, ser. 2,13: 65 (1880).
The lichen genus Dimerella Trevis. is characterized by: thallus crustose, corticolous, or foliicolous, ecorticate. Photobiont a green alga {Trentepohlid). Apothecia round, sessile or constricted at base, disc yellow or orange, lecideoid, margin paraplectenchymatous, often excluded, hypothecium colourless. Paraphyses with thickened apices. Asci 8- spored, unitunicate. Ascospores colourless, 1-septate, thin, walled. Pycnoconidia straight, ellipsoid.
The lichen genus Dimerella is distributed throughout the tropical, subtropical and temperate zones. Only 25 species are known at the world level (Kirk et al, 2001) and 6 species are known from the Indian subcontinent (Awasthi, 2000). Dimerella lutea (Dicks.) Trevis., is the only species of this genus that has been recorded from Maharashtra. The genus has been recorded for the first time fi-omMaharashtra .
Dimerella lutea (Dicks.) Trevis. [Figs. : 71, 72 & 142] Rendic. Istit. Lombardo, ser. 2,13: 65 (1880). = Lichen luteus Dicks. Fasc. Plant. Cryptog. Brit., 1: 11 (1785).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, grayish or yellowish-white, smooth to shiny, finely cracked; algal layer green, 36-45 |im thick; hypothallus whitish. Apothecia bright yellow to pale yellowish-white when wet, round, sessile to adnate, 0.5-0.8 mm in diam.; disc bright yellow to pale yellowish-white when wet, flat, when mature turns concave; exciple hyaline to yellowish, paraplechtenchymatous, lecideine; epihymenium hyaline, indistinct, 3-3.5 ^m thick, K-; hymenium hyaline, 60-75 |im tall, KI+ blue; subhymenium hyaline to light yellow, 24-30 |im thick; paraphyses simple to branched, sometimes connected, tips distinctly capitate; hypothecium hyaline, glossy, paraplechtenchymatous, 30-45 ^m thick; asci 8-sporate, unitunicate, cylindrical, 42-48 x 6-9 ^m, tholus KI+ blue. Ascospores hyaline, oblong, 1-septate, very rarely 3-transseptate, ends obtuse, 9-12 x 3-3.5 i^m, K1-. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; atranorin and terpenoids present.
85 Habitat: Dimerella lutea occurs in semi-evergreen forest on tree trunks.
Distribution: India (Bengal and Maharashtra), Australia, Canada, Hawaii Islands, Nepal, New Zealand and USA.
Remarks: Dimerella lutea has been recorded for the first time from Maharashtra and the Western ghats.
Specimens Examined: Pune District, Bhimashankar, 29.9.1974, M.B. Nagarkar 8c A.V. Prabhu, 74.774, 74.775; 30.9.1974, C.R. Kulkami & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.829; Lonavala, 5.8.2003, B.C. Behera & B.A. Adawadkar, 03.263; B.C. Behera «& G.S. Chitale, 03.221. Satara District, Mahabaleshwar, Arther Seat, 27.2.1972, P.D. Badhe, 72.17; Lingmala, Near Forest Bunglow, 31.1.2006, U.V. Makhija, 06.94, 06.95, 06.96, 06.97.
Genus: Diorygma Eschw. (Graphidaceae) Syst. Lick,: n {niA).
The lichen genus Diorygma Eschw. is characterized by: thallus, crustose, epiphloeodal, pseudocortex inconspicuous or absent which results in a matt, often granular, farinose upper surface. Photobiont Trentepohlia. Ascomata apothecial, lirellate often flexuous and branched, disc slit-like or ± open, smooth, usually brownish, often with a thick whitish or yellowish pruina. Margin thick and bulging or thin and not or hardly raised from the thallus surface. Exciple carbonized or pale, excipular base varying from rudimentary to well developed and uncarbonized or distinctly carbonized, lateral exciple and excipular lips ± divergent, entire or with ± distinct striae due to multiple regeneration of the ascocarp. Paraphyses branched, anastomosing, with a thick gelatinous wall (usually only the lumina are distinctly visible); paraphysis tips are reticulately interwoven to form an epihymenium; asci thickened, with ± distinct ocular chamber, of the Graphis-type, 1-8 spored. Ascospores hyaline, very rarely brownish (brown spores are usually degenerated), oblong with rounded ends, rarely fusiform, transversely septate with
86 lenticular spore locules or muriform, 1+ blue-violet or I-; and the presence of norstictic, stictic and or protocetraric acid chemosyndromes.
Diorygma, a widely distributed, tropical to subtropical genus with twenty-four species at the world level, was resurrected by Staiger (2002) and monographed by Kalb et al, (2004). Subsequently, two species were recorded by Archer (2006) from Australia namely D. nothofagi (A.W. Archer) A.W. Archer and D. wilsonianum (Miill. Arg.) A.W. Archer. Only three species, namely D. megasporum Kalb et al, D. pruinosum (Eschw.) Kalb et al, and D. tuberculosum (Stirt.) Kalb et al, were earlier recorded from the Indian subcontinent (Kalb et al, 2004). D. megasporum was the only species reported earlier from Maharashtra.
In the monograph of the lichen genus Diorygma, Kalb et al (2004), while describing their new species D. megasporum Kalb et al, clearly stated that "the ascocarp morphology differs from other species of the genus by their slightly convergent lateral margins and a very thick epihymenium. It is possible that this species would be better accommodated in another, as yet undescribed genus, but molecular data should be sought to clarify this possibility".
In the present studies, several species have been discovered with convergent lateral margin and a very thick epihymenium and hyaline, muriform ascospores, which, infact, come close to the species Diorygma megasporum (coincidently, this species is based on the Indian material). Therefore, for the time being these species have been described in the genus Diorygma which may prove to be the species of a new undescribed genus. Fourteen species of the genus Diorygma have been described from Maharashtra.
Key to the species oi Diorygma from Maharashtra
1 a. Asci 1 -2-sporate 2
1 b. Asci 1 -8-sporate 8
2a. Atranorin present 3
87 2b. Atranorin absent 4
3a. Ascomata 1-2.5 mm long and 0.5-1.2 mm broad; ascospores 129-150 x 45-57 |am; atranorin, norstictic and salazinic acids present D. vainioi
3b. Ascomata 1-2 mm long and 0.5-1.3 mm broad; ascospores 75-99 x 24-30 |im; atranorin, norstictic and salazinic acids present D. panchganiensis
4a. Ascospores not exceeding 100 }im in length Ascomata 1-1.5 mm long and 0.2-0.5 mm broad, simple to branched, immersed, flush with the thallus; ascospores 1/ascus, 57-96 x 24-36 |im; norstictic (trace), constictic, stictic acid and an unidentified substance present D. zahlbrucknerii
4b. Ascospores exceeding 100 ^im in length 5
5a. Salazinic and norstictic acid present Ascomata 0.5-6 mm long and 0.2-1 mm broad, simple, furcate, branched, immersed; ascospores 135-150 x 12-27 ^lm; norstictic, salazinic acids and two unknown substances present D. distinctum
5b. Salazinic and norstictic acids absent or present in trace 6
6a. Ascospores below 200 i^m in length, with a fine gelatinous sheath Ascomata 0.5-1 mm long and 0.1-0.3 mm broad, simple, triradiate, sparsely branched, immersed to emergent; ascospores with a thin gelatinous sheath, 126-193 X 42-71.4 |am; constictic, norstictic (trace), and stictic, acids present D. hieroglyphicum
6b. Ascospores exceeding 200 |am in length, without a gelatinous sheath 7
7a. Thallus verrucose; ascomata 0.5-1 mm long and 0.1-0.2 mm broad, simple, immersed to semi-emergent; disc moderately broad, pruinose; ascospores 160-294 x 42-84 |im; constictic, connorstictic and stictic acids present D. verrucosa
7b. Thallus smooth; ascomata 0.5-9 mm long and 0.1-0.25 mm broad, mostly simple, sparsely branched, immersed to slightly emergent; disc narrow, brown to blackish- brown, pruinose; ascospores 231-244 x 59-76 i^m; consalazinic, constictic, cryptostictic and stictic acids present D. megaspermum
8a. Norstictic acid present 9
8b. Norstictic acid absent 11
88 9a. Ascospores not exceeding 150 ^m in length Ascomata 0.5-2 mm long and 0.2-0.7 mm broad, simple to branched, semi-emergent; disc narrow to wide (at maturity), pruinose; ascospores 1-4/ascus, 69-105x18- 27 urn; norstictic and salazinic acids D. kalbii
9b. Ascospores exceeding 150 |am in length 10
10a. Ascomata 1-6 mm long and 0.1-0.25 mm broad, immersed to semi-emergent; disc white, narrow slit like, later moderately open, with white pruina; ascospores 1-2- 4/ascus, 147-273 x 34-67 |am; norstictic and salazinic acids present D. excipuloconvergentum
10b. Ascomata whitish to paler than thallus, 1-4 mm long and 0.1-0.3 mm broad, flush with the thallus to somewhat raised; ascospores 1-4 /ascus, 151-294 x 38-63 |j.m; cryptostictic and norstictic acids present D. longisporum
11a. Ascospores not exceeding 100 ^m in length 12 lib. Ascospores exceeding 100 fim in length 13
12a. Ascomata 3-7 mm long and 0.1-0.25 mm broad, disc narrow, reddish-brown to blackish-brown, pruinose; ascospores 8/ascus, muriform, 46-63 x 17-25 |a,m; stictic acid present D. microsporum
12b. Ascomata 0.5-3 mm long and 0.2-0.5 mm broad, disc narrow, slit-like, later moderately open, blackish-brown, white-pruinose; ascospores 4-8/ ascus, 66-99 x 12-36 ^m; constictic, and stictic acids present D. albovirescens
13a. Ascomata whitish, 0.5-5 mm long and 0.1-0.2 mm broad, disc slit like, pruinose; ascospores (1-) 2-4/ ascus, 80-159 p,m x 25-34 |xm; cryptostictic, stictic, and salazinic acids present D. viridis
13b. Ascomata concolorous with thallus, 0.5-5 mm long and 0.2-0.35 mm broad; disc slit like, moderately open, blackish-brown, white pruinose; ascospores 1-8/ascus, 85- 197 X 29-71 |.im; constictic, stictic, and cryptostictic acids present D. megasporum
Diorygma albovirescens sp. nov. [Figs.: 75, 76 & 143]
Type: India, Maharashtra, Ratnagiri District, Chiplun, 15.5.2004, G.S. Chitale, 04.80 (Holotype-AMH).
89 Thallus crustose, corticolous, greenish-white, epiphloeodal, continuous, smooth to cracked, pseudocortex indistinct, hypothallus indistinct. Ascomata lirelHne, 0.5-3 mm long and 0.2-0.5 mm broad, simple to branched, flexuous, immersed to semi-emergent, concolorous with the thallus, fissure like; thalline margin raised and often separated from the thallus or the disc by a deep slit, concolorous or paler than the thallus, entire, studded with crystals, encircling exciple; disc narrow, slit-like, later moderately open, blackish- brown, covered with white pruina; exciple poorly developed, 2-3-striate, present at base, thin, pale brown to blackish-brown at apices, convergent, covered by a thick, thalline margin up to the top; epihymenium dark, blackish-brown to almost black, 34-42 ^im thick; hymenium hyaline, not inspersed, 126-250 |am tall, KI+ blue; paraphyses branched, long, thin, thickened, interwoven, compact at apices; asci 4-8-sporate. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, ellipsoid, 66-99 x 12-36 |xm, 1+ violet. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; constictic and stictic acids present.
Habitat: These species has been collected in semi-evergreen forests, receiving heavy rains during the monsoon.
Distribution: India (Maharashtara).
Remarks: Diorygma albovirescens is somewhat similar to the new species D. microsporum in having smaller ascospores but that species has ascospores of 46-63 x 17- 25 fim size, and produces only stictic acid.
Diorygma albovirescens also resembles D. intermedium Kalb et al, in external morphology as it has long ± flexuous and branched ascomata, appearing as fissures, immersed in the thallus, whitish, disc surrounded by an entire thalline margin slightly to distinctly raised, often separated from the thallus by a deep slit and larger ascospores. However, D. intermedium has different chemistry in having hypostictic and hypoconstictic acids (major), oc-acetylhypoconstictic acid (minor traces or absent).
Specimens Examined: Ratnagiri District,. Chiplun, 15.5.2004, G.S. Chitale, 04.77, 04.81, 04.84, 04.85, 04.88, 04.90. Satara District, Mahabaleshwar, Lingmala, 21.1.2004,
90 B.A. Adawadkar, 04.14. Sindhudurg District, on the way to Vaibhavwadi, 12.10.2000, B.A. Adawadkar & K.R. Randive, 00.373.
Diorygma distinctum sp. nov. [Fig.: 144]
Type: India, Maharashtra, Sindhudurg District, on the way to Phonda, 12.10. 2000, U.V. Makhija & B.C. Behera, 00.263 (Holotype-AMH).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, whitsh-gray, epiphloeodal, continuous, smooth to rough, finely cracked, pseudocortex not visible, hypothallus black. Ascomata lirelline, 0.5-6 mm long and 0.2-1 mm broad, simple, furcate, dendroidly branched, immersed, straight or curved, concolorous with the thallus, with obtuse ends; thalline margin slightly raised, concolorous or paler than the thallus, entire, studded with crystals, encircling exciple; disc narrow, slit-like, light brown, slightly pruinose; exciple convergent, poorly developed, 2-3-striate, present at the base, thin, pale brown blackish-brown at apices, covered by a thick, thalline margin up to the top; epihymenium dark blackish-brown to almost black, 15-21 \xm thick, covered by fine pruina; hymenium hyaline, not inspersed, 126-215 |am tall, KI+ blue; paraphyses branched, long, thin, thickened, interwoven, compact at apices; asci 1-2-sporate. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, ellipsoid, 135-150 x 12-27 |im, 1+ violet. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P+ yellow; UV-; norstictic, salazinic acids and two unknown substance present (indicated by yellow spot at Rf 3-4 and a gray spot at Rf l-2inTDAandTEF).
Habitat: The specimens have been collected in semi-evergreen forest.
Distribution: India (Maharashtara).
Remarks: The new species Diorygma distinctum is somewhat similar to the new species D. kalbii in having norstictic and salazinic acid, however D. distinctum produces two unidentified substances. Both these species differ also in ascospore size. D. distinctum has larger ascospores of 135-150 x 12-27 i^m while D. kalbii has ascospores of 69-105 x 18-27 fim size.
91 Diorygma salvadoriense Kalb et al. a species from El Salvador with norstictic and salazinic acids resembles the new species D. distinctum only in chemistry but differs in all other characters. Specimens Examined: Kolhapur District, Panhala, 11.12.2002, G.S. Chitale, 02.283.
Diorygma excipuloconvergentum sp. nov. [Fig.: 145]
Type: India, Maharashtra, Pune District, Purandar Fort, 13.9.2002, U.V. Makhija & A.V. Bhosale, 02.60 (Holotype-AMH).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, epiphloeodal, continuous, smooth to cracked, sometimes uneven, pale glaucous green to olivaceous buff or whitish, pseudocortex indistinct, hypothallus black. Ascomata lirelline, 1-6 mm long and 0.1-0.25 mm broad, simple to rarely branched, immersed to semi-emergent, concolorous with the thallus, with obtuse ends; thalline margin raised, overarching the exciple, entire, studded with crystals; disc white, narrow, slit-like, later moderately open, white pruinose; exciple poorly developed, indistinctly 2-4-striate, blackish-brown at apices, laterally pale yellow, present at the base, converging at the apical portion; epihymenium hyaline to blackish-brown, 21- 50 ^m thick; hymenium hyaline, not inspersed, 105-185 |am tall, lateral and upper part KI+ blue; paraphyses branched, long, thin, septate, thickened, branched at apices; asci 1- 2-4-sporate. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, ellipsoid, oblong, 147-273 x 34-67 \im wide, 1+ violet. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow to red, C-, KC+ orange to red, P+ orange to red; UV-; norstictic and salazinic acids are present.
Habitat: The species is abundantly fovmd and has been collected in dry deciduous and semi-evergreen forests in Maharashtra.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: The new species Diorygma excipuloconvergentum can be compared to D. megasporum Kalb et al. as both species have convergent exciples, a distinct
92 epihymenium and 2-8-sporate asci. But D. excipuloconvergentum differs from D. megasporum in producing norstictic and salazinic acids (major) and has larger ascospores. D. megasporum produces constictic, cryptostictic and stictic acids and has smaller ascospores of 80-197 x 29-71 [xm.
Though Diorygma excipuloconvergentum and D. longisporum resemble in having 1-4 sporate asci and has large ascospores, D. longisporum differs in producing cryptostictic and norstictic acids.
Diorygma salvadoriense Kalb et al., which has norstictic and salazinic acids in its thallus, however, is distinctly different from the present new species in morphological and anatomical characters.
Specimens Examined: Ahmednagar District, Bhandardara, 25.9.2002, G.S. Chitale & B.A. Adawadkar 02.161. Kolhapur District, Amba, 16.10.1974, C.R. Kulkami & A.V Prabhu, 74.1249, 74.1250, 74.1262, 74.1269, 74.1329, 74.1369; Panhala, 13.10.1974, P.G. Patwardhan «fe A.V. Prabhu, 74.1055, 74.1056, 74.1057, 74.1059, 74.1062, 74.1064, 74.1065, 74.1066, 74.1067, 74.1068, 74.1073, 74.1074, 74.1082, 74.1084, 74.1086, 74.1092, 74.1096, 74.1098, 74.1099, 74.1100, 74.1104, 74.1107, 74.1110, 74.1111, 74.1115, 74.1116, 74.1123, 74.1126, 74.1127, 74.1131, 74.1185, 74.1443; 12.10.2000, U.V. Makhija 8c B.C. Behera, 00.277, 00.282; B.A. Adawadkar & K.R. Randive, 00.327; B.C. Behera & V.A. Mantri, 00.328; 13.10.2000, U.V. Makhija &. K.R. Randive, 00.386, 00.387, 00.394. Nasik District, Saptashringi Gad, 24.9.2002, B.C. Behera & G.S. Chitale, 02.183, 02.184a, 02.193, 02.233. Pune District, Bhimashankar, 17.9.1997, U.V. Makhija, 97.1, 97.2, 97.3, 97.16; Khandala, Boma Hills, 4.3.1974, P.G. Patwardhan «fe M.B. Nagarkar, 74.86, 74.630, 74.631, 74.633, 74.637, 74.638, 74.639, 74.640, 74.641, 74.644, 74.645, 74.646, 74.647, 74.650, 74.651; 29.8.2000, B.A. Adawadkar & K.R. Randive, 00.89, 00.113; Purandar Fort, 13.9.2002, U.V. Makhija & A.V. Bhosale, 02.53, 02.58, 02.59, 02.61, 02.62; Sinhagad Fort, 16.8.2000, U.V. Makhija & B.A. Adawadkar, 00.49, 00.50; Lonavala, Walwan dam, 16.9.2002, B.C. Behera & B.A. Adawadkar, 02.124, 02.125, 02.126, 02.128, 02.129; Malshej Ghat, Neemgiri, 09.9.2002, U.V.
93 Makhija & A.V. Bhosale, 02.26, 02.27. Raigad District, Kamala, 16.9.2002, G.S. Chitale & A.V. Bhosale, 02.90; Warandha Bhor-Mahad, 4.12.1974, C.R. Kulkami, 74.1946; M.B. Nagarkar & A.V. Prabhu, 74.1947, 74.1971; Hirdoshi, Bhor-Mahad, 4.12.1974, M.B. Nagarkar, 74.1976, 74.1977, 74.1978. Ratnagari District, Chiplun, 18.10.2002, C.R. Kulkami, 02.271; Kasheli Ghat, Poladpur, 4.12.1974, C.R. Kulkami, 74.1935. Satara District, Mahabaleshwar, 24.9.1997, B.A. Adawadkar, 97.58; Panchgani, 25.9.2001, G.S. Chitale, 01.39; B.A. Adawadkar, 01.45, A.V. Bhosale, 01.54; Lingmala, 21.1.2004, 04.150. Sindhudurg District, Amboli, 18.10.1974, C.R. Kulkami, 74.1390; 8.12.1974, C.R. Kulkami, 74.2296, 74.2329; Amboli, 14.1.1975, P.G. Patwardhan «& C.R. Kulkami; 10.10.2000, U.V. Makhija & B.A. Adawadkar, 00.147, 00.148,00.149,00.172.
Diorygma hieroglyphicum (Pers.) Kalb & Staiger [Figs.: 73, 74 & 146] Bibl.Lich.,S5: 113(2002). = Opegrapha hieroglyphica Pers. Ann. Wetterauischen Ges. Gesammte Naturk., 2: 16(1811).
Thallus cmstose, corticolous, buff to glaucous gray, epiphloeodal, continuous, unevenly thickened to cracked, tightly attached to substratum, pseudocortex indistinct, surface matt, surrounded by a thin, black hypothallus. Ascomata lirelline, 0.5-1 mm long and 0.1-0.3 mm broad, simple, tri-radiate, rarely sparsely branched, immersed to raised, irregularly curved, wavy, flexuous, whitish, or paler, apices obtuse; thalline margin entire, whitish or concolorous with the thallus, studded with crystals, encircling exciple; disc narrow, slightly open, white pruinose; exciple poorly developed, 2-4 striate, orange- brown, to dark brown at apices, present at the base, convergent, covered by a thick thalline margin upto the top; epihymenium brownish, 29-42 \im thick; hymenium hyaline, not inspersed, 126-176 [im tall, lateral and upper part K1+ blue; paraphyses branched, long, thin, septate, thickened at apices, compact; asci 1-2-sporate. Ascospores hyaline, muriform with a thin gelatinous sheath, ovate, oblong, 126-193 x 42-71.4 |im, 1+ violet.
94 Chemistry: Thallus K+, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; constictic, norstictic (trace), and stictic, acids present.
Habitat: The species has been found to grow on the bark, associated with Lecanora chlarotera Nyl.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra), Cameroon, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, The PhiUppines, Singapore, Society Islands and Tanzania.
Remarks: Diorygma hieroglyphicum, a pantropical species, is reported for the first time from India.
Specimens Examined: Pune District, Khandala, 1.1.1970, P.O. Patwardhan, 70.1a. Sindhudurg District, on the way to Vaibhavwadi from Phonda, 12.10.2000, B.C. Behera & V. A. Mantri, 00.326.
Diorygma kalbii sp. nov. [Fig.: 147]
Type: India, Maharashtra, Sindhudurg District, on the way to Phonda from Radhanagari, 12.10.2000, U.V. Makhija& K.R. Randive, 00.281 (Holotype-AMH).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, off white to grayish, epiphloeodal, continuous, smooth to rough, finely cracked, pseudocortex invisible, hypothallus black. Ascomata concolorous, with the thallus or paler, lirelline, 0.5-2 mm long and 0.2-0.7 mm broad, simple to branched, semi-emergent; thalline margin raised, concolorous or paler than the thallus, entire, studded with crystals; disc narrow to wide open (at maturity), pruinose; exciple poorly developed, 2-3 striate, present at the base, thin, pale brown laterally, blackish-brown at apices, convergent; epihymenium dark blackish-brown 17-21 fxm thick; hymenium hyaline, not inspersed, 125-140 [xm tall, KI+ blue; paraphyses branched, long, thin, thickened, compact at apices, forming the epihymenium; asci 1-4-sporate. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, ellipsoid, 69-105 x 18-27 }im, 1+ violet. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P+ yellow; UV-; norstictic and salazinic acids present.
95 Habitat: This species has been collected from semi-evergreen forest. The area receives heavy rains during the monsoon.
Distribution: India (Maharashtara).
Remarks: Diorygma kalbii resembles D. salvadoriense Kalb et al. in producing norstictic and salazinic acids (major) but differs in having convergent exciple, thick dark blackish-brown epihymenium and smaller ascospores. D. salvadoriense has a divergent exciple and has much larger ascospores of 150-200 (-230) x 50-75 \x.xn size.
Diorygma longisporum sp. nov. [Fig.: 148]
Type: India, Maharashtra, Pune District, Bhimashankar, 10.10.1970, P.G. Patwardhan & P.D. Badhe, 70.59 (Holotype-AMH).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, epiphloeodal, continuous, smooth to cracked, glaucous, whitish to greenish-gray, thin, epruinose, pseudocortex invisible, hypothallus black. Ascomata lirelline, 1-4 mm long and 0.1-0.3 mm broad, simple to rarely branched, flush with the thallus, rarely somewhat raised, paler than the thallus, whitish, or concolorous with the thallus, with acute or more or less rounded apices; thalline margin mealy entire, studded with crystals, encircling exciple; disc narrow, concealed, slit like or broader, blackish-brown to black, white pruinose when open; exciple poorly developed, 3-4 indistinct striation, blackish-brown at apices, present at the base, pale yellow to almost hyaline, apically convergent, covered by a thick thalline margin up to the top; epihymenium blackish-brown, distinctly developed, 21-29 ^m thick, hymenium hyaline, not inspersed, 143-201 ^im tall, lateral and upper part KI+ blue; paraphyses profusely branched, long, thin, septate, thickened, interwoven at apices; asci 1-4-sporate. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, fusiform-oblong, without gelatinous sheath, 151-294 x 38-63 ^m,l+violet. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P+ yellow; UV-; cryptostictic and norstictic acids present.
96 Habitat: The species is collected in semi-evergreen forest.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: Diorygma longisporum closely resembles D. megasporum Kalb et al, in ascomatal morphology as it has poorly developed convergent exciple with lateral brownish striations and thick blackish-brown epihymenium but that species has much smaller ascospores of 85-197 x 29-71 ^m size and has constictic, cryptostictic and stictic acids.
Specimens Examined: Pune District, Bhimashankar, 6.9.1970, P.G. Patwardhan & P.D. Badhe, 70.26, 70.54; 10.10.1970, P.G. Patwardhan & P.D. Badhe, 70.62; Khandala, 25.8.1973, C.R. Kulkami, 73.205. Satara District, Mahabaleshwar, Lodwick Point, 28.2.1972, P.D. Badhe, 72.21; 28.11.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.1841, 74.1847; Dhobi fall, 1.11.1974, M.B. Nagarkar, 73.2927; Pratapgad, 2.11.1973, C.R. Kulkami, 73.2945, 73.2949; Lingmala Water Fall, V.D. Vartak, L 129.
Diorygma megaspermum sp. nov. [Fig.: 149]
Type: India, Maharashtra, Sindhudurg District, Ajra to Amboli Road, 7.12.1974, P.G. Patwardhan & A.V. Prabhu, 74.2255 (Holotype-AMH).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, epiphloeodal, continuous, smooth, greenish-white; pseudocortex invisible; black hypothallus present. Ascomata lirelline, 0.5-9 mm long and 0.1-0.25 mm broad, simple, appearing like a dotted line, to rarely branched, immersed to slightly emergent, flexuous, scattered, concolorous with the thallus, tapering acute apices; thalline margin paler than the thallus or white, raised often quite rugose, entire, studded with crystals, encircling exciple; disc narrow, pruinose; exciple poorly developed, convergent, 2-6-striate, blackish-brown at apices and dark brown laterally, present at base, covered by a thick thalline margin up to the top; epihymenium dark blackish- brown, 29-42 \xm thick; hymenium hyaline, not inspersed, 113-155 ^im tall, lateral and upper part KI+ blue; paraphyses branched, long, thin, septate, thickened, branched and
97 interwoven at apices; asci 1-sporate. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, without gelatinous sheath, ovoid, oblong, 231 -244 x 59-76 |im, 1+ violet. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellowish-orange, C-, KC+ yellow, P-; UV-; consalazinic, constictic, cryptostictic and stictic acids are present.
Habitat: This species is collected in semi-evergreen forest.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: The new species Diorygma megaspermum is comparable to the new species D. excipuloconvergentum as the two species have larger ascospores but D. megaspermum can be distinguished from the latter species on the basis of chemistry. D. megaspermum has consalazinic, constictic, cryptostictic and stictic acids while D. excipuloconvergentum has norstictic and salazinnic acids in its thallus.
Diorygma megasporum Kalb, Staiger & Elix [Fig.: 150] Symb. Bot. Ups. 34(1): 161 (2004).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, epiphloeodal, continuous, smooth, or uneven, gray, primrose, or olivaceous buff to glaucous green, pseudocortex indistinct, surrounded by thin black hypothallus. Ascomata lirelline, 0.5-5 mm long and 0.2-0.35 mm broad, simple to branched, immersed to semi-emergent, straight or curved, wavy, flexuous, with obtuse ends; thalline margin raised, concolorous or paler than the thallus, studded with crystals, encircling exciple; disc narrow, slit-like, later moderately open, blackish-brown, white pruinose; exciple poorly developed, 2-5-striate, present at base, thin, pale brown, blackish-brown at apices, converging at the apical portion, covered by a thick, thalline margin up to the top; epihymenium dark blackish-brown to almost black, 34-42 i^m thick; hymenium hyaline, not inspersed, 126-250 ^m tall, lateral and upper part KI+ blue; paraphyses branched, long, thin, septate, compact and interwoven at apices; asci 1-8- sporate. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, ovoid-oblong, 85-197 x 29-71 |am, 1+ violet. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P+ orange; UV-; constictic, cryptostictic and stictic acids present.
98 Habitat: The species has been collected in dry deciduous to moist deciduous forests in open places on road side trees, often at higher elevations.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra and Sikkim).
Remarks: According to Kalb et al, (2004) Diorygma megasporum has ascospores of 80- 170(-220) X 21-25 |im and has constictic, stictic, hypoconstictic and hypostictic acids (major) in its thallus while the specimens at hand possess constictic, cryptostictic and stictic acids. I do not think that this is as an independent species and placed the specimens at hand in D. megasporum. This species was earlier been reported from Maharashtra, by Kalb e/a/., (2004).
Specimens Examined: Kolhapur District, Amba, 16.10.1974, C.R. Kulkarni & A.V. Prabhu, 74.1245, 74.1246, 74.1247, 74.1247b, 74.1248, 74.1252, 74.1253, 74.1257, 74.1260, 74.1264, 74.1265, 74.1266, 74.1268, 74.1270, 74.1271, 74.1273, 74.1274, 74.1275, 74.1276, 74.1277, 74.1280, 74.1281, 74.1328, 74.1330, 74.1332, 74.1338, 74.1334, 74.1339a, 74.1345; Panhala, 13.10.1974, P.G. Patwardhan «& C.R. Kulkarni, 74.1058, 74.1072, 74.1118; 13.10.2000, U.V. Makhija & K.R. Randive, 00.382, 00.383, 00.388, 00393, 00.482, 00.484; Vishalgad-Amba-Gajapur Road, 6.12.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.2162, 74.2188, 74.2200. Pane District, Khandala, Boma hills, 19.9.1974, C.R. Kulkarni «& M.B. Nagarkar, 74.636, 74.643, 74.648. Raigad District, Kamala, 28.8.1974, M.B. Nagarkar & A.V. Prabhu, 74.568, 74.589, 74.601; Warandha, Bhor to Mahad, 4.12.1974, M.B. Nagarkar & A.V. Prabhu, 74.1939, 74.1940, 74.1954, 74.1964. Ratnagiri District, Nerur, 16.3.1975, P.G. Patwardhan, 75.441; Dabhole Ghat, 5.12.1974, M.B. Nagarkar & A.V. Prabhu, 74.2039, 74.2040a; Nivali village-Chiplun, 5.12.1974, P.G. Patwardhan, M.B. Nagarkar & C.R. Kulkarni, 74.2065, 74.2104, 74.2120, 74.2126, 74.2127, 74.2128, 74.2131, 74.2134, 74.2135, 74.2137, 74.2138, 74.2140, 74.2143, 74.2146; 18.10.2002, G.S. Chitale, 02.272, 02.273a; Ganpatipule, 5.12.1974, C.R. Kulkarni, 74.2046, 74.2080. Satara District, Panchgani, 25.9.2001, A.V. Bhosale, 01.53. Sindhudurg District, Amboli, 18.10.1974, C.R. Kulkarni & A.V. Prabhu, 74.1395, 74.1426, 74.1652, 74.1653, 74.2243, 74.2247; 10.10.2000, U.V. Makhija «& B.A. Adawadkar, 00.166, 00.171, 00.173; Radhanagari-Phonda, 12.10.2000,
99 U.V. Makhija & K.R. Randive, 00.273; Vaibhavwadi, 12.10.2000, B.A. Adawadkar & K.R.Randive, 00.371, 00.374.
Diorygma microsporum sp. nov. [F'g" 151]
Type: India, Maharashtra, Satara District, Mahabaleshwar, Pratapgad, 28.2.1972, P. D. Badhe, 72.24 (Holotype-AMH). ^\ .
Thallus crustose, corticolous, glaucous green, epiphloeodal, continuous, smooth to cracked, unevenly thickened, pseudocortex invisible, black hypothallus present. Ascomata lirelline, 3-7 mm long and 0.1-0.25 mm broad, simple to branched, immersed to emergent, irregularly curved, wavy, concolorous with the thallus, tapering acute apices; thalline margin entire, concolorous with the thallus, studded with crystals, encircling exciple; disc narrow, reddish-brown to blackish-brown, when open pruinose; exciple poorly developed, 2-5 striate, orange-brown, present at base, carbonized at apices, convergent, covered by a thick thalline margin up to the top; epihymenium brownish- black, made of interwoven apices of paraphyses tips; hymenium hyaline, not inspersed, 80-92 i^m tall, lateral and upper part KI+ blue; paraphyses branched, long, thin, septate, thickened, branched at apices and interwoven; asci 8-sporate. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, without gelatinous sheath, ovate, oblong, lumina lenticular, 46-63 x 17-25 i^m, 1+ violet. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC + yellow, P-; UV-; stictic acid present.
Habitat: The species has been collected in thick, semi-evergreen forest.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: Diorygma microsporum is somewhat close to D. poitaei (Fee) Kalb et al. as both species have a convergent, striate exciple, 8-sporate asci and smaller ascospores. However, they differ in chemistry. D. microsporum produces only stictic acid (major) while D. poitaei produces hypostictic, and hypoconstictic acids (major) and oc- acetylhypoconstictic, constictic and stictic acids (minor) in traces or absent. The new species is extremely rare and known by a single specimen.
100 Diorygma panchganiensis sp. nov. [Fig.: 152]
Type: India, Maharashtra, Satara District, Panchgani, Tata Holiday Home, 29.9.2003, U.V. Makhija & B.C. Behera, 03.371 (Holotype-AMH).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, grayish, epiphloeodal, continuous, smooth to rough, finely cracked, pseudocortex invisible, hypothallus distinctly black. Ascomata lirelline, 1-2 mm long and 0.5-1.3 mm broad, simple, semi-emergent, straight or curved, concolorous with the thallus; thalline margin raised, concolorous or paler than the thallus, entire, studded with crystals, encircling exciple; disc narrow, when open pruinose; exciple poorly developed, 2-3 striate, present at the base, thin, pale brown laterally, blackish-brown at apices, convergent; epihymenium dark blackish-brown to almost black, 15-20 i^m thick, covered by fine pruina; hymenium hyaline, not inspersed, 126- 200 |im tall, KI+ blue; paraphyses branched, long, thin, thickened, reticulately interwoven, compact at apices, forming the epihymenium; asci 1-2-sporate. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, ellipsoid, 75-99 x 24-30 ^m, 1+ violet. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P+ yellow; UV-; atranorin, norstictic and salazinic acids present.
Habitat: The specimens were collected at higher elevation in evergreen forest. The specimens have been found to be associated with Phaeophyscia pyrrophora.
Distribution: India (Maharashtara).
Remarks: Diorygma panchganiensis differs from the closely related Diorygma sp. 2 by the larger ascospores of 129-150 x 45-57 nm in that species.
Specimens Examined: Satara District, Panchgani, Tata Holiday Home, 29.9.2003, U.V. Makhija & B.C. Behera, 03.370, 03.372, 03.367, 03.368, 03.507.
Diorygma verrucosa sp. nov. [Fig. : 153]
Type: India, Maharashtra, Kolhapur District, Panhala, 13.10.1974, P.G. Patwardhan & C.R. Kulkami, 74.1103 (Holotype-AMH).
101 Thallus crustose, corticolous, grayish-green, epiphloeodal, continuous, verrucose, cracked, pseudocortex invisible, hypothallus absent. Ascomata lirelline, 0.5-1 mm long and 0.1-0.2 mm broad, simple, immersed to semi-emergent, irregularly curved, wavy, flexuous, scattered, concolorous with the thallus, ends rounded; thalline margin entire, studded with crystals, encircling exciple; disc moderately broad, blackish-brown, pruinose; exciple poorly developed, 3-4 striate, blackish-brown at the apical portion, concolorous with the thallus, smooth, present at the base, convergent, covered by a thick thalline margin up to the top; epihymenium black, 21-25 ^im thick; hymenium hyaline, not inspersed, 105-168 ^im tall, lateral and upper part KI+ blue; paraphyses branched, long, thin, septate, branched compact apices, interwoven; asci 1-2-sporate. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, without gelatinous sheath, elliptical, 160-294 x 42-84 |im, 1+ violet. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow to orange, C-, KC+ yellow, P+ yellow; UV-; constictic, connorstictic and stictic acids present.
Habitat: The species has been collected in moist evergreen forest.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: Diorygma verrucosa resembles D. megasporum in having convergent, poorly developed exciple with 3-4 indistinct striations, and a thick brownish-black epihymenium but differs from the latter species in having significantly larger (160-294 x 42-84 nm) ascospores. D. megasporum has smaller ascospores of 85-197 x 29-71 |am and contains constictic, cryptostictic and stictic acids.
Diorygma verrucosa somewhat resembles D. macgregorii (Vain.) Kalb et al. in having 1-2 sporate asci but D. verrucosa has large ascospores and it has stictic acid (major) whereas D. macgregorii has smaller ascospores of 135-185 x 40- 63 |im and has norstictic acid (major) but its type specimen is known to produce stictic and cryptostictic acid in minor quantities along with norstictic and connorstictic (major) acids Kalb et al. 2004).
102 Diorygma viridis sp. nov. [Fig- 154]
Type: India, Maharashtra, Kolhapur District, Amba, 17.10.1974, C.R. Kulkami & A.V. Prabhu, 74.1337 (Holotype-AMH).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, greenish-white to greenish-gray, epiphloeodal, continuous, smooth to cracked, sometimes warty, pseudocortex invisible, surrounded by a thin black hypothallus. Ascomata lirelline, whitish, narrow, 0.5-5 mm long and 0.1-0.2 mm broad, simple to rarely branched, immersed to semi-emergent, irregularly curved, flexuous, concolorous, obtuse apices; thalline margin entire, studded with crystals, encircling exciple; disc narrow slit like to broad, pruinose; exciple poorly developed, convergent, 2-3-striate, hyaline to yellowish-brown laterally, dark blackish-brown only at apices, present at the base, covered by a thick thalline exciple up to the top KI+ blue epihymenium hyaline to dark blackish-brown, well developed, 21-34 ^m thick hymenium hyaline, not inspersed, 105-168 ^m tall, lateral and upper part KI+ blue paraphyses branched, long, thin, septate, thickened at apices and interwoven; asci 1-2-4- sporate. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, ovate-oblong, without a gelatinous sheath, 80- 159 X 25-34 nm,l+violet. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC+ yellow, P-; UV-; cryptostictic, salazinic and stictic acids present.
Habitat: The specimens were collected on road sides where they were exposed to light.
Distribution: India (Maharashtara).
Remarks: The present species is somewhat similar to D. megasporum Kalb et al. in colour of thallus, ascomatal characters, convergent exciple and thick blackish-brown epihymenium but distinctly differs in ascospore size and chemistry.
Diorygma viridis has ascospores 1-4/ascus, 80-159 x 25-34 i^m in size, without a gelatinous sheath and produces cryptostictic, stictic and salazinic acids, while D. megasporum has ascospores 1-8/ascus, 85-197x 29-71 jam, with a 2-3 )j,m thick gelatinous sheath and produces constictic, stictic, and cryptostictic acids.
103 Specimens Examined: Sindhudurg District, Amboli to Sawantwadi Road, 7.10.2004, B.C. Behera & N. Verma, 04.352.
Diorygma vainioi sp. nov. [Fig.: 155]
Type: India, Maharashtra, Kolhapur District, Panhala, 11.12.2002, G.S. Chitale, 02.284 (Holotype-AMH).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, grayish, epiphloeodal, continuous, smooth to rough, finely cracked, pseudocortex indistinct, hypothallus absent. Ascomata lirelline, 1-2.5 mm long and 0.5-1.2 mm broad, simple, semi-emergent, straight or curved, concolorous, with the thallus; thalline margin raised, concolorous or paler than the thallus, entire, studded with crystals, encircling exciple; disc narrow, when open pruina seen; exciple poorly developed, 2-3 striate, present at the base, thin, pale brown laterally, blackish-brown at apices, convergent, covered by a thick, thalline margin up to the top; epihymenium dark blackish-brown to almost black, 15-20 ^m thick, covered by fine pruina; hymenium hyaline, not inspersed, 126-215 [am tall, KH- blue; paraphyses branched, long, thin, thickened, compact at apices; asci 1-2-sporate. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, ellipsoid, 129-150 X 45-57 nm, 1+ violet. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P+ yellow; UV-; atranorin, norstictic and salazinic acids present.
Habitat: The species has been collected along road side at higher elevation 750 m.
Distribution: India (Maharashtara).
Remarks: Diorygma vainioi resembles D. panchganiensis in respect of all morphological characters and chemistry except in the ascospore size. D. panchganiensis has much smaller ascospores of 75-99 x 24-30 |am.
Specimens Examined: Kolhapur District, Panhala, 11.12.2002, G.S. Chitale, 02.284. Pune District, Tamihini ghat, 7.10.2003, P. Rao & G.S. Chitale, 03.439.
104 Diorygma zahlbrucknerii sp. nov. [Fig.: 156]
Type: India, Maharashtra, Satara District, Mahabaleshwar, Lingmala, 21.1.2004, B.A. Adawadkar, 04.13 (Holotype-AMH).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, grayish-white, epiphloeodal, continuous, smooth to rough, deeply cracked and appears areolate, pseudocortex invisible, hypothallus black. Ascomata concolorous with the thallus, lirelline, 1-1.5 mm long and 0.2-0.5 mm broad, simple to branched, grouped, immersed, flush with the thallus; thalline margin raised, concolorous or paler than the thallus, entire, studded with crystals, encircling exciple; disc concolorous with the thallus, narrow, pruinose; exciple hyaline, poorly developed, 2- 3 striate, present at the base, thin, pale brown laterally, blackish-brown at apices, convergent; epihymenium dark blackish-brown, 10-20 |xm thick; hymenium hyaline, 105- 125 |im tall, KI+ blue; paraphyses branched, long, thin, thickened, interwoven, compact at apices; asci 1-sporate. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, ellipsoidal, 57-96 x 24-36 [im, 1+ violet. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P+ yellow; UV-; constictic, norstictic (trace), stictic acid and an unknown substance present.
Habitat: This species has been collected in semi-evergreen forest. The area receives heavy rains during the monsoon.
Distribution: India (Maharashtara).
Remarks: Diorygma zahlbrucknerii is somewhat similar to D. albovirescens in having similar chemistry and in the ascospore size. D. albovirescens, however, has a distinctly greenish-white thallus, lirellae up to 3 mm long, asci 4-8-sporate, and has constictic and stictic acid whereas the present species has grayish-white thallus, 1-1.5 mm long lirellae, asci 1-sporate and ascospores 57-96 x 24-36 ^im and has constictic, norstictic (trace), stictic acid and an unknown substance.
Specimens Examined: Ratnagiri District, Chiplun, 15.5.2004, G.S. Chitale, 04.87.
105 Genus : Diploschistes Norman (Thelotremataceae) Nyt. Mag. Naturvid, 7: 232 (1853).
The lichen genus Diploschistes is characterized by: thallus crustose, uniform or verrucose, ecorticate or with a cruciform layer, saxicolous, terricolous or muscicolous. Photobiont a green alga (Trebouxia-like or a protococcoid). Apothecia sunken or sessile, perithecioid or apothecioid, urceolate, proper exciple blackish, pseudoparenchymatous, thalline exciple covering the proper exciple from outside; Periphysoides present; hymenium not inspersed, hypothecium colourless. Paraphyses simple or apically branched. Asci 2-4-8-spored, unitunicate, thin walled, I-. Ascospores colourless or brown to dark brown, submuriform to multicelled-muriform. Pycnoconidia cylindrical, elongate, straight.
Diploschistes is a cosmopolitan genus, widely spread in the tropical regions, comprising about 35 species at the world level (Kirk et al, 2001). Awasthi (1991) has enumerated 9 species of this genus from the Indian subcontinent. Subsequently, Pant & Upreti (1993) added six more species and thus, 15 species are now known from the Indian subcontinent (Awasthi, 2000). Only one species, Diploschistes scruposus (Schreb.) Norman was earlier reported from the state of Maharashtra (Patwardhan & Badhe, 1972). In the present studies two more species namely D. cf rampoddensis (Nyl.) Zahlbr. and Diploschistes sp. 1 have been recorded for the first time from Maharashtra.
Key to the species oi Diploschistes from Maharashtra la. Apothecia perithecioid Thallus yellowish-brown; apothecia immersed, black, 0.2-0.3 mm in diam.; ascospores 9-10-transseptate, and vertically 3-4-septate, 21-24 x 6-9 ^m; no lichen substances present Diploschistes sp. 1
1 b. Apothecia ± apothecioid 2
2a. Lecanoric acid present Thallus gray to ashy gray; apothecia pale brown, urceolate, 0.2-0.5 mm in diam.; ascospores 5-8-transseptate and vertically 8-13-septate, 18-25 x 10-18 \im D. scruposus
106 2b. Lecanoric acid absent Thallus brownish-gray; apothecia immersed, black, 0.25-0.5 mm in diam.; ascospores 3-5-transseptate, vertically 3-4-septate, 21-24 x 12-15 ^m; gyrophoric acid present £>. cf. rampoddensis
Diploschistes cf. rampoddensis (Nyl.) Zahlbr. [Figs.: 77, 78 & 157] Cat. Lick Univ., 2: 665 (1924). = Urceolaria rampoddensis Nyl. ActaSoc. Sci. Fennic., 26(10): 18 (1900).
Thallus crustose, saxicolous, brownish-gray, slightly powdery, granular, areolate, cracked, 180-210 ^m thick, embedded with large crystals, more than one apothecia per areole; hypothallus not very distinct, whitish. Apothecia ± apothecioid, immersed, black, 0.25-0.5 mm in diam; disc wide, depressed in the centre; exciple carbonized at the tips, and hyaline to light brownish at base, inner side of exciple, lined with periphysoides; periphysoides simple, thick smooth, nonseptate; epihymenium light brown, 6-9 ^m thick, K-; hymenium hyaline, 105-120 |im tall, KI+ blue; subhymenium hyaline, 15-51 ^m thick; hypothecium hyaline; paraphyses simple, nonseptate, branched at tips; asci 8- sporate, unitunicate, 90-105 x 24-30 nm, KI+ blue. Ascospores hyaline (young), to brown, slightly round to ellipsoidal, muriform with small cells, 3-5-transseptate and vertically 3-4-septate, 21-27(-30) x 12-15 ^m. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C+ rose, KC-, P-; UV-; gyrophoric acid present.
Habitat: This species has been collected on sandstone and siliceous rocks.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra). Remarks: The present species most closely resembles Diploschites rampoddensis in having similar morphological characters, but differs in having slightly larger ascospores and has different chemistry in having gyrophoric acid in its thallus. D. rampoddensis (Nyl.) Zahlbr. is distinguished by its saxicolous, verrucose thallus, apothecioid ascomata, 8-spored asci, (15-) 18-24(-27) x 6-9 (-12) i^m ascospores and the presence of lecanoric acid (Pant & Upreti, 1993).
107 Diploschistes cf. rampoddensis is also comparable to D. ocellatus (Vill.) Norman in respect of the morphology of the thallus and in the ascospore size, however, D. ocellatus has norstictic and connorstictic acid in its thallus.
Specimens Examined: Pune District, Durgwadi, 17.9.2004, G.S. Chitale, 04.162; Purandar fort, 13.9.2002, U.V. Makhija & G.S. Chitale, 02.51, 02.52, 02.64; Sinhagad, 4.7.2003, A.V. Dube & N. Verma, 03.66; 4.7.2003, G.S. Chitale & A.V. Dube, 03.80, 03.82. Satara District, Panchgani-Table Land, 21.1.2004, B.C. Behera, 04.50, 04.51 ;1973, P.G. Patwardhan & P.D. Badhe, 73.161.
Diploschistes scruposus (Schreb.) Norman Nyt. Mag. Naturvid, 7: 232 (1853). = Lichen scruposus Schreb. Spic.Fl. Lips., U3{\77\).
Thallus crustose, saxicolous, 2-10 cm across, gray to ashy gray, determinate. Apothecia apothecioid pale brown, immersed (sunken), sessile, 0.2-0.4 mm in diam., urceolate, lecanorine; disc concave, epuinose; hymenium hyaline, 190-224 ^m tall; hypothecium indistinct; asci 8-sporate, unitunicate, simple, clavate, 99-126 x 18-27 iim; paraphyses bulged at the tip. Ascospores olivaceous green to brown when mature, muriform, 5-8 transseptate and vertically 8-13-septate, globose, uni-or biseriate, mostly uniseriate, 18-25 x 10-18 ^m. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; lichen substances not known.
Habitat: The specimen has been collected in the shaded places on rocks in deciduous forest.
Distribution: India (Jammu & Kashmir, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and N.W. Karakorum). Australia, Canada-USA, Sri Lanka (Ceylon), Nepal and New Zealand.
Remarks: Diploschistes scruposus was earlier recorded by Patwardhan & Badhe (1972) from Maharashtra. The description has been taken from this earlier record. According to
108 Pant & Upreti (1993) D. scruposus has lecanoric and diploschistic acid. The specimen on which the record of this species from Maharashtra [Pune District, Purandar, 1971, P.G. Patwardhan, No. 201-AMH (1971)] was based, however, is not available for my studies and hence its identity cannot be verified. This species is known to have a wide distribution.
Diploschistes sp. 1 [Fig- 158]
Thallus crustose, saxicolous, yellowish-brown, areolate; areoles angular, 0.5-1.5 mm wide, cracked, 10-15 ^m thick; hypothallus black. Apothecia black, perithecioid, immersed, 1-2 per areole, 0.2-0.3 mm in diam.; disc blackish to concolorous with the thallus, small, epruinose; exciple brownish-black; periphysoides simple, smooth, nonseptate; epihymenium hyaline, indistinct; hymenium hyaline, 90-105 (-120) |im tall, not inspersed with crystals and oil globules, KI-; paraphyses simple, nonseptate; hypothecium hyaline, but not well differentiated, ca. 6-9 ^m thick; asci 8-sporate, unitunicate. Ascospores hyaline to light brown, submuriform, smooth, 9-10-transseptate and vertically 3-4-septate, 21-24 x 6-9 ^m, KI-. Chemistry: Thallus K-; C-; KC-; P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: The species has been collected on sandstone and siliceous rocks.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: The present species closely resembles Diploschistes euganeus (A. Massal.) Steiner, in having perithecioid apothecia and thallus lacking lichen substances but differs from D. euganeus in having slightly smaller ascospores. D. euganeus (A. Massal.) Steiner has ascospores of 24-36 x 15-18 |am. Presently, I prefer to keep this species unnamed until further studies can be done.
Specimens Examined: Pune District, Boma Hills, 18.9.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.750; C.R. Kulkami & A.V. Prabhu, 74.748, 74.747. Raigad District. Kamala, 16.9.2002, U.V. Makhija & B.A. Adawadkar, 02.98. Sindhudurg District, Amboli-Sunset Point, 8.12.1974, P.G. Patwardhan & A.V. Prabhu, 74.2312.
109 Genus : Diplotomma Flot. (Physciaceae) Lichenogr. Scandin., 1: 607 (1849).
The lichen genus Diplotomma is characterized by: thallus crustose, ecorticate or with a corticiform layer, generally corticolous, but also on rocks, soil or mosses. Photobiont a green alga {Trehouxia). Apothecia round, black, lecideine, sessile, exciple brown or black, epihymenium brown or olive, hymenium with or without oil globules. Paraphyses subclavate at apices. Asci 8-spored, bitunicate. Ascospores brown to dark brown, 2-5- transseptate, or submuriform to muriform, thick walled.
The genus Diplotomma is widely spread and known by 15 species worldwide (Kirk et al, 2001) and is well studied by S. Singh & Awasthi [1989(1990)]. As many as 13 species are known from the Indian subcontinent [(Awasthi, 1991, 2000; S. Singh & Awasthi, 1989 (1990)]. The genus is being reported for the first time from Maharashtra.
Key to the species oi Diplotomma from Maharashtra
1 a. Thallus corticolous Thallus verrruculose, slightly squamulose; hypothecium dark brown to black, K-, HNO3-; internal stipe reddish-brown; ascospores 3-5-transseptate, thin walled to submuriform, 9-28 x 6-10 ^m; atranorin present D. alboatrior
lb. Thallus saxicolous Thallus mealy powdery, areolate, cracked; hypothecium dark reddish-brown, K+ reddish, HNO3-; internal stipe reddish-brown; ascospores slightly curved, 1-3- transseptate, verruculose, 15-18x6-7 nm; atranorin present Diplotomma sp. 1
Diplotomma alboatrior (Nyl.) Szatala ex Awasthi & Singh [Figs.: 8, 48 & 159] Geophytology, 19(2): 174 (1989). = Lecidea alboatrior Nyl. F/ora, 52: 71 (1869).
no Thallus crustose, corticolous, greenish-gray, subverrruculose, somewhat squamulose, cracked; hypothallus indistinct. Apothecia black, immersed, adnate to subsessile, glossy, mostly round to sometimes irregular in shape, solitary to rarely grouped, 0.2-0.8 mm in diam.; disc black, flat to concave, epruinose; exciple not prominent; epihymenium light brown; hymenium hyaline, to light brown, not inspersed, 60-66 ^m thick; paraphyses simple or with short lateral branches; subhymenium light yellow; hypothecium dark brown to black, 60-135 ^m thick, K-, HNO3-; internal stipe reddish brown; asci 8-sporate, bitunicate, clavate, 21-45 x 12-15 |j.m, tholus KI+ blue. Ascospores dark brown, submuriform, 3-5-transseptate, 2-3-vertical septa, 9-28 x 6-10 |im. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P+ yellow; UV-; atranorin present.
Habitat: Diplotomma alboatrior has been collected from the dry deciduous forests.
Distribution: India (Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and West Bengal).
Remarks: Diplotomma alboatrior is an endemic species distributed in the dry tropical regions of India. This species is being reported for the first time from Maharashtra.
Specimen Examined: Chandrapur District, Tadoba, Colony Road, 24.8.2000, V.A. Mantri 8c K.R. Randive, 00.79.
Diplotomma sp. 1 [Fig. 160]
Thallus crustose, saxicolous, grayish-white, mealy powdery, areolate, cracked, hypothallus not seen. Apothecia black, round, oblong to irregular, numerous, crowded, initially immersed, to slightly emergent, solitary, or 3-5 in a group, 0.2-0.8 (-1.1) mm in diam.; disc black, flat to convex, epruinose; exciple blackish to gray, later indistinct, K-; epihymenium light brown, 6-12 |am thick, K-; hymenium hyaline, 75-90 \im tall; paraphyses simple; hypothecium dark reddish-brown, 120-150 i^m thick, K+ reddish; internal stipe reddish-brown; asci 8-sporate, bitunicate, clavate, thin walled. Ascospores
111 brown, ellipsoidal, slightly curved, ends obtuse, 1-3-transseptate, only 1 septum distinct the other two not very distinct, verruculose, 15-18 x 6-7 |im. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; atranorin present.
Habitat: The specimen has been collected in dry deciduous forest, on basaltic rock at higher elevation.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: Diplotomma manipurense (Kr. P. Singh & S. R. Singh) Kr. P. Singh & S.R. Singh, is the only saxicolous species of Diplotomma known from India which, however, has larger ascospores of 18-27 (-36) x 7-11 ^m and produces norstictic acid. Although the present species appears to be a new species I do not wish to describe it formally based on a single specimen.
Specimen Examined: Satara District, Ajinkyatara, 2.8.2004, G.S. Chitale, 04.96.
Genus: Dyplolabia A. Massal. (Graphidaceae) Neagenea lichenum, 6 (1854).
The lichen genus Dyplolabia is characterized by: thallus crustose, corticolous, usually epi- or endophloeodal, rarely saxicolous or foliicolous. Photobiont a green alga (Trentepohlia). Apothecia lirellate, usually elongate, simple or variously branched, distinctly emergent, labia completely covered by a powdery white thalline layer, appearing black only when exposed or rubbed. Exciple not striate, laterally or completely carbonized, converging at the apical region, thick; hypothecium thin. Asci clavate to subcylindrical, (1-) 2-4-8-spored. Ascospores colourless, transversely septate, or muriform, locules lentiform, I- or 1+ blue violet, lecanoric acid, (C+ red) present.
The genus Dyplolabia A. Massal. (sensu Staiger, 2002) is knovm by only two species at the world level, namely D. afzelli (Ach.) A. Massal. and D. oryzoides (Leight.) Kalb & Staiger. One species of this genus D. afzelli (Ach.) A. Massal. is so far known
112 from the Indian subcontinent. In the present studies two species have been recorded from Maharahstra.
Key to the species of Dyplolabia from Maharashtra la. Only lecanoric acid present D. afzellii
1 b. An unknown substance along with lecanoric acid present D. indica
Dyplolabia afzelii (Ach.) A. Massal. [Fig.: 161] Neagenea lichenum, 6 (1854). = Graphis afzelii Ach. Syn. Meth. Lich.,^5 {\UA).
Thallus yellow to pale olivaceous buff to dark brownish tan to gray, smooth, thick. Ascomata white, lirelline, 1-6 mm long and 0.2-0.7 mm broad, mostly simple to occasionally branched or forked, distinctly emergent, straight, curved, flexuose, scattered all over, usually completely covered by a powdery white thalline layer, appearing black only where this layer is rubbed, terminally obtuse; disc narrow, slit like, not visible in surface view; exciple entire, present at the base, laterally carbonized, converging at the apical portion, covered by a thick thalline exciple till the top; epihymenium greenish- brown to dark brown, 14-28 |jm thick; hymenium hyaline, clear, 80-115 ^xm tall, I-, K/I-; hypothecium reddish-brown to yellowish-orange, 10-12 |xm thick, paraphyses simple, long, thin, filiform, septate, thickened at the apices; asci 8-sporate, cylindrical. Ascospores hyaline, ellipsoidal, always with 3-transseptate, 14-20 x 6-8 \im, I-. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, KC-, C+ red, P-; UV-; lecanoric acid present.
Habitat: The specimens have been collected in semi-evergreen forest.
Distribution: India (Andaman Islands, Kamataka, Maharashtra, Meghalaya and Nagaland), Africa, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Cuba, Dominica, Franz-Guyana, Guyana, Java, Mexico, Papua-Neuguinea, Peru, Philippines, Singapore, North & South America and Sri Lanka.
113 Remarks: Dyplolabia afzelii, a common pantropical species, earlier reported as Graphis afzelii Ach., is unlikely to be confused with any other species in this family in India by virtue of the presence of lecanoric acid and can be distinguished by its ascomata, with thick, covered by a powdery white thalline layer and laterally carbonized exciple.
Dyplolabia afzelii, apparently with broad ecological amplitude, apart from Maharashtra has also been collected from rain forests of Andaman and Nicobar Island, as well as at higher elevations in Meghalaya and Nagaland and also at lower elevation in Kamataka.
Specimens Examined: Ratnagiri District, Nerur, 16.3.1975, A.V. Prabhu, 75.478, 75.479; Nivali Village, 5.12.1974, C.R. Kulkami, 74.2108.
Dyplolabia indica adint [Fig.: 162]
The specimen at hand differs from Dyplolabia afzelii (Ach). A. Massal. in having an unknown substance, in addition to lecanoric acid, indicated by distinct yellow spot at Rf class3 (at stictic acid level) on the TLC plate in TEF. The other characters are exactly identical to the species Dyplolabia afzelii.
In Maharashtra, this species is known by only a single specimen. Nevertheless, it has also been discovered from Andaman Islands, Kamataka and Meghalaya by my colleagues and it is certainly a new species. Since the unknown substance has not been identified as yet, I do not wish to describe this species formally in the present treatment.
Habitat: The specimen has been collected in semi-evergreen forest from Maharashtra but however it has been collected from different forest area like rain forest of Andaman.
Distribution: India (Andaman Islands, Kamataka and Meghalaya).
Specimen Examined: Ratnagiri District, Nivali Village, Chiplun to Hatkhamba road, 5.12.1974, C.R. Kulkami, 74.2062.
114 Genus: Fissurina Fee (Graphidaceae) Meth. Lick etgenera.,: 35 (1824).
The lichen genus Fissurina Fee is characterized by: thallus crustose, corticolous or saxicolous. Cortex mostly well developed, prosoplectenchymatous with periclinal hyphae. Ascocarps lirellate, fissurine, chroodiscoid, ± crenate margins consisting of loosely connected hyaline hyphae and transparent to grayish granules. Exciple uncarbonized, or only small areas brownish (slightly carbonized), often poorly developed, partly crenate and with internal striae, convergent; disc not visible, slit like, completely concealed by the margins. Paraphyses parallel, not connected, little branched or unbranched, hyaline, tips may or may not be warty. Periphysoids present, occurring at the upper and inner parts of the labia (may or may not be warty surface). Asci 4-8-spored "Grap/iw-type". Ascospores hyaline, transseptate, or muriform, ovoid or globose, mostly thick walled, 4-locular, or muriform, locules lens-shaped or globose, 1+ weakly bluish or I-, with jelly-like perispore, or halo.
In the recent revisionary studies on graphidiod lichens (Staiger & Kalb, 1999, Staiger, 2002), the genus Fissurina Fee was reinstated on account of the occurrence of spiny periphysoids and /or paraphyses tips and reported 20 species in this genus. Consequently, five South East Asian species in Graphidaceae have been transferred to the genus Fissurina; namely, F. flavicans (Kashiw.) M. Nakan. & Kashiw., F. fujisanensis (Kashiw. & M. Nakan.) M. Nakan. & Kashiw., F. inabensis (Vain.) M. Nakan. &. Kashiw., F. subtropica (M. Nakan.) M. Nakan. & Kashiw., and F. undulata (Miill. Arg.) M. Nakan. & Kashiw. (Nakanishi et al, 2003). Archer (2005, 2006) has also reported additional eight species namely, Fissurina abdita (A.W. Archer) A.W. Archer, F. albonitens (Mull. Arg.) A.W. Archer, F. elaiocarpa (A.W. Archer) A.W. Archer, F. elixii (A.W. Archer) A.W. Archer, F. howeana (A.W. Archer) A.W. Archer, F. nigririmis var. deficiens (A.W. Archer) A.W. Archer, F. psoromica (A.W. Archer) A.W. Archer, and F. streimannii (A.W. Archer) A.W. Archer from Australia.
115 Recently, Makhija & Adawadkar (2007) recorded sixteen species and a variety of Fissurina, having hyaline, transseptate ascospores from India. In the present studies on the lichens of Maharashtra, Fissurina cingalina (Nyl.) Staiger v^ith hyaline, muriform, ascospores has been recorded from this region.
Fissurina cingalina (Nyl.) Staiger [Figs.: 79,80 & 163] Bibl. Lick, 85: 128 (2002). = Graphis cingalina Nyl. Acta Soc. Sci. Fenn., 26(10): 21 (1900).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, epiphloeodal, continuous, smooth to cracked, pale olivaceous buff to glaucous gray. Ascomata lirelline, small, 0.5-2.0 mm long, narrow, fissure-like, simple, immersed to semi-emergent, concolorous, tapering subacute apices; thalline margin entire, studded with crystals, encircling exciple; disc narrow, sunken epruinose; exciple entire, brown, non-carbonized, indistinctly present at the base, converging at the apical portion, covered by a thick thalline margin up to the top; epihymenium hyaline, indistinct; hymenium hyaline, not inspersed, 96-112 |im, tall, KI-; paraphyses simple, long, thin, filiform, septate, thickened at the apices, indistinctly warty; periphysoides indistinctly warty; asci 4-8-sporate. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, fusiform-oblong, 21-38 x 13-21 ^m, 1+ blue, with an indistinct halo. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: The specimens have been collected from semi-evergreen forest.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra), Pacific, Sri Lanka, Tropical Asia, North and South America.
Remarks: Fissurina cingalina has an ascomatal structure of "dumastii-type''- exciple laterally and basally poorly developed, thalline margin overarching the hymenium, and the inner sides of the margin slightly thickened (Staiger, 2002). This species has been reported for the first time from Maharashtra.
116 Specimens Examined: Satara District, Mahabaleshwar, Dhobi Ghat, 9.3.1974, M.B. Nagarkar, 74.640; Pratapgad Road, C.R. Kulkami, s.n.. Sindhudurg District, Amboli, 18.10.1974, C.R. Kulkami & A.V. Prabhu, 74.1427; Amboli, Shirgaonkar Point, 10.10.2000, U.V. Makhija, 00.496.
Genus: Glyphis Ach. (Graphidaceae) Syn. Meth. Lick, 106 (1814).
The lichen genus Glyphis Ach. is characterized by: thallus crustose, epi- or endophloeodal, with or without corticiform layer. Photobiont a green alga {Trentepohlia). Apothecia sunken in stroma, radially crowded, simple or branched, linear lirellate or round, disc open, exciple brown to brown-black, complete. Paraphyses simple, free. Asci 4-8-spored, unitunicate. Ascospores colourless, 3-11-septate, elongate-ellipsoid to fusiform, 1+ blue or violet-blue, locules lentiform.
The lichen genus Glyphis, with 5 species, is widely spread in the tropical regions of the world (Staiger, 2002). Only three species of this genus namely G. cicatricosa Ach., G. confluens Zenker, and G. duriuscula Stirt. have so far been recorded from the Indian subcontinent (Awasthi, 2000).
This genus with one species Glyphis cicatricosa Ach. has been recorded for the first time from Maharashtra.
Glyphis cicatricosa Ach. [Figs.: 81, 82, 83 & 164] Syn. Meth. Lick, \Q1 {n\A).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, yellowish-brown, thin, smooth to rough, uneven, nonsorediate, nonisidiate, 30-51 ^m thick; hypothallus distinctly black. Stroma greenish- white, round to irregular, flush to slightly raised, 2-3 mm wide. Apothecia embedded in stroma, round, linear to lirellate, broad, to less than 0.2 mm wide; disc wide open, light brown to black, epruinose; exciple brownish-black to black; epihymenium light brown, 15-24 |am thick, K-; hymenium hyaline, not inspersed with crystals and oil globules, 84-
117 105 iim tall, KI-; hypothecium black; paraphyses simple, light brown; asci 4-8-sporate, unitunicate, 90-96 x 21-27 |am, KI+ blue. Ascospores hyaline, 6-8 (-10)- transseptate, 27- 39x6-9 i^m, 1+ violet, halo indistinct. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: Glyphis cicatricosa has been collected only in semi-evergreen forests.
Distribution: India (Kamataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal), Africa, Australia, Brazil, Hawaii, North & South America, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Vietnam.
Remarks: According to Staiger (2002) ascospores in Glyphis cicatricosa Ach. possess a halo of up to 5 ^m thick but in the specimens studied below, the halo is indistinct.
Glyphis cicatricosa is the most common species of this genus in the Western ghats of South India.
Specimens Examined: Ratnagiri District, Dabhole ghat; Radhanagari-Kolhapur Road, 5.12.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.2049. Sindhudurg District, Ajra-Amboli Road, 7.12.1974, A.V. Prabhu & P.G. Patwardhan, 74.2257; Amboli, 18.12.1974, P.G. Patwardhan & A.V. Prabhu, 74.2360; on the way to Kasal from Sawantwadi, 11.10.2000, U.V. Makhija & B.C. Behera, 00.249; Ajra to Amboli Road, Suleran, 6.10.2004, N. Verma, 04.345; on the way to Amboli, from Ajra, 10.10.2000, U.V. Makhija & B.A. Adawadkar, 00.188, 00.189.
Genus: Graphis Adans. (Graphidaceae) Fam. Plant.,1\ 11(1763).
The lichen genus Graphis Adans. is characterized by: thallus crustose, corticolous, epi- or endophloeodal, rarely saxicolous or foliicolous. Photobiont a green alga (Trentepohlia); ascomata lirellate, usually elongate, simple or variously branched, rarely short oryzaeform, immersed in thallus or emergent, sessile; exciple totally or partially but
118 distinctly carbonized, labia well developed, convergent, entire or crenate-sulcate; paraphyses simple, not thickened at apices; asci clavate to subcylindrical, (1-) 2-4-8 spored, unitunicate. Ascospores colourless, 3- to many transseptate, or muriform, locules lentiform, 1+ blue violet (Staiger, 2002).
The lichen genus Graphis sensu Mull. Arg. (1880, 1882) is a widely spread genus in the tropical regions of the world, with about 300 species known at the world level (Kirk at al, 2001). However, in the present treatment the new system of Staiger (2002), has been followed.
Recently, Adawadkar & Makhija who are currently undertaking a detailed survey of the family Graphidaceae, so far recorded 94 species of the genus Graphis sensu Staiger from the Indian subcontinent (Adawadkar & Makhija, 2004, 2006, 2007 and Makhija &. Adawadkar, 2005 a & b; Makhija et al, 2005 b-in press).
In the present treatment 22 species of Graphis have been recorded from Maharashtra. Three species namely G. pyrrocheiloides Vain. G. persulcata Stirt. and G. subducta Vain, have been recorded for the first time from Maharashtra and two species namely G. librata C. Knight and G. parilis Kremp. have been recorded for the first time from India. 10 species have been described as new to science. Apart from this one new combination has also been proposed. Part of the results based on the present studies have been published (Adawadkar & Makhija, 2007; Makhija et al, 2005 b-in press).
Key to the species of Graphis from Maharashtra
1. Ascospores hyaline, transseptate Group I
2. Ascospores hyaline, muriform Group II
Group I (Ascospores hyaline, transseptate)
1 a. Exciple entire 2 lb. Exciple striate 6
119 2a. Ascospores exceeding 50 \xm in length Thallus brownish to greenish-gray, smooth; ascomata 0.5-6 mm long, concolorous with the thallus; disc broad, pruinose; exciple may or may not be present at base, laterally carbonized; ascospores 8-16-transseptate, 25-60 x 5-11 i^m; norstictic acid present G. pyrrocheiloides
2b. Ascospores not exceeding 50 \im in length 3
3a. Ascomata more than 5 mm long 4
3b. Ascomata less than 5 mm long 5
4a. Thallus whitish-gray; ascomata 1-8 mm long, black; disc pruinose; exciple present at base, laterally carbonized; ascospores 5-8-transseptate, 20-38 x 5-8 [am; constictic, stictic acids present G. modesta
4b. Thallus whitish, smooth; ascomata 1-8 mm long, black; disc epruinose; exciple present at base, laterally carbonized; ascospores 8-11-transseptate, 25-50 x 7- 10 |am; norstictic and stictic acids present G. guimarana
5a. Thallus greenish glaucous to olivaceous buff, smooth to minutely warty; ascomata 1- 4 mm long, black; exciple present at base, laterally carbonized; ascospores 9-11- transseptate, (20-) 30-40 x 6-8 |am; constictic, norstictic and stictic acids present G. ajarekarii
5b. Thallus buff to greenish-brown, rough, smooth to plicate; ascomata 1-2.5 mm long, black; exciple present below, laterally carbonized; ascospores 3-10-transseptate, 17- 42 x 5-9 |im; constictic and norstictic acids G. librata
6a. Ascospores exceeding 100 \xm in length Thallus whitish-gray to greenish-gray; ascomata 0.1-7 mm long, black; exciple with 2-13 striae on each side, partially to completely ceirbonized; ascospores oblong, 12- 24-transseptate, with one end acute, 25-109 x 4-8 [xm; no lichen substances present G. polystriata
6b. Ascospores not exceeding 100 |am in length 7
7a. Lichen substances absent 8
7b. Lichen substances present 9
8a. Thallus off white; ascomata 1-5 mm long, black; exciple completely carbonized present at base, multistriate; ascospores 21-35 x 4-8 |im; no lichen substances present G. duplicata
120 8b. Thallus olivaceous buff to citrine green; ascomata 0.5-3 mm long, black; exciple 3-4 striate on each side; ascospores 30-45 x 6-10 [im; no lichen substances present G. persulcata
9a. Thallus grayish-green, verruculose; ascomata black, 0.5-4 mm long: exciple carbonized only at the tips, present below, with 3-4 striae on each side; ascospores 21 -39 X 4-7 |im; stictic acid present G. vittata
9b. Thallus whitish-gray; ascomata 0.5-6 mm long, concolorous, more or less effuse; exciple entire to mostly 2-4 striae on each side, indistinctly present at the base, carbonized at the tip; ascospores 21-49 x 4-6 \im; constictic, connorstictic, and norstictic acids present G. nerurensis
Group n (Ascospores hyaline, muriform) la. Exciple completely carbonized Thallus whitish-gray to light greenish-gray; ascomata mostly immersed, to rarely slightly emergent, 0.1-11 mm long and 0.1-0.25 mm broad; exciple convergent, without striae, completely carbonized; ascospores 67-118 x 17-29 ^m; norstictic acid present G. subserpentina
1 b. Exciple partially carbonized 2
2a. Exciple laterally carbonized Thallus grayish-white to dirty white; ascomata grayish-white to dirty white to blackish, 0.1-3 mm long and 0.1 mm broad, branched, immersed to semi-emergent; exciple laterally carbonized, 4-5 striate, convergent; ascospores 25-42 x 13-17 jim; constictic and stictic acids present G. maharashtriana
2b. Exciple apically brown or carbonized 3
3a. Lichen substances absent 4
3b. Lichen substances present 5
4a. Thallus yellowish to pale white; ascomata 0.2-1.2 mm long, less than 0.1 mm broad, simple to rarely branched, immersed to semi-emergent; exciple orange-brown, 1-2 striate, apically carbonized; ascospores 39-42 x 15-17 ^m, with 3 |am thick gelatinous sheath G. disparata
4b. Thallus greenish-gray; ascomata 1-3.2 mm long and 0.1-0.25 mm broad, simple to rarely branched, with short branches, semi-emergent; exciple 1-5 striate, apically carbonized; ascospores 59-71 x 13-17 [im; no lichen substances present G. glaucorufescens
121 /-^/r""^% 5a. Ascospores exceeding 100 |J.m in length 6
5b. Ascospores not exceeding 100 (am in length 7
6a. Thallus grayish-green to brownish-green; ascomata emergent, 1-8 mm long and 0.1- 0.2 mm broad; exciple convergent, entire, apically carbonized; ascospores 76-109 x 25-29 \im; stictic, constictic and salazinic acids present G. emergenata
6b. Thallus greenish-yellow; ascomata 1.5-7 mm long and 0.1-0.6 mm broad, simple to sparsely branched, semi-emergent; exciple 1-5 striate, yellowish-brown, apically carbonized, convergent; ascospores 63-101 x 17-21^m; stictic acid present
G. parilis
7a. Ascospores not exceeding 50 |im in length 8
7b. Ascospores exceeding 50 \im. (< 100 ^m in length 9 8a. Thallus grayish; ascomata simple to rarely branched, triradiate, curved, emergent, 1- 1.5 mm long, 0.2-0.5 mm broad; exciple concolorous with the thallus, 3-4 striae, convergent, apically carbonized; ascospores 24-33 x 9-12 ^m; stictic and constictic acids present G. subducta
8b. Thallus pale yellow to white; ascomata 1-6 mm long and 0.1-0.2 mm broad, simple to branched, semi-emergent to emergent; exciple, 1-4-striate, apically carbonized; ascospores 34-42 x 16-21 |jm; stictic acid and an unidentified substance G. archerii
9a. Only stictic acid present 10
9b. Stictic and other acids present 11
10a. Thallus greenish-yellow; ascomata concolorous with the thallus, 1-10 mm long and 0.2-0.5 mm broad, dendroidly branched, totally immersed, semi-emergent, or emergent; exciple yellowish-brovm, apically carbonized, convergent, 3-8 striate; ascospores 46-76 x 13-17 |im; stictic, acid present G. stictiglaucorufa
10b. Thallus pale glaucous green; ascomata black, short, 0.5-2.0 mm long, emergent; exciple striate, with 4-5 striae on each side, convergent, pale brown, apically carbonized; ascospores 45-65 x 12-16 ^m; stictic acid present G. panhalensis
1 la. Thallus white to slightly gray; ascomata black, 1-3 mm long and 0.2-0.5 mm broad, simple to branched, triradiate, emergent; exciple convergent, apically and laterally carbonized, 1-3 striate; ascospores muriform, 45-60 x 12-15 |im with 1.3 \im thick gelatinous sheath; stictic and constictic acids present Graphis sp, 1
122 lib. Thallus grayish-yellow; ascomata concolorous with the thallus, 1-3 (-4) mm long and 0.1-0.2 mm broad, simple to branched, semi-emergent to emergent; exciple 4-5 striate, blackish-brown at apices, convergent; ascospores 38-72 x 17-21 (im; salazinic (trace), stictic acid and an unidentified substance G. asperata
Graphis ajarekarii Patw. & C.R. Kulkarni [Figs: 13 «& 165]
Norweg. J. Bot., 26: 45 (1979).
Type: India, Kamataka, Coorg, Khushalnagar, leg. C.R. Kulkarni & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.3281 (Holotype-AMH) !.
Thallus crustose, corticolous, glaucous green to olivaceous buff, smooth to warty, thick. Ascomata lirelline, black, semi-emergent to immersed, simple, rarely dendroidly branched, straight, curved, 0.5-4.0 mm long, with obtuse ends; disc narrow, slit like; exciple complete, present below, entire, laterally carbonized, partially covered by thalline exciple; epihymenium indistinct; hymenium hyaline, clear, 100-120 [am tall, K1-; hypotheicum pale yellowish to hyaline, thin; asci 8-sporate. Ascospores hyaline, 8-12- transseptate, (20-) 30-40 x 6-8 ^m, 1+ violet. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P+ yellow; UV-; constictic, norstictic, and stictic acids present.
Habitat: The species was collected in semi-evergreen forest in open places on the road sides.
Distribution: India (Kamataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu).
Remarks: Graphis ajarekarii Patw. & C.R. Kulkarni was reported to be very close to G. nigroglauca Leight., a species from Ceylon, in ascospore size and chemistry but differs in exciple characters and morphology. G. nigroglauca has distinctly emergent, black, simple lirellae with indistinct thalline margin and completely carbonized exciple.
Specimens Examined: Ratnagiri District, Nerur, 16.3.1975, P.G. Patwardhan, 75.458; Nivali, 5.12.1974, P.G. Patwardhan, 74.2144. Sindhudurg District, Ajra to Amboli, 7.12.1974, P.G. Patwardhan, 74.2256.
123 Graphis archerii sp.no\. [Fig- 167]
Type: India, Maharashtra, Kolhapur District, Panhala Fort, 13.10.1974, P.G. Patwardhan & C.R. Kulkami, 74.1144 (Holotype-AMH).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, epiphloeodal, uniform, continuous, pale yellow to white in colour, smooth to cracked, surrounded by thin, black hypothallus. Ascomata lirelline, 1-6 mm long and 0.1-0.2 mm broad, simple to branched at apices forked crowded, semi-emergent to emergent, curved, wavy, flexuous, scattered, concolorous, with the thallus, terminally acute or obtuse; thalline margin up to the top, studded with crystals, encircling exciple; disc broad, brownish-black, epruinose; exciple 1-4-striate, apically carbonized, converging at the apical portion, covered by a thick thalline margin up to the top; epihymenium slightly brownish; hymenium hyaline, clear, 84-100 |am tall, KI-; paraphyses simple, long, thin, septate, thickened, brownish at apices; asci 8- sporate. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, without a gelatinous sheath, fusiform-oblong, 34- 42 X 16-21 ^m,I+violet. Chemistry: Thallus K+, C-, KC-, P+ orange, UV-; stictic acid and an unidentified substance indicated by gray spot in TDA & TEF at Rf class 1 present.
Habitat: The species has been collected in moist open forests at higher elevation.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: Graphis archerii, a new species, can easily be distinguished by its crowded, simple to branched lirellae, 1-4-striate, apically carbonized exciple, 8-sporate asci, muriform ascospores of 34-42 x 16-21 i^m and by the presence of stictic acid and an unidentified substance (gray spot at Rf class 1 in TDA & TEF).
Graphis archerii is somewhat close to G. pertricosa (Kremp.) A.W. Archer in having convergent striate exciple and similar ascospore size but G. pertricosa has a laterally carbonized exciple and has only norstictic acid in its thallus.
124 Specimens Examined: Kolhapur District, Panhala, 13.10.1974, P.G. Patwardhan & A.V. Prabhu, 74.1083, 74.1094, 74.1113, 74.1121.
Graphis asperata sp. nov. [Fig.: 166]
Type: India, Maharashtra, Kolhapur District, Panhala, 13.10.1974, P.G. Patwardhan & A.V. Prabhu, 74.1132 (Holotype-AMH).
Thallus crustose, epiphloeodal, uniform, continuous, grayish to yellow, cracked, sometimes warty, surrounded by thin, black hypothallus. Ascomata black lirelline, 1-4 mm long and 0.1-0.2 mm broad, simple to branched, semi-emergent to emergent, scattered, concolorous, obtuse apices; thalline margin entire, studded with crystals, encircling exciple; disc brownish to black, epruinose; exciple 4-5-striate, blackish at apices, convergent, covered by a thick, thalline margin up to the top; epihymenium indistinct; hymenium hyaline, clear, 84-105 |am tall, KI+ violet; paraphyses simple, long, thin, septate, branched at apices; asci 8-sporate. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, without gelatinous sheath, fusiform-oblong, 38-72 x 17-21 |im, 1+ violet. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P+ orange, UV-; salazinic (trace), stictic acid and an unidentified substance (indicated by gray spot at Rf class 1) present.
Habitat: The species has been collected in dry deciduous forest in open places on the road sides.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: The new species Graphis asperata is characterized by a cracked and uneven thallus, exciple apically carbonized, 4-5-striate, ascospores 8 per ascus, 38-72 x 17-21 |im size, and has salazinic (trace), stictic acid and an unidentified substance.
Graphis asperata differs from G. parilis Kremp. in having smaller ascospores. G. parilis has larger ascospores of 63-101 x 17-21 |am and has only stictic acid in its thallus.
125 Specimen Examined: Pune District, Malshej ghat, 9.9.2002, U.V. Makhija & A.V. Bhosale, 02.17.
Graphis disparata sp. nov. [Fig.: 168]
Type: India, Maharashtra, Kolhapur District, Panhala, 13.10.1974, P.G. Patwardhan & A.V. Prabhu, 74.1085 (Holotype-AMH).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, epiphloeodal, uniform, continuous, yellowish to pale white, smooth to cracked, surrounded by a distinct black hypothallus. Ascomata lirelline, 0.2-1.2 mm long, less than 0.1 mm broad, simple, curved, uniformly scattered all over the thallus, immersed to semi-emergent, ends obtuse to sometimes tapering, concolorous with the thallus; thalline margin studded with crystals, encircling exciple; disc brownish-black, epruinose; exciple orange-brown, 1-2-striate, present at base, carbonized at the tips, converging at the apical portion, covered by a thick thalline margin up to the top; epihymenium indistinct; hymenium hyaline, clear, 54.6-63 i^m tall, KI-; hypothecium hyaline, 8.4-13 \im thick; paraphyses simple, long, thin, branched at tips, septate, thickened at the apices; asci 8-sporate. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, with a gelatinous sheath, fusiform-oblong, 39-42 x 15-17 \ym wide, 1+ violet. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-, UV-; no lichen substance present.
Habitat: The specimen has been found on the tree trunk in moist open forest.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: The new species Graphis disparata is characterized by short, simple lirellae, uniformly scattered all over the thallus, exciple apically carbonized, ascospores muriform, 8 per ascus, 39-42 x 15-17 |im, and lacking lichen substances. Graphis disparata is close to G. symplecta Nyl. in most of the characters, however, G. symplecta has carbonization extended much below to half of the length of exciple.
126 Graphis duplicata Ach. [Fig- 169] Syn.Meth.Lich.,%\ (1814).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, off white, smooth to rough, thick, continuous, cracked, flaking away, surrounded by thin, black hypothallus. Ascomata lirelline, black, 0.5-5 mm long and 0.1-0.2 mm broad, simple to rarely branched, immersed to semi- emergent, irregularly curved, flexuose, scattered all over, acute ends; disc fissurine to moderately narrow, blackish-brown when visible, pruinose; exciple black, indistinctly present at the base, 2-4 (-6) striate, covered by a thick thalline exciple till the top, striae separated by thalline exciple, completely carbonized, and converging at the apical portion; epihymenium indistinct; hymenium hyaline, clear, 53-70 \xm tall, K1-; hypothecium hyaline, 11-18 |im thick; paraphyses simple, long, thin, septate, brown, capitate at the tips; asci 8-sporate, cylindrical to cylindrico-clavate. Ascospores hyaline, fusiform, 6-9 (-12)-transseptate, 21-35 (-46) x 5-7 |im, 1+ violet. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: The species was collected in semi-evergreen forest in open places.
Distribution: India (Kamataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Nagaland), Australia, Indonesia, Java, S. America and The Philippines.
Remarks: Graphis duplicata is one of the most widely distributed species of this genus in Western ghats of South India.
Specimens Examined: Ratnagiri District, Nivali village, Chiplun to Hatkhamba Road, 5.12.1975, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.2116 [earlier reported as Graphispersicina May & Plot. (Patwardhan & Kulkarni, 1976)]. Sindhudurg District, on the way to Kasal from Sawantwadi, 11.10.2000, U.V. Makhija «& B.A. Adawadkar, 00.248.
Graphis emergenata sp. nov. [Fig.: 12 & 170]
Type: India, Maharashtra, Sindhudurg District, Amboli, 28.9.1976, P.G. Patwardhan & A.V. Prabhu, 76.1233 (Holotype-AMH).
127 Thallus crustose, corticolous, grayish-green to dull brownish-green, smooth to distinctly warty, thick; hypothallus absent. Ascomata lirelline, concolorous with the thallus, emergent, elevated, straight to curved, terminally acute, mostly simple, rarely branched irregularly, 1- 9 mm long and 0.1-0.2 mm broad; thalline margin entire, raised, concolorous with the thallus; disc blackish, narrow, slit-like, epruinose; exciple, convergent, entire, apically carbonized, closed, brown at the base; epihymenium brownish 12-15 |am thick; hymenium hyaline, 84-147 |im tall, KI-; hypothecium hyaline, 21 -42 \im thick; paraphyses simple, long, slender, branched, compact at apices; asci 2-4- sporate. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, ellipsoidal, oblong, 76-109 x 25-29 |am, 1+ violet. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; constictic, salazinic and stictic acids present.
Habitat: The species has been collected in semi-evergreen forest in open places on the road sides.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: The new species Graphis emergenata is characterized by the thick, warty, dull green thallus, highly elevated, conspicuous lirellae, apically carbonized exciple, muriform ascospores of 76-109 x 25-29 jam and presence of constictic, salazinic and stictic acids in its thallus .
Graphis emergenata is similar in most of the morphological characters, to G. bilabiata Nyl., a species from Ceylon, but they differ in their chemistry. G. bilabiata is known to have only stictic and constictic acids whereas G. emergenata produces salazinic acid along with stictic and constictic acids.
Specimens Examined: Sindhudurg District, Amboli, 28.9.1976, P.G. Patwardhan & A.V. Prabhu, 76.1258, 76.1259; Amboli, 29.9.1976, U.V. Makhija & A.V. Prabhu, 76.1236.
128 Graphis glaucorufescens sp. nov. [Fig.: 171]
Type: India, Maharashtra, Satara District, Mahabaleshwar, Lodwick Point, 28.11.1974, M.B. Nagarkar & A.V. Prabhu, 74.1826 (Holotype-AMH).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, epiphloeodal, continuous, smooth to cracked, uneven, rough, greenish-gray, surrounded by thin, black hypothallus. Ascomata lirelline, 1-3.2 mm long and 0.1-0.25 mm broad, simple to rarely branched, with short branches, semi-emergent, scattered, concolorous with the thallus, terminally acute; thalline margin up to the top, concolorous, studded with crystals, encircling exciple; disc narrow, dark brown to black, epruinose; exciple present at the base, 1-5-striate, carbonized only at tips, converging at the apical portion, covered by a thick thalline margin up to the top; epihymenium dark brown to blackish, thin, 8.4-13 |am thick; hymenium hyaline, clear, 100-136 |im tall, KI-; hypothecium hyaline to yellowish, 16-20 \im thick; paraphyses simple, long, thin, septate, thickened at the apices; asci 8-sporate. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, flisiform-oblong, without gelatinous sheath, 7-14-transverse septa, lumina lenticular, 59-71 x 13-17 nm, 1+ violet. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: The species occurs in semi-evergreen forest in shady places.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: The new species Graphis glaucorufescens is characterized by mostly simple lirellae, exciple apically carbonized, ascospores 8 per ascus, muriform, 59-71 x 13-17 |im and absence of lichen substances.
The closely related Graphis glaucorufa Vain, differs from the new species G. glaucorufescens in having 1-sporate asci.
Specimens Examined: Satara District, Mahabaleshwar, Arther Seat, 27.11.1974, M.B. Nagarkar & A.V. Prabhu 74.1759, 74.1763; Lodwick Point, 28.11.1974, M.B. Nagarkar & A.V. Prabhu, 74.1839, 74.1849, 74.1911.
129 Graphis guimarana Vain. [Fig.: 172] Ann. Acad. Sci. Fenn. Ser. A., 15(6): 248 (1921).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, buff, smooth, cracked, moderately thick, surrounded by thin black hypothallus. Ascomata lirelline, 0.5-8 mm long and 0.1-0.2 mm broad, simple to profusely branched, flexuose, immersed to semi-emergent, uniformly spread all over the thallus, terminally acute; disc moderately broad, distinctly black, epruinose; exciple orange-brown, smooth, present at base, converging at the apical portion, laterally carbonized, covered by a thick thalline exciple till the top; epihymenium greenish-black, 14-18 ^m thick; hymenium hyaline, not inspersed, 53-67 |im tall, K1-; hypothecium hyaline, 14-25 \im thick; paraphyses simple, septate, thickened and branched at the apices; asci 8-sporate, cylindrical. Ascospores fusiform to oblong, 8-11- transseptate, 25-50 x 7-10 [im, 1+ violet. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P+ yellow; UV-; constictic (trace) and norstictic acids present.
Habitat: The species was collected in semi-evergreen forest in open places on the road sides.
Distribution: India (Kamataka, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu) and the Philippines.
Remarks: Graphis guimarara Vain, resembles G. exalbata Nyl. in ascospore size, exciple nature and chemistry. But G. exalbata has immersed and almost concolorous lirellae and is a saxicolous species. Externally similar G. persicina Meyen & Plot., a species from the Philippines, however, has no lichen substances in its thallus.
Specimens Examined: Raigad District, Hirdoshi, 4.12.1979, C.R. Kulkami, 74.1979; Kamala forest, 28.8.1974, M.B. Nagarkar «fe A.V. Prabhu, 74.610; Warandha ghat, 4.12.1974, C.R. Kulkami, 74.1952, 74.1969. Ratnagiri District, Dabhole ghat, 5.12.1974, M.B. Nagarkar & A.V. Prabhu, 74.1993.
130 Graphis librata C. Knight [Fig.: 173] Trans. N. Z. Instil, 16: 404 (1884).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, continuous, rough, smooth to plicate or wrinkled, buff to greenish-brown, thick, delimited by black hypothallus. Ascomata lirelline, black, round to short, 0.1-2.5 mm long and 0.1-0.2 mm broad, simple, semi-emergent, straight to curved, crowded, terminally obtuse; disc narrow to broad, brown to blackish-brown, epruinose; exciple entire, black, present at the base, and converging at the apical portion, laterally carbonized, covered by a thin thalline exciple till the top; epihymenium blackish-brown, 11-21 |am thick; hymenium hyaline, inspersed with oil globules, 49-70 ^m tall, KI-; hypothecium hyaline, 11-14 nm thick; paraphyses simple, long, thin, septate, thickened at the tips and surrounded by oil globules; asci 4-8-sporate, cylindrico- clavate to cylindrical. Ascospores fusiform to oblong, 3-10-transseptate, 17-42 x 5-9 \xnv, 1+ violet. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P+ yellow; UV-; constictic and norstictic acids present.
Habitat: The species has been collected in coastal areas and in semi-evergreen forest in open places of Meiharashtra and is being reported for the first time from India.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra), Dominica, Guadeloupe, New Zealand and Vietnam.
Remarks: Graphis librata C. Knight is very closely related to G. leptocarpa Fee in all morphological and anatomical characters, but G. leptocarpa has stictic acid in its thallus.
Specimens Examined: Mumbai District, Tulsi lake, 5.6.1974, J.G. Vaidya, 74.106. Raigad District, Warandha, Bhor to Mahad Road, 4.12.1970, A.V. Prabhu, 74.1970. Ratnagiri District, Dabhole Ghat, 5.12.1974, A.V. Prabhu 8c M.B. Nagarkar, 74.2042; Nerur, 16.3.1975, A.V. Prabhu, 75.449, 75.450; Nivali village, Chiplun to Hatkhamba Road, 5.12.1974, C.R. Kulkami, 74.2129, 74.2130, 74.2132, 74.2136, 74.2142, 74.2147.
131 Graphis maharashtriana sp. nov. [Fig" 174]
Type: India, Maharashtra, Sindhudurg District, on the way to Ajra from AmboH, 10.10. 2000, U.V. Makhija & B.A. Adawadkar, 00.168 (Holotype-AMH). Thallus crustose, corticolous, endophloeodal, continuous, smooth to cracked, grayish-white to dirty white, surrounded by a thin black hypothallus. Ascomata lirelline, short, 0.1-3 mm long and 0.1 mm broad, simple to branched, immersed to semi-emergent, irregularly curved, flexuous, scattered, concolorous with the thallus to black, terminal round to acute; thalline margin entire, studded with crystals, encircling exciple; disc narrow, black, epruinose; exciple 4-5 striate, laterally carbonized, present at the base, converging at the apical portion, covered by a thick thalline margin up to the top; epihymenium brownish-green, 16-18 nm thick; hymenium hyaline, clear, 34-46 ^m tall, K1-; hypothecium light yellow, 13-21 |im thick; paraphyses simple, long, thin, septate, thickened at the apices; asci 8-sporate. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, 7-14-transseptate, fiisiform-oblong, without gelatinous sheath, 25-42 x 13-17 |am, 1+ violet. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow to orange, C-, KC+ yellow to red, P-; UV-; constictic and stictic acids present.
Habitat: The species has been collected on the bark of Mangifera indica surrounding a lake, on the hill, in moist forest.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: Graphis maharashtriana differs from the most closely related G. panhalensis (Patw. & C. R. Kulkami) comb. nov. in having larger ascospores of 45-65 x 12-16 ^im and only stictic acid in G. panhalensis.
Specimens Examined: Kolhapur District, Panhala, 13.10.1974, P.G. Patwardhan & A.V. Prabhu, 74.1063b, 74.1076; 74.1078, 74.1091; P.G. Patwardhan & C.R. Kulkami, 74.1095, 74.1101, 74.1129. Nasik District, Anjaneri, 26.9.2002, B.C. Behera & G.S. Chitale, 02.232; Saptashringi, 24.9.2002, B.C. Behera & G.S. Chitale, 02.185. Pune District, Lonavala, Walvan Dam, 16.9.2002, B.C. Behera, 02.122, 02.123; Purandar Fort,
132 13.9.2002, U.V. Makhija & A.V. Bhosale, 02.55; Malshej Ghat, Neemgiri, 9.9.2002, U.V. Makhija & A.V. Bhosale, 02.143.
Graphis modesta Zahlbr. apud Rechinger [Fig>: 175] In Denkschrift. Math.-naturw. KI. Akad. Wiss. Wien., 88: 19 (1911).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, glaucous gray to olivaceous, smooth, thick. Ascomata lirelline, black, semi-emergent to emergent, simple, curved, flexuose, 1-8 mm long, obtuse ends; thalline margin distinct, concolorous; disc narrow, slit like to slightly broad, black, pruinose; exciple entire, present at the base, laterally carbonized, convergent, covered by thalline exciple till top; epihymenium indistinct, hyaline; hymenium hyaline, clear, 80-90 ^m tall, KI-; hypothecium thin, hyaline to pale yellowish; asci 8-sporate, cylindrical, 70-80 x 8-10 ^m. Ascospores hyaline, 5-8- transeptate, 20-38 x 5-8 |am, 1+ violet. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P+ yellow; UV-; constictic and stictic acids present.
Habitat: The specimen has been collected in semi-evergreen forest.
Distribution: India (Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Maharashtra) and Bougainvilla Island.
Remarks: Graphis modesta Zahlbr., seems to be rare in Maharashtra.
Specimen Examined: Sindhudurg District, near Sawantwadi, 16.3.1975, A.V. Prabhu, 75.494.
Graphis nerurensis sp. nov. [Fig" 176]
Type: India, Maharashtra, Nerur, 16.3.1975, A.V. Prabhu, 75.489 (Holotype-AMH).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, whitish-gray, finely cracked, smooth to uneven, moderately thick, surrounded by thin, black hj^Dothallus. Ascomata lirelline, 0.5-6 mm long and 0.1-0.2 mm broad, simple to dendroidly branched, immersed to semi-emergent,
133 scattered all over the thallus, concolorous, terminally acute; disc narrow, slit like, blackish, covered with white pruina, not visible with naked eye; exciple smooth, present at the base, and converging at the apical portion, entire, crenate to 2-4 striate, carbonized at the tips, covered by a thick thalline exciple till the top; epihymenium brown, 10-18 fxm thick; hymenium hyaline, clear, 70-98 ^m tall, KI-; hypothecium hyaline to yellowish, 14-21 |xm thick; paraphyses simple, septate, unbranched; asci 4-8-sporate, cylindrical. Ascospores hyaline, fusiform-oblong, with 7-11-transseptate, 21-49 x 5-10 i^m, 1+ violet. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P+ yellow; UV-; constictic, coimorstictic and norstictic acids present.
Habitat: The species has been collected in semi-evergreen forests in open places.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: Graphis nerurensis is identical in all morphological and anatomical characters to G. exalbata Nyl. which, however, is saxicolous. The species was previously recorded as G. exalbata (Patwardhan & Kulkami, 1976).
Specimens Examined: Ratnagiri District, Nerur, 16.3.1975, A.V. Prabhu, 75.451, 75.452, 75.463, 75.488, 75.504.
Graphis panhalensis (Patw. & C.R. Kulkarni) comb. nov. [Fig^ 177] = Graphinapanhalensis Patw. & C.R. Kulkami Norw. J. Bot.,l(>: Al {\919).
Type: India, Maharashtra, Panhala, P.O. Patwardhan & C.R. Kulkami, 74.1075 (Holotype-AMH)!.
Thallus cmstose, corticolous, pale glaucous green, smooth to indistinctly warty, thick. Ascomata lirelline, emergent, black, simple, curved or flexuous, unbranched, 0.5-2 mm long, ends subacute; disc narrow slit like; exciple 4-5-striate, convergent, pale brown, carbonized only at the apices, partially covered by thalline margin; hymenium hyaline, 70-90 (jm tall; asci 8-sporate. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, ellipsoid, 45-65 x 12-16 i^m.
134 Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P+ orange; UV-; stictic acid present.
Habitat: The species was collected on bark of Mangifera indica on the hill tops that receives heavy rains during the monsoon.
Distribution: Known only from Maharashtra, India.
Remarks: Graphis panhalensis was established as Graphina panhalensis by Patwardhan & Kulkarni (1979a) from Maharashtra. On account of the presence of convergent, well developed exciple with distinct carbonized area and colourless ascospores it has now been placed in Graphis in the new system of Staiger (2002). This species is known only by its type.
Graphisparilis Kremp. [Fig.: 178] Flora, 59: 422 (1^76).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, epiphloeodal, continuous, smooth to cracked, uneven, slightly rough, greenish-yellow, surrounded by thin black, hypothallus. Ascomata lirelline, 1.5-7 mm long and 0.1-0.6 mm broad, simple to sparsely branched, semi-emergent, irregularly curved, wavy, flexuous, intricate, concolorous with the thallus, terminally acute; thalline margin raised, studded with crystals, encircling exciple, brown to blackish, smooth; disc broad, reddish-brown to blackish-brown, epruinose; exciple 1-5 striate, yellowish-brown, carbonized at apices, convergent, covered by a thick thalline margin up to the top; epihymenium light brown; hymenium hyaline, clear, 126- 176 |im tall, KI-; hypothecium light yellowish-brown, 21-42 |im thick; paraphyses simple, long, thin, septate, thickened at apices; asci 8-sporate. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, elliptical-oblong, 7-14-transseptate, lumina lenticular, 63-101 x 17-21 |j,m, 1+ violet. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; stictic acid present.
Habitat: The specimens have been collected in secondary forest on the bark of Schyzigium cumini in semi-evergreen forest.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra), Brazil, Canada, Florida, and Mexico.
135 Remarks: On account of the presence of convergent, well developed exciple with distinct carbonization, hyaline, muriform ascospores, this species has now been placed in Graphis in the new system of Staiger (2002). G. parilis has been reported for the first time from India.
Specimens Examined: Satara District, Mahabaleshwar, Lodwick point, 28.11.1974, M.B. Nagarkar &. A.V. Prabhu, 74.1876, 74.1909.
Graphis persulcaia Stirt. [Fig.: 179] Proc. Roy. Philos. Soc. Glassgow, 11: 315 (1879).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, olivaceous buff to citrine green, thick. Ascomata lirelline, black, semi-emergent to distinctly emergent, 0.5-3 mm long, mostly simple, occasionally branched, terminally acute to subacute; disc narrow, black, epruinose; exciple striate, complete, present below, 3-4 striae on each side of the exciple, completely carbonized covered by a thin thalline exciple till the top; epihymenium indistinct; hymenium hyaline, clear, 90-100 i^m tall, KI-; hypothecium thin, hyaline to yellowish; asci 8-sporate. Ascospores hyaline, 7-10-transseptate, 30-45 x 7-8 \im, 1+ violet. Cliemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: The species is rare in Maharashtra and collected only once at Amboli, a place which gets heavy rains in monsoon.
Distribution: India (Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu) and Australia.
Remarks: Graphis persulcata is one of the few examples of Australia-Asia disjunct distribution.
Specimen Examined: Sindhudurg District, Amboli, 18.10.1974, A.V. Prabhu 8c C.R. Kulkami, 74.1387.
136 Graphis polystriata sp. nov. [Figs.: 180] Type: India, Maharashtra State, on the way to Phonda from Radhanagari, 12.10.2000, U.V. Makhija &. V.A. Mantri, 00.278 (Holotype- AMH).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, whitish-gray to greenish-gray, smooth, cracked with age, delimited by a black hypoihalloidal region at the periphery. Ascomata lirelline, black, semi-emergent, straight to curved, with ends acute, mostly simple, rarely branched, 0.1-7 mm long and 0.1-0.5 mm broad, terminally acute; disc black, narrow slit-like, epruinose; exciple distinctly striate, 2-13 striae on each side, partially to completely carbonized; hymenium hyaline, 70-122 ^m tall, K1-; hypothecium hyaline, 11-30 [im thick; paraphyses simple long, slender, branched at apices, with colourless or brown apical cell; asci 4-8-sporate, unitunicate, cylindrical. Ascospores hyaline, oblong, 12-24- transseptate, with one end acute, 25-109 x 4-8 ^m, I-. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substance present.
Habitat: Graphis polystriata is restricted in Maharashtra and frequently collected on the road sides.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: Graphis polystriata is distinguished by its black, mostly simple, raised ascomata; almost always completely carbonized exciple with 2-13 striae on each side, and many transseptate, large ascospores of 25-109 x 4-8 |jm.
The new species Graphis polystriata is closely related to G. patwardhanii C.R. Kulkami (Holotype-AMH is seen), a species from India in respect of the overall morphology of the ascomata and the ascospores, which, however, differs from the new species in having isidiate thallus.
Specimens Examined: Kolhapur District, Panhala, near Guest House, U.V. Makhija & B.C. Behera, 00.479, 00.480. Pune District, Bhimashankar, 10.10.1974, P.O. Patwardhan & P.D. Badhe, 74.28, 74.57; Dongarwadi, K.R. Randive & V.A. Mantri, 00.130, 00.133, 00.135; Sinhagad, 19.10.2000, U.V. Makhija & B.A. Adawadkar, 00.51.
137 Satara District, Ajinkyatara, 5.10.2001, U.V. Makhija & G.S. Chitale, 01.88; Kas Lake, 5.10.2001, B.A. Adawadkar & G.S. Chitale, 01.78, 01.79, 01.80, 01.81; 5.10.2001, B.C. Behera & B.A. Adawadkar, 01.82, 01.83, 01.84; Mahabaleshwar, 10.10.1970, RG. Patwardhan & P.D. Badhe, 70.82; 13.2.1972, A.V. Sathe, 72.5; Arther Seat, 27.11.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.1742, 74.1753, 74.1777; Lodwick Point Road, 28.12.1974, M.B. Nagarkar & A.V. Prabhu, 74.1863, 74.1870, 74.1874, 74.1885, 74.1899, 74.1920; Tiger Path, 8.3.1974, M.B. Nagarkar, 74.25, 74.51, 74.53; Panchgani, 25.9.2001, G.S. Chitale, 01.38. Sindhudurg District, AmboH, 18.10.1974, A.V. Prabhu & C.R. Kulkami, 74.1396, 74.1403, 74.1404, 74. 1406, 74.1436, 74.1439, Hiranyakeshi, A.V. Prabhu & C.R. Kulkami, 74.2387; on the way to Ajra from Amboli, 10.10.2000, U.V. Makhija & B.A. Adawadkar, 00.170, 00.185, 00.186, 00.208; on the way to Phonda from Radhanagari, 12.10.2000, U.V. Makhija & V.A. Mantri, 00.267, 00.268, 00.274, 00.271, 00.276; on the way to Kasal from Sawantwadi, 11.10.2000, U.V. Makhija & B.C. Behera, 00.257; on the way to Vaibhavwadi from Phonda, 12.10.2000, B.A. Adawadkar & K.R. Randive, 00.329; Matheran, 13.9.1970, P.G. Patwardhan, 70.44.
Graphis pyrrocheiloides (Vain.) Zahlbr. [Fig. : 181] Cat. Lick Umv.,2: 321 (1924). = Graphis pyrrhochelia Vain. Hedwigia, 66: 179(1907).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, brownish-gray to greenish-gray, thick, smooth to distinctly and finely cracked, surrounded by thin, black hypothallus. Ascomata lirelline to round, concolorous, 0.5-6 mm long and 0.5 mm broad, simple to rarely branched, immersed, flush with the thallus, flexuose, scattered, terminally obtuse; disc broad, blackish to chestnut red, 0.25-0.6 mm broad, epruinose; exciple entire, present at the base or sometimes absent, converging to moderately divergent at the apical portion, laterally carbonized, covered by a crystal studded, thick thalline exciple till the top; epihymenium brown to blackish-brown, 17-28 |am thick; hymenium hyaline, clear, 87-116 ^m tall, KI-; hypothecium yellow to colourless, 17-70 ^m thick; paraphyses simple, long, thin, septate, thickened at apices; asci 2-8-sporate, cylindrical. Ascospores hyaline, fiisiform-oblong, 8-16-transseptate, 25-60 x 5-11 ^m, 1+ violet.
138 Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P+ yellow; UV-; norstictic acid present.
Habitat: The species is associated with Pertusaria quassiae (Fee) Nyl. collected in semi- evergreen forest in open places.
Distribution: India (Eastern Himalaya and Maharashtra) and Siam.
Remarks: Graphis pyrrhocheiloides is close to G. inamoena Zahlbr. in respect of anatomy, ascospore size and chemistry. However, it has laterally carbonized exciple. G. inamoena has carbonization only at the tip.
Specimens Examined: Pune District, Bhimashankar, 17.9.1997, B.A. Adawadkar, 97.14, 97.17. Ratnagiri District, Dabhole ghat, 5.12.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.1992; Ganpati Pule, 5.2.1974, P.G. Patwardhan, 74.2045. Kolhapur District, Vishalgad, 6.12.1974, C.R. Kulkami, 74.2207.
Graphis stictiglaucorufa sp. nov. [Fig- 182]
Type: India, Maharashtra, Satara District, Mahabaleshwar, Lodwick Point Road, 28.11.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.1825 (Holotype-AMH).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, epiphloeodal, continuous, smooth to cracked, or warty, greenish-yellow, surrounded by thin, black hypothallus. Ascomata lirelline, 1-10 mm long and 0.2-0.5 mm broad, dendroidly branched, curved, totally immersed to semi- emergent, or emergent, wavy, flexuous, concolorous with the thallus, terminally acute; thalline margin entire, raised, concolorous with the thallus, studded with crystals encircling exciple; disc narrow, dark brown to black, epruinose; exciple yellowish-brovra, present at base, apically carbonized, and convergent, 3-8-striate, covered by a thick thalline margin up to the top; epihymenium brownish, 13-17 \im thick; hymenium hyaline, clear, 84-126 |im tall, KI-; hypothecium hyaline, 21-34 [im thick; paraphyses simple, long, thin, septate, thickened, compact at apices; asci 2-8-sporate. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, fusiform-oblong, 46-76 x 13-17 nm, 1+ violet. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; stictic, acid present.
139 Habitat: Occurs in evergreen forest on the hill tops, often associated with Usnea ghattensis G. Awasthi.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: The new species Graphis stictiglaucorufa differs from the most closely related G. glaucorufa Vain, in having 8-sporate asci, and stictic acid in its thallus. G. glaucorufa, however, has 1-sporate asci, larger ascospore of 55-95 x 14-19 |im size and has no lichen substances.
Specimens Examined: Satara District, Mahabaleshwar, Arther Seat, 27.11.1974, M.B. Nagarkar & A.V. Prabhu, 74.1765, 74.1769; Lodwick point, 28.11.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.1823, 74.1824, 74.1827, 74.1835, 74.1864, 74.1872, 74.1902, 74.1927.
Graphis subducta Vain. [Fig-: 183] Arm. Acad. Sci. Fenn. SQX., 15(6): 203 (1921).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, grayish, flaking, finely cracked, smooth to rough; hypothallus black. Ascomata lirelline simple to rarely branched, triradiate, curved, emergent, 1-1.5 mm long, 0.2-0.5 mm broad; thalline margin entire, raised, concolorous with the thallus; disc black, narrow to broad; exciple convergent, 3-4-striate, apically carbonized; epihymenium brownish, 13-15 |jm thick; hymenium hyaline, 75-90 |xm tall, KI+ blue-violet; hypothecium light yellowish; asci 8-sporate. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, small, ellipsoidal, locules in 2-3 rows, 24-33 x 9-12 ^m, 1+ blue-violet. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-; KC-; P+ yellowish; UV-; stictic and constictic acids present.
Habitat: The species has been collected in semi-evergreen montane forest.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra and Nagaland) and the Philippines.
Remarks: This species has been reported for the first time from Maharashtra.
140 Specimens Examined: Kolhapur District, Panhala, 11.12.2002, G.S. Chitale, 02.282. Ratnagiri District, Chiplun, 15.5.2004, G.S. Chitale, 04.89.
Graphis subserpentina Nyl. [Figs.: 14,45 «& 184] Acta. Soc. Scient. Fenn., 7: 465 (1863).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, whitish-gray to light greenish-gray, smooth, cracked with age, delimited by a black hypothalloidal region at the periphery. Ascomata lirelline, mostly immersed, to rarely slightly emergent, straight to curved, terminally acute, mostly simple, rarely irregularly, branched, 0.1-11 mm long and 0.1-0.25 mm broad; disc black, narrow, slit-like, epruinose; exciple convergent, without striation, completely carbonized, closed, present at base; hymenium hyaline, 134-168 |J.m tall, KI-; hypothecium hyaline, 21-26 ^im thick; paraphyses simple, long slender, branched at apices; asci 1-sporate. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, oblong, with ends more or less rounded, 67-118 x 17-29 ^m, I-. Chemistry: Thallus K+ orange, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; norstictic acid present.
Habitat: The specimens have been collected in moist deciduous forest in places on road side.
Distribution: India (Kamataka and Maharashtra), Australia, Colombia, Fiji, Hawaii, Indonesia, Malaysia, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand and The Philippines.
Remarks: Graphis subserpentina Nyl. was earlier reported as Graphina subserpentina (Nyl.) Mull. Arg. from Maharashtra (Patwardhan & Kulkami, 1976, 1979a) and I agree with Archer (2003a) who has synonimized Graphina nylanderi Patw. & C.R. Kulkami with Graphis subserpentina Nyl.
Specimens Examined: Ratnagiri District, Nerur, 16.3.1975, A.V. Prabhu, 75.486, 75.487; Dabhole ghat, 5.12.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M. B. Nagarkar, 74.2068 [earlier reported as Graphina nylanderi Patw. & C.R. Kulkami].
141 Graphis vittata Vain. [Fig- 185] Ann. Acad. Sci. Fenn., Ser. A., 15(6): 243 (1921).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, continuous, cracked, grayish-green, smooth to uneven, moderately thick, epruinose, surrounded by thin, black hypothallus. Ascomata lirelline, 0.5-4 mm long and 0.1-0.2 mm broad, simple to branched, semi-emergent, uniformly spread all over the thallus, straight to curved, black, terminally acute; disc narrow, fissurine, black, epruinose; exciple entire or 2-4 striate, carbonized at tips, absent at the base, converging at the apical portion, covered by a thin, concolourous, overarching thalline exciple, studded with crystals; epihymenium blackish-brown to brown, 7-16 \im thick; hymenium hyaline, clear, 74-77 \xm tall, KI-; hypothecium hyaline, 14-32 fim thick; paraphyses simple, septate, unbranched, thickened at the apices; asci 8-sporate, cylindrical. Ascospores hyaline, fusiform-oblong, with 7-9-transseptate, 21-39 X 4-7 nm,I+violet. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P+ yellow; UV-; stictic and constictic (trace) acids present.
Habitat: The species was collected on the bark of Mangifera indica in moist deciduous forest.
Distribution: India (Kamataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Sikkim), Australia, Christmas Islands, Indonesia, and Java.
Remarks: Graphis stenotera Vain., a species from Java is similar to G. vittata in all respects except that G. stenotera contains stictic and norstictic acids in its thallus. G. persulcata Stirt. is also comparable to G. vittata which, however, does not have any lichen substance.
Specimen Examined: Kolhapur District, Panhala, near Guest House, 13.10.2000, U.V. Makhija & B.A. Adawadkar, 00.476.
142 Graphis sp. 1 [Fig.: 186]
Thallus crustose, corticolous, white to grayish, smooth, very finely cracked; hypothallus distinctly black. Apothecia black, lirelline, simple to branched, 1 -3 mm long and 0.2-0.5 mm broad, emergent; disc black-brown; exciple black, apically and laterally carbonized, 1-3-striate, convergent, epihymenium hyaline, 12-14 ^im thick; hymenium hyaline, 55-95 |im tall, KI-; hypothecium light brown, 13-17 \xm thick; paraphyses simple; asci 4-8-sporate, KI+ blue-violet. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, 45-60 x 12-15 ^m, 1+ blue-violet, with a 1.3 ^m thick gelatinous sheath. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow to orange, C-, KC+ yellow to red, P-; UV-; stictic and constictic acids present.
Habitat: The species has been collected in semi-evergreen forest at higher elevation.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: The species is characterized by apically and laterally carbonized striate exciple with 1-3 striae, ascospores 4-8 per ascus, 45-60 x 12-15 |im with 1.3 ^m thick gelatinous sheath and presence of stictic and constictic acids. The species infact, is very similar to Graphis panhalensis which has only apically carbonized proper exciple. G. panhalensis, moreover, has only stictic acid in its thallus The specimen studied here is very scanty and hence has been kept unnamed.
Specimen Examined: Satara District, Mahabaleshwar, 21.1.2004, B.A. Adawadkar, 04.12.
Genus: Hemithecium Trevis. (Graphidaceae) Spighe e Paglie, 1: 12 (1853).
The lichen genus Hemithecium Trevis. is characterized by: thallus crustose, ascomata lirelline, sessile and conspicuous, usually simple, rarely branched, labia well developed, convergent; exciple well developed, uncarbonized, yellow-brown, orange-brown or pale brown, mostly distinctly crenate and with internal striae; disc not visible; the hyphae
143 forming the lateral exciple or the labia are puffy, swollen and turn 1+ brown/reddish- brown; periphysoids absent; asci 1-8 spored, unitunicate. Ascospores hyaline, or pale brown to brown, transversely septate or muriform with lenticular locules, at least 25 ^im long, 1+ blue-violet, without gelatinous sheath.
Staiger (2002), in her recent treatment of the lichen family Graphidaceae, reintroduced the genus Hemithecium Trevis. and reported 9 species in this genus. Subsequently, 23 species have been added to this genus, including thirteen species from the Indian subcontinent (Archer, 2006; Adawadkar & Makhija, 2005; Makhija & Adawadkar, 2005a; Makhija et al, 2005a and Nakanishi et al., 2005).
As a result of the present studies 13 species of this genus have been recognized in the lichen flora of Maharashtra. Of which five species belonging to the subgenus Hemithecium with hyaline, transseptate ascospores have been recorded in a recent publication (Makhija et al., 2005a) from Maharashtra. Here three species have been described as new to science and five new combinations have also been proposed.
Key to the species of Hemithecium from Maharashtra la. Ascospores brown 2 (subgenus Leucogramma) lb. Ascospores hyaline 3 (subgenus Hemithecium)
2a. Ascomata black, immersed to semi-emergent, more or less aggregated, 5-7 mm long, mostly dendroidly branched, rarely simple; exciple entire, convergent, noncarbonized or slightly carbonized at the tip; asci 4-8-sporate; ascospores 75-122 x 21-30 urn, no lichen substances present H. commutabilis
2b. Ascospores transseptate 3
3 a. Ascomata short, simple to sometimes dendroidly branched, semi-emergent to emergent, 0.5-6 mm long; disc white pruina; exciple 2-4 superficially striate, convergent, carbonized at tips, asci 4-8-sporate; ascospores brown, 9-13-transseptate, 25-49 X 5-9 i^m; norstictic, stictic and constictic acids present H. undulatolirellatum
3b. Ascomata dendroidly branched, semi-emergent, 1-13 mm long; disc epruinose, exciple brownish, entire, present at base, convergent; asci 2-8-sporate, ascospores
144 hyaline to brown, 13-20-!transseptate, 46-81 x 7-11 ^m; stictic acid and constictic (trace) acids present H. sipmanii
4a. Ascospores transseptate 5
4b. Ascospores muriform 9
5 a. Ascomata immersed in elevated wart-like structures, (not in stroma) Ascomata 0.3-1.5 mm long; exciple entire to striate, present at base; ascospores 7-13 - transseptate, 21-53 x 6-9 ^m; constictic, norstictic and stictic acids present H. consociatum 5b. Ascomata not in wart-like structures 6 6a. Ascospores exceeding 100 ^im in length Ascomata 2-9 (-12) mm long, emergent, sparsely branched; exciple 3-4 striate on each side, present at base, apically carbonized; ascospores 13-21-transseptate, 49-112 X 7-14 |im; constictic, norstictic (trace) and stictic acids present H. amboliense 6b. Ascospores not exceeding 100 |i.m in length 7 7a. Only norstictic acid present Ascomata 1-9 mm long, concolorous with the thallus, immersed to semi-emergent; exciple internally striate, present at base, occasionally slightly carbonized at the apex; ascospores 7-14-transseptate, 25-56x7-8 |am H. norsticticum 7b. Constictic, norstictic and stictic acids present 8
8a. Ascomata 0.5-10 mm long, immersed to semi-emergent; exciple with 2-4 internal striae, present at the base; ascospores 10-14-transseptate, 25-67(-80) x 11-12 i^m H. aphanes
8b. Ascomata 2-7 mm long, semi-emergent to emergent; exciple entire to indistinctly striate, present at the base; ascospores 8-10 (-15)-transseptate, 30-40 (-60) x 6-9 |im H. nakanishianum 9a. Ascospores exceeding 100 |am in length 10 9b. Ascospores not exceeding 100 [im in length 12
1 Oa. Lichen substances absent Ascomata distinctly emergent, simple to rarely branched, tri-radiate, 1-4 mm long and 0.2-0.5 mm broad; disc white pruinose; exciple pale woody brown, to dull cream coloured, striate; asci 1-2 sporate; ascospores ellipsoid to fusiform 120-160 (-230) X 30-70 nm H. multistriatum 10b. Lichen substances present U
145 11a. Ascomata emergent, 1-3 mm long, labiae striate; exciple noncarbonized; ascospores 120-200 x 25-60 ^m in length; salazinic acid present H. salacinilabiatatum
1 lb. Ascomata emergent, 1-4 mm long, labiae striate; exciple noncarbonized; ascospores 112-209 X 30-66 \xm in length; stictic acid only H. stictilabiatum
12a. Ascomata semi-immersed, mostly simple to irregularly branched, flexuous, 1-7.5 mm long and 0.1-0.2 mm broad; exciple concolorous with the thallus, convergent, entire or with 1-2 apical groves; ascospores 17-21 x 8-14 ^m; constictic, stictic, hyposalazinic, norstictic acids present H. microspermum
12b. Ascomata 2-6 mm long and 0.1-0.2 mm broad, immersed to semi-emergent; exciple 3-5 striate, pale yellow to brown laterally, carbonized only at the tips, present at the base; ascospores 50-71 x 15-25 ^m; stictic and constictic acids present H. epixanthum
Hemithecium amboUense Makhija & Dube [Fig-: 187] Mycotaxon, 93: 367 (2005). Type: Maharashtra State, Sindhudurg District, Amboli, 28.9.1976, P.G. Patwardhan «& U.V. Makhija, 76.1260 (Holotype- AMH) !.
Thallus crustose, corticolous, greenish-gray, glaucous, continuous, smooth, cracked, thick, delimited by black hypothalloidal region at the periphery. Ascomata lirelline, semi-emergent to distinctly emergent, concolorous with the thallus or pale woody brown, straight or curved, flexuose, simple to sparsely branched, 2-9 (-12 mm) long, 0.2-0.7 mm broad, terminally subobtuse; disc narrow, slit-like; exciple entire or indistinctly 3-4 striate, convergent, reddish-brown to blackish-brown, complete, present at the base; completely noncarbonized, dark blackish-brown or slightly carbonized at the tips; epihymeniimi colourless to greenish-brown or brown; hymenium hyaline, not inspersed, 53-49 )am tall, KI-; hypothecium hyaline, 35-49 \x.m; paraphyses simple, thin; asci 4-8-sporate, cylindrical. Ascospores hyaline, 13-21-transseptate, 49-112 x 7-14 |am, 1+ blue-violet.
Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P+ yellow; UV-; stictic, constictic, norstictic (trace) present.
146 Habitat: The species was collected on Mangifera indica from Amboli in tropical semi- evergreen forest in open places on the road sides. It has been found associated with H. nakanishianum. The species seems to be restricted to Amboli.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra). Remarks: Hemithecium amboliense is distinguished from the closely related H. nakanishianum (Patw. & C.R. Kulkami) Makhija & Dube especially by its larger ascospores of 49-112 x 7-14 ^m. In H. nakanishianum the ascospores are of 30-40(-60) x 6-9 |j^m. The specimens were previously identified as Graphis nakanishiana Patw. & C.R. Kulkami (Patwardhan & Kulkami, 1979a).
Hemithecium nagalandicum (Kr. P. Singh & G. P. Sinha) Adaw. & Makhija (Adawadkar & Makhija, 2005), a species from Nagaland, India resembles the new species in chemistry, but has larger, 6-15 mm long ascomata, exciple with verrucose, heavily crenate margin and slightly larger ascospores (52-122 x 8-12 |im).
Specimens Examined: Sindhudurg District, Amboli, 28.9.1976, P.G. Patwardhan & U.V. Makhija, 76.1234B, 76.1235, 76.1256B, 76.1261, 76.1263.
Hemithecium aphanes (Mont, et Bosch) M. Nakan. & Kashiw. [Fig.: 188] Bull. Natn. Sci. Mus. Tokyo ser. B., 29(2): 85 (2003). = Graphis aphanes Mont, et Bosch Plant. Junghuhn., 4: 474 (1855).
Thallus continuous, buff to whitish green, smooth to cracked, sometimes warty, tightly attached to substratum, moderately thick, surrounded by thin black hypothallus. Ascomata lirelline, long, slender, 0.5-10 mm long and 0.4-0.5 mm broad, simple to rarely branched, immersed to semi-emergent, irregularly curved, flexuose, scattered, concolorous, tapering acute apices; disc narrow to broad, dark brown, epruinose, thalline margin distinct, entire, overarching the exciple; exciple, entire to 2-4 internally striate, present at the base, carbonized at the tips, and converging at the apical portion, non carbonized, orange brown to blackish-brown; epithecium blackish-brown, 18-21 \im
147 thick; hymenium hyaline, clear, 116-140 nm high, KI-; hypothecium hyaline, 25-35 ^m thick; paraphyses simple, unbranched, long, thin, septate, thickened at the apices; asci 4- 8-sporate, 103-105 x 11-14 ^im. Ascospores hyaline, oblong, with 10-14-transseptate, 25- 67 (-80) X 11-12 ^m, 1+ blue-violet. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow to red C-, KC-, P+ orange; UV-; constictic, norstictic and stictic acids present.
Habitat: This species has been collected from the semi-evergreen forest.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra), Bonin Island, Japan, Java, and Thailand.
Remarks: The species was earlier recorded from Maharashtra as Graphis aphanes (Patwardhan & Kulkami, 1976).
Specimens Examined: Kolhapur District, Vishalgad, Amba to Gajapur Road, 6.12.1974, C.R. Kulkami 8c M.B. Nagarkar, 74.2204, 74.2205, 74.2207. Sindhudurg District, Amboli, 28.9.1976, U.V. Makhija, 76.1230.
Hemithecium comntutabilis (Kremp.) comb. nov. [Figs.: 189] = Graphis commutabilis Kremp. Nuov. Giorn. Bot. Ital., 7: 33 (1875).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, pale luteous to honey brown, warty, cracked, areolate, epiphloeodal, studded with crystals, thick, with hyaline cortex; hypothallus absent. Ascomata lirelline, black, immersed to semi-emergent, more or less aggregated in defused patches on the thallus, flexuose, 5-7 mm long, mostly dendroidly branched, rarely simple, terminally obtuse; thalline margin distinctly raised, concolorous with the thallus; disc narrow slit-like; proper exciple not striate, convergent, pale brown, laterally noncarbonized and slightly carbonized at the tip; epihymenium dark brown to black, 12.5-21 |im thick; hymenium hyaline, 90-120 |im tall, KI-; hypothecium hyaline, 17-21 |im thick; paraphyses simple, unbranched; asci 4-8-sporate, unitunicate, clavate to cylindrical, 147-218 x 42-70 |im. Ascospores brown, muriform, ellipsoidal, with many transverse and vertical septa, 75-122 x 21-30 |j,m, I-.
148 Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: Hemithecium commutabilis has been collected in semi-evergreen forest at an altitude of about 1400 m.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra) and Borneo.
Remarks: Hemithecium commutabilis, appears to be a rather rare species collected only from Mahabaleshwar. It is close to H. caesiopruinosa Fee in the nature of the excipulum, size of ascospores and chemistry, however, the apothecial disc in latter species is wide open and caesiopruinose. The species has earlier been reported as Phaeographina commutabilis (Kremp.) Zahlbr. by Patwardhan & Kulkami (1979b).
Specimen Examined: Satara District, Mahabaleshwar, Wilson point, 1.11.1973, M.B. Nagarkar & A.V. Prabhu, 73.2931.
Hemithecium consociatum Makhija & Dube [Fig.: 190]
Mycotaxon, 93: 368 (2005).
Type: Maharashtra State, Kolhapur District, on the way to Phonda ghat from Radhanagari, 12.10.2000, U.V. Makhija & V.A. Mantri, 00.262 (Holotype- AMH) !.
Thallus crustose, corticolous, creamish to buff, smooth, cracked, moderately thick, surrounded by a thin black hypothallus. Ascomata lirelline, 0.3-1.5 mm long and 0.1-0.4 mm broad, simple to branched, 2-3 lirellae immersed in an elevated, linear, round or elongate, 0.7-2 mm long and 0.5-0.7 mm broad, non-stromatic, wart like structure; disc narrow to moderately broad, reddish-black; exciple orange-brown, present at the base, non carbonized, rarely carbonized at the tips, and converging at the apical portion, entire to sometimes striate, covered by a thick thalline margin till the top; epihymenium greenish- black, 14-18 |xm thick; hymenium hyaline, not inspersed, 74-112 ^im tall, KI-; hypothecium hyaline, 11-21 fim thick; paraphyses simple, septate, thickened and branched at the apices; asci 8-sporate. Ascospores hyaline, fusiform to oblong, 7-13- transseptate, 21-53 x 7-10 |am, 1+ violet.
149 Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P+ yellow; UV-; constictic, norstictic (trace) and stictic acids present.
Habitat: Hemithecium consociatum has been collected in moist place on the road side trees.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: Hemithecium consociatum is characterized by its short, simple to branched lirellate ascomata immersed in elevated, linear, round or elongate, non-stromatic, wart like structures, transseptate ascospores of 21-53 ^m long and the presence of constictic, stictic and norstictic (in trace) acids in its thallus.
Thus Hemithecium consociatum stands distinct among all species of Hemithecium and is not comparable with any other known species of this genus by virtue of its ascomata immersed in non-stromatic, wart like structures.
Hemithecium epixanthum (Mont. & Bosch) comb. nov. [Fig- 191] = Graphis epixantha Mont. & Bosch Plant. Junghuhn. Fasc, 4: All (1855).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, epiphloeodal, continuous, smooth to cracked, olivaceous buff, to citrine green, surrounded by a thin, black hypothallus. Ascomata lirelline, 2-6 mm long and 0.1-0.2 mm broad, simple to sparsely branched, immersed to semi-emergent, straight to curved, wavy, flexuous, concolorous with the thallus, with obtuse ends; thalline margin entire, raised, studded with crystals, encircling the exciple; disc narrow, reddish-brown to blackish-brown, epruinose; exciple 3-5 striate, pale yellow to brown, slightly carbonized only at the tips, present at the base, converging at the apical portion, covered by a thick thalline margin up to the top; hymenium hyaline, clear, 60-80 jam tall, KI-; hypothecium hyaline, 12-17 ^m thick; paraphyses simple, long, thin, septate, thickened at the apices; asci 8-sporate. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, ovoid, oblong, 50-71 x 15-25 ^m, 1+ blue-violet.
150 Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P+ orange; UV-; stictic and constictic acids present.
Habitat: The specimens have been collected in dry as well as semi-evergreen forests.
Distribution: India (Karnataka and Maharashtra) and Java.
Remarks: Hemithecium epixanthum exhibits a great variation in colour of the thallus, ascomata and branching pattern but shows uniform internal morphology and chemistry in having stictic and constictic acids. This species was earlier reported from Maharashtra as Graphina epixantha (Mont, et Bosch) Zahlbr. (Patwardhan & Kulkami, 1976).
Specimens Examined: Ahmednagar District, Bhandardara, 25.9.2002, G.S. Chitale & B.A. Adawadkar, 02.162. Kolhapur District, Panhala, 13.10.1974, P.G. Patwardhan & A.V. Prabhu, 74.1051, 74.1070, 74.1077, 74.1081, 74.1088, 74.1093, 74.1109, 74.1112, 74.1114, 74.1117, 74.1125a, 74.1128, 74.1130; 13.10.2000, U.V. Makhija & K.R Randive, 00.380; Vishalgad, 6.12.1974, M.B. Nagarkar & A.V. Prabhu, 74.2169, 74.2181, 74.2190. Nasik District, Saptashringi Gad, 24.9.2002, B.C. Behera & G.S. Chitale, 02.180, 02.181, 02.182, 02.194. Pune District, Bhimashankar, 17.9.1997, U.V. Makhija & B.A. Adawadkar, 97.15, 97.18, 97.21, 97.23, 97.28; Khandala, Boma hill, 18.9.1974, A.V. Prabhu, C.R. Kulkami & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.627, 74.628, 74.629; Lonavala, Walwan Dam, 16.9.2002, B.C. Behera & B.A. Adawadkar, 02.120; Purandar, 13.9.2002, U.V. Makhija & A.V. Bhosale, 02.54, 02.56, 02.57; Sinhagad, 16.8.2000, U.V. Makhija & B.A. Adawadkar, 00.48; Malshej Ghat, Neemgiri, 9.9.2002, U.V. Makhija & A.V. Bhosale, 02.12, 02.13, 02.15, 02.19, 02.23, 02.28. Raigad District, Hirdoshi, Bhor-Mahad road, 4.12.1974, C.R. Kulkami, 74.1957, 74.1967, 74.1980. Ratnagari District, Chiplun, 18.10.2002, G.S. Chitale; Dabhole Ghat, 5.12.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.2091; Gagan Bavda, 20.10.1974, C.R. Kulkami & A.V. Prabhu, 74.1667. Sindhudurg District, AmboH, 18.10.1974, C.R. Kulkami & A.V. Prabhu, 74.1385, 74.1389, 74.1391, 74.1416, 74.1421, 74.1422, 74.1433, 74.1437, 74.1438, 74.1441, 74.1442, 74.1485, 74.1555, 74.2280, 74.2281, 74.2290, 74.2319,
151 74.2362; 10.10.2000, U.V. Makhija & K.R. Randive, 00.211, 00.226, 00.272; Kasal, 12.10.2000, U.V. Makhija & K.R. Randive, 00.279, 00.244.
Hemithecium microspermum sp. nov. [Fig.: 192]
Type: India, Maharashtra, Kolhapur District, Vishalgad, 6.12.1974, C.R. Kulkami & P.G. Patwardhan, 74.2234 (Hoiotype-AMH).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, greenish-gray, smooth, cracked with the age, delimited by a black hypothalloidal region at the periphery. Ascomata lirelline, semi- immersed, mostly simple to irregularly branched, flexuous, 1-7.5 mm long and 0.1-0.2 mm broad; disc black, epruinose; exciple concolorous with the thallus, convergent, entire or with 1-2 apical groves, noncarbonized, absent at the base; hymenium hyaline, 63-80 l^m tall; hypothecium hyaline, 17-21 fim thick; paraphyses simple, long slender, branched at apices; asci 6-8-sporate. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, ellipsoidal, oblong, 17-21 x 8- 14 |im, 1+ violet. Chemistry: Thallus K+ orange, C-, KC+, P+ yellow to red; UV-; constictic, hyposalazinic, norstictic and stictic acids present.
Habitat: The species has been collected in montane forest at higher elevations.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: The new species Hemithecium microspermum is characterized by 1-7.5 mm long ascomata, noncarbonized exciple and hyaline, muriform, small ascospores of 17-21 X 8-14 \xm in size and by the presence of constictic, hyposalazinic, norstictic and stictic acids in its thallus and thus stands distinct, amongst all the known species of this genus.
Specimens Examined: Sindhudurg District, AmboU, 8.12.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.2307.
152 Hemithecium multistriatum (Mull. Arg.) comb. nov. [Figs.: 17& 193] = Graphina multistriata Miill. Arg. Jour. Linn. Soc. Bot., 29: 227 (1892).
Type: India, Manipur, G. Watt, No. 85, Isotype in G (habit photograph and slides seen).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, pale citrine to amber green, continuous, smooth; hypothallus distinctly black. Ascomata lirelline, distinctly emergent, pale woody brown to dull, cream coloured, straight to curved, flexuose, simple to rarely branched, tri- radiate, 1-4 mm long and 0.2-0.5 mm broad; disc narrow slit like to open, white pruinose; exciple pale woody brown, to dull cream coloured, striate, completely noncarbonized, present at the base; hymenium hyaline, 150-250 ^m tall, KI+ violet; hypothecium hyaline, 13-20 ^im thick; paraphyses simple, long slender, branched at apices; asci 1-2- sporate. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, ellipsoid to fusiform, 120-160 (-230) x 30-70 |jm, 1+ violet. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C- KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: The species has been collected on tree trunks in semi-evergreen and dry deciduous forests.
Distribution: India (Andaman Islands, Kamataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Manipur).
Remarks: Hemithecium multistriatum Miill. Arg. is rather a common species in India, and can easily be distinguished by its conspicuous ascomata with multistriate exciple, colourless, muriform, larger ascospores and no lichen substances in its thallus. The species was earlier recorded as Graphina multistriata from Maharashtra by Patwardhan & Kulkarni (1979c). This species is endemic to India.
Specimens Examined: Sindhudurg District, Amboli to Sawantawadi, Road, Nanapali, 8.12.1974, C. R. Kulkarni, 74.2313, 74.2358.
Hemithecium nakanishianum (Patw. & C.R. Kulkarni) Makhija & Dube Mycotaxon, 93: 370 (2005). [Figs.: 16, 44 & 194] = Graphis nakanishiana Patw. & C.R. Kulkarni
153 Norw. J. Bot., 26: 46 (1979).
Type: India, Kamataka, South Canara, Sringeri, C.R. Kulkarni & A.V. Prabhu, 74.3288 (Holotype-AMH)!.
Thallus crustose, corticolous, greenish glaucous to pale olivaceous buff, continuous or cracked, smooth. Ascomata semi-emergent to emergent, concolorous with the thallus or pale woody brown, flexuose to dendroidly branched, 2-7 mm long, ends subobtuse to acute; disc narrow, slit-like; exciple entire or indistinctly striate, convergent, crimson red to slaty, completely noncarbonized; epihymenium hyaline, thin; hymenium hyaline, not inspersed, 120-180 |nm tall, KI-; paraphyses simple, thin, unbranched; asci cylindrical, 4-8-sporate. Ascospores hyaline, 8-10(-15)-transseptate, 30-40(-60) x 6-9 |am, 1+ blue-violet.
Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P+ yellow; UV-; constictic, norstictic (trace) and stictic acids present.
Habitat: The species has been collected on roadside trees in both moist and dry conditions.
Distribution: India (Karnataka, Kerala and Maharashtra).
Remarks: In the protologue to Graphis nakanishiana a large number of specimens were cited under this name by Patwardhan & Kulkarni (1979a). The authors reported a "great range of variation in thallus colour, lirellae morphology (length, branching, and colour, nature of disc and labia) and size and number of locules of ascospores" and suggested that this was "possibly due to incomplete segregation of species by hybridization in a complex of two or more taxa". Careful examination of these specimens, resulted into the segregation of three distinct species namely, Hemithecium amboliense, H. aphanes, H. norsticticum £ind H. nakanishianum.
Hemithecium nakanishianum seems to be one of the most predominant and widely distributed species in Maharashtra.
154 Specimens Examined: Kolhapur District, on the way to Kumbhi from Gaganbavda, 12.10.2000, B.C. Behera «& B.A. Adawadkar, 00.344, B.C. Behera & V. A. Mantri, 00.346; Phonda to Vaibhavwadi, 12.10.2000, B.A. Adawadkar & K.R. Randive, 00.331; Radhanagari to Phonda, U.V. Makhija & V.A. Mantri, 00.265, 00.270; on the way to Phonda from Radhanagari, U.V. Makhija 8c V.A. Mantri, 00.264, 00.266, 00.280; Panhala, U.V. Makhija & V.A. Mantri, 00.381, 00.384, 00.389, 00.481; Panhala, 13.10.2000, U.V. Makhija «& V.A. Mantri, 00.391, 00.477, 00.478; Ajra, to Amboli, 8.10 Pune District, Dongarwadi, 19.9.2000, V.A. Mantri & K.R. Randive, 00.134, 00.136; Dongarwadi, U.V. Makhija & B.C. Behera, 00.131; Purandar fort, C.R. Kulkamz, 73.157; Lonavala, 00.86; Sinhagad, U.V. Makhija, 00.53; Lonavala, 30.9.2004, G.S. Chitale, 04.222, 04.223; Mulshi Ghat, 7.10.2003, P.Rao & G.S. Chitale, 03.441, 03.446; Ajra, 6.10.2004, U.V. Makhija & G.S. Chitale, 04.408, 04.409. Satara District, on the way to Mahabaleshwar, 28.9.2004, G.S. Chitale, 04.190. Sindhudurg District, Amboli, Shirgaonkar Point, U.V. Makhija & B.A. Adawadkar, 00.224, 00.229, 00.230; Amboli to Shirgaonkar point, U.V. Makhija & V.A. Mantri, 00.225, 00.241; on the way from Amboli to Ajra, U.V Makhija, 00.210; on the way to Sawantawadi from Amboli, U.V Makhija & B.A. Adawadkar, 00.238, 00.239; Ajra, 6.10.2004, B.C. Behera & N. Verma, 04.333, 04.407; Amboli, 7.10.2004; U.V. Makhija 8c G.S. Chitale, 04.399; 8.10.2004, U.V. Makhija, 04.346; Amboli, Shirgaonkar Point, 7.10.2004, G.S. Chitale & U.V. Makhija, 04.372.
Hemithecium norsticticum Makhija & Dube [Fig.: 195] Mycotaxon, 93: 371 (2005). Type: India, Maharashtra State, Bhimashankar, 29.9.1974, M.B. Nagarkar & C.R. Kulkami, 74.784 (Holotype- AMH) !.
Thallus crustose, corticolous, grayish-white to buff, glaucous, thin, smooth to cracked, sometimes warty, surrounded by thin, black, hypothallus. Ascomata lirelline, 1- 9 mm long and 0.5 mm broad, simple to rarely branched, immersed to semi-emergent, straight to irregularly curved, flexuose, scattered, concolorous with the thallus, tapering, terminally acute to obtuse; disc narrow, dark brown, 0.1-0.2 mm broad, epruinose; exciple complete, present at the base, converging at the apical portion, internally striate,
155 non carbonized, to rarely carbonized at tips; epihymenium dark brown to greenish-brown, 14-18 |im thick; hymenium hyaline, not inspersed, 53-81 |im tall, KI-; hypothecium hyaline, 10-18 f^m thick; paraphyses simple, long, thin, septate; asci 2-8-sporate. Ascospores hyaline, 7-14-transseptate, 25-56 x 7-8 \im, 1+ blue-violet.
Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; norstictic acid present.
Habitat: The new species is found in dry deciduous forest as well as in semi-evergreen forests and seems to be restricted to Maharashtra only.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: Hemithecium norsticticum is similar to Hemithecium aphanes (Mont, et Bosch) M. Nakan. & Kashiw., in its morphology and anatomy but differs from H. aphanes in containing norstictic acid in contrast to H. aphanes which contains constictic, norstictic and stictic acid in its thallus. Hemithecium nakanishianum, another species from India is very similar to H. norsticticum in exciple characters, ascospores size, but contains stictic and constictic acids with only traces of norstictic acid. Hemithecium norsticticum is distinguished from the chemically similar Hemithecium oshioi (M. Nakan.) M. Nakan. & Kashiw. (Nakanishi et ai, 2003) by the larger ascospores, in H oshioi the ascospores are 20-30 x 7-9 |am
Specimens Examined: Pune District, Bhimashankar, 29.9.1974, M.B. Nagarkar & C.R. Kulkami, 74.773, 74.778, 74.784, 74.786, 74.815; Dongarwadi, U.V. Makhija & B.A. Adawadkar, 00.137; Sinhagad, 16.8.2000, U.V. Makhija & B.A. Adawadkar, 00.52; Malshej Ghat, Neemgiri, 9.9.2002, U.V. Makhija & A.V. Bhosale, 02.16, 02.20, 02.21, 02.22, 02.29, 02.30. Satara District, Mahabaleshwar, Dhobighat, 9.3.1974. M.B. Nagarkar, 74.76; Bombay point, 29.11.1985, M.B. Nagarkar & P.G. Patwardhan, 75A, 85.1855, 85.1856, 85.2937. Sindhudurg District, Amba, 19.10.1974, C.R. Kulkarni & A.V. Prabhu, 74.1336, 74.1644.
Hemithecium salacinilabiatum (Patw. «& C.R. Kulkarni) comb. nov. [Fig.: 196] = Graphina salacinilabiata Patw. & C.R. Kulkami Biovigyanam, 5: 6 (1979).
156 Type: India, Kamataka, Coorg, Talcauvary, M.B. Nagarkar & A.V. Prabhu 74.3333 (Holotype-AMH)!.
Thallus crustose, corticolous, pale citrine to amber green, continuous, smooth; hypothallus distinctly black. Ascomata lirelline, distinctly emergent, pale woody brown to dull, cream coloured, straight to curved, flexuose, simple to rarely tri-radiate, 1-3 mm long and 0.2-0.5 mm broad; disc narrow to open, white pruinose; exciple woody brown, 4-5-striate, noncarbonized, present at the base; hymenium hyaline, 150-220 |im tall, KI+ violet; hypothecium hyaline, 12-21 |im thick; paraphyses simple to branched at apices; asci 1-2-sporate. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, 120-200 x 25-60 \xm, 1+ violet. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; salazinic acid present.
Habitat: This species is common in dry deciduous forests but also occurs in moist deciduous forest in Maharashtra.
Distribution: India (Kamataka, Kerala and Maharashtra).
Remarks: Hemithecium salacinilabiatum can easily be distinguished from the closely related species H. multistriatum Miill. Arg. in having salazinic acid in its thallus. H. multistriatum has no lichen substances.
This species was described by Patwardhan & Kulkami (1979c) as Graphina salacinilabiata Patw. & C.R. Kulkami from Western ghats of South India.
Specimens Examined: Sindhudurg District, Amboli, 7.12.1974, A. V. Prabhu & M. B. Nagarkar, 74.2259.74.2358.
Hemithecium sipmanii sp. nov. [Fig*' 197]
Type: India, Maharashtra, Sindhudurg District, Amboli, 18.10.1974, C.R. Kulkami &. A.V. Prabhu, 74.1434 (Holotypte-AMH).
157 Thallus crustose, corticolous, glaucous, yellowish-brown, epiphloeodal, smooth to rough, cracked with the age, 140-280 ^m thick. Ascomata lirelline, concolorous, flexuous, dendroidly branched, semi-emergent, terminally acute, 1-13 mm long and 0.3- 0.7 mm broad; disc narrow, blackish-brown to reddish-brown, epruinose, 0.1-0.2 mm broad; exciple brownish, entire, in sections exciple present at base, noncarbonized, convergent; epihymenium brown, 18-21 ^m thick; hymenium hyaline, clear, 77-140 |am tall, KI-; hypothecium hyaline, 18-35 |am thick, paraphyses simple, long, slender, septate, with brown capitate tips; asci 2-8-sporate, unitunicate, cylindrical, 91-100 x 11-14 fim. Ascospores hyaline to brown, fusiform-oblong, 13-20-transseptate, lumina lenticular, without a gelatinous sheath, 46-81 x 7-11 |im. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P+ yellow; UV-; stictic and constictic (trace) acids present.
Habitat: The specimen has been collected in rain forests.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: Hemithecium sipmanii somewhat similar to the new species H. undulatolirellatum in appearance and having brown ascospores but it can easily be differentiated from that species in the size of the ascomata, ascospores and chemistry.
Hemithecium undulatolirellatum has short, wavy lirellae (0.5-6 mm long) ascospores of 25-49 x 5-9 |am and has constictic, stictic and norstictic acids in its thallus whereas H. sipmanii has longer lirellae (1-13 mm long), larger ascospores of 46-81 x 7- 11 |am and constictic (trace), stictic acids in its thallus.
Hemithecium stictilabiatum (Patw. & C.R. Kulkarni) comb. nov. [Fig.: 198] = Graphina stictilabiata Patw. & C.R. Kulkarni Biovigyanam, 5: 6 (1979).
Type: India, Kamataka, South Canara, Rippon Peth-Tirthahalli road, C.R. Kulkarni. 74.2875 (Holotype-AMH) !.
158 Thallus crustose, corticolous, pale citrine to amber green, continuous, smooth; hypothallus distinctly black. Ascomata lirelline, distinctly emergent, pale woody brown to dull, cream coloured, straight to curved, flexuose, simple to rarely tri-radiate, 1-4 mm long and 0.2-0.7 mm broad; disc narrow slit like to open, white pruinose; exciple pale woody brown, to dull cream coloured, striate, completely noncarbonized, present at the base; hymenium hyaline, 150-210 (im tall, KI+ violet; hypothecium hyaline, 13-17 |im thick; paraphyses simple, long slender, branched at apices; asci 1-2-sporate. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, 112-209 x 30-66 |j,m, 1+ violet. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; only stictic acid present.
Habitat: The species has been collected in semi-evergreen forest.
Distribution: India (Karnataka and Maharashtra).
Remarks: This species was described by Patwardhan & Kulkami (1979c) as Graphina stictilabiata and also reported from Maharashtra. Hemithecium stictilabiatum differs from the most closely related to H. multistriatum in having stictic acid in its thallus. H. multistriatum lacks lichen substances.
Specimens Examined: Kolhapur District, Vishalgad, 6.12.1974, on the way from Amba to Gajapur, 7.12.1974, C.R. Kulkami & A.V. Prabhu, 74.2196. Sindhudurg District, Amboli, P.G. Patwardhan & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.2258, 74.2310.
Hemithecium undulatolirellatum sp. nov. [Fig- 199]
Type: India, Maharashtra, Kolhapur District, Panhala, 13.10.2000, U.V. Makhija & K.R. Randive, 00.392 (Holotype-AMH).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, buff to glaucous green, epiphloeodal, tightly attached to substratum, smooth, cracked with the age, delimited by black hypothallus, 105-116 ^im thick. Ascomata lirelline, concolorous, short, highly wavy and curved, simple to sometimes dendroidly branched, semi-emergent to emergent, terminally acute, 0.5-6 mm long and 0.2-0.5 mm broad; thalline margin paler than the thallus; disc narrow
159 to open, dark reddish-brown, with white pruina, flat, 0.1-0.2 mm broad; exciple reddish- brown to blackish-brown, superficially 2-4 striate, in sections exciple present at base, noncarbonized, convergent, carbonized at tips, covered by a thick thalline margin up to the top; epihymenium hyaline, 7-14 |am thick; hymenium hyaline, clear, 70-88 ^m tall, KI-; hypothecium hyaline, 14-18 i^m thick; paraphyses simple, sometimes branched at the apices, thick; asci 4-8-sporate, unitunicate, cylindrico-clavate, 56-88 x 9-11 |im. Ascospores fiasiform-oblong, brown, 9-13-transseptate, lumina lenticular, without a gelatinous sheath, 25-49 x 5-9 ^m, I-. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; norstictic, stictic and constictic acids present.
Habitat: The specimens have been collected in rain forest.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: In the present studies of the genus Hemithecium only two species with brown transseptate ascospores have been found. The new species Hemithecium undulatolirellatum resembles the new species H. sipmanii in having simple to dendroidly branched ascomata and convergent exciple, but it differs from the latter species in the size of lirellae, ascospore size and chemistry.
Hemithecium undulatolirellatum has short, wavy lirellae (0.5-6 mm long), ascospores brown, 9-13 transseptate, 25-49 x 5-9 ^m and has constictic, norstictic and stictic acids, whereas H sipmanii has larger lirellae (1-13 mm long), ascospores brown, 13-20-transeptate, of 46-81 x 7-11 |am and has constictic (trace), stictic acids.
Specimens Examined: Kolhapur District, Amba, 18.10.1974, C.R. Kulkami & A.V. Prabhu, 74.1255, 74.1263; 6.12.1974, M.B. Nagarkar & A.V. Prabhu, 74.2224. Sindhudurg District, AmboH, 18.10.1974, C.R. Kulkami & A.V. Prabhu, 74.1408, 74.1411, 74.1651; Gaganbavda, 20.10.1974, C.R. Kulkami &. A.V. Prabhu, 74.1658, 74.1659,74.1661.
160 Genus: Heterocyphelium Vain, (uncertain affinity in Caliciales) Acta. Soc. Fauna Fl. Fenn., 57: 16 (1927).
The lichen genus Heterocyphelium Vain, is characterized by: thallus crustose, corticolous. Photobiont a green alga {Trentepohlia). Apothecia sessile, mazaedium single in young apothecia, but divided int (3-) 5-7 mazaedia in mature condition. Asci unitunicate ascohymenials. Ascospores 2-3 septate, ellipsoid, constricted at septa. The genus is monotypic.
Heterocyphelium leucampyx (Tuck.) Vain, is the only species of this genus known at the world level (Kirk et al, 2001). The species is spread world wide and has also been reported from the Indian subcontinent including Maharashtra State (Awasthi, 1991, 2000).
Heterocyphelium leucampyx (Tuck.) Vain. [Figs.: 84, 85, 86 & 200] Acta. Soc. Fauna Fl. Fenn., 57: 16 (1927). = Trachylia leucampyx Tuck. Proc. Am. Acad. Arts Sci., 5: 309 (1862).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, grayish-white to grayish-green, thin, smooth to areolate, phycobiont Trentepohlia. Ascomata sessile, black, round to elongate, margin thalline, mazaedium black, single, round in young stage, later divided into (3-)5-7 irregular mazaedia interspersed by white tissue which is cormected with the margin; exciple dark brown to blackish; epihymenium indistinct; hymenium hyaline to light brown, 45-60 [xm tall; hypothecium dark brown. Ascospores dark brovm, thick walled, ellipsoidal, 3-4 celled, constricted at septa, septa thick and darker, central cell/ cells larger than apical cells, 10-16 x 6-8 i^m. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; unidentified substance indicated by brownish spot at Rf class 6 in TDA.
Habitat: Heterocyphelium leucampyx has been collected in moist open forest.
161 Distribution: India (Kamataka and Maharashtra), Australia, Brazil, Canada, China Cuba, Thailand and Venezuela.
Remarks: According to Tibell (1987) lichen products are absent in Heterocyphelium leucampyx but our specimens, as also reported earlier (Pant & Awasthi, 1989), have been found to possess an undetermined lichen product.
Specimens Examined: Sindhudurg District, Ajra-Amboli, 7.12.1974, P.G. Patwardhan & A.V. Prabhu, 74.2253, 74.3444.
Genus: Laurera Rchb. (Trypetheliaceae) Der Deutsche Botaniker seu Repert. Herbar., 15 (1841). emend. Letrouit-Galinou, Rev. Bryol. Lichen., 26: 207-264 (1957).
The lichen genus Laurera Rchb. is characterized by: thallus crustose, uniform, epi or endophloeodal, usually with a corticiform layer. Photobiont a green alga (Trentepohlia). Ascomata immersed in thalline verrucae in well defined stroma, stromata mono or polycarpic, verrucae concolorous with thallus or reddish-orange, yellow, white or brownish-black, perithecia globular or oval, with a black carbonaceous peridium, ostiole apical, punctiform or papillate, stromatal tissue outside the peridium much variable. Paraphyses branched and anastomosing. Asci 2-8 spored, bitunicate. Ascospores colourless, multicelled-muriform.
The lichen genus Laurera comprises 35 species at the world level (Kirk et al, 2001). Out of the 26 species of this genus known from the Indian subcontinent (Awasthi, 1991, 2000), Laurera vezdae Makhija & Patw. is the only species so far recorded from Maharashtra (Makhija & Patwardhan, 1988b).
Laurera vezdae Makhija & Patw. [Figs.: 29 & 201] Mycotaxon, 31(2): 587 (1988).
Type: India, Maharashtra, Kolhapur District, Vishalgad, Amba-Gajapur Road, 6.12.1974, M.B. Nagarkar and A.V. Prabhu, 74.2183 (Holotype-AMH) !
162 Thallus crustose, corticolous, greenish-yellow, glossy, smooth; cortex 33-100 |iim thick, hyaline to very light yellow; medulla white, studded with crystals. Pseudostromata concolorous with the thallus or brownish-yellow to brown coloured, round to irregular, slightly elevated, 1-15-carpic, 1-16.5 mm long and 1-5.5 mm broad; the corticiform layer does not reach the summit of the stromal formations or in the older ones this layer is altogether missing from stromatal formations, structure of the pseudostromata (Z. sphaerioides-type), ascomata black, carbonized, pyriform, with punctate, internally reddish-brown, papillate, black ostioles; asci bitvinicate, 2-4-sporate. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, 12-20-transseptate, 1-10-vertical septa, 88-176.4 x 33.6- 42 [im. Chemistry: Thallus K+ orange, P-. Medulla of the pseudostromata K-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: Laurera vezdae is a rare species collected in the shady, semi-evergreen forest at higher elevation.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: According to Makhija & Patwardhan( 1988b) Laurera vezdae is distinguished from the known species of the L. sphaerioides group by its brownish-yellow to brown coloured, rounded to irregular elevated pseudostromata, 2-4 spored asci with much larger ascospores. The other species of this group, L. sphaerioides (Mont.) Zahlbr. has distinctly white, polycarpic, irregular pseudostomata and L. chrysoglypha (Vain.) Zahlbr. has yellow coloured elevated, polycarpic peudostromata with orange coloured medulla. Both these species are characterized by 80-150 |am long ascospores and 2-spored asci.
This is the only species of Laurera found in Maharashtra and has so far not recorded outside Maharashtra and apparently restricted to this region.
Specimens Examined: Kolhapur District, Vishalgad, Amba-Gajapur Road, 6.12.1974, M.B. Nagarkar and A.V. Prabhu, 74.2175, 74.2180, 74.2183.
163 Genus: Lecanora Ach. (Lecanoraceae) Lichenogr., Univers., 11 (1810).
The lichen genus Lecanora Ach. is generally characterized by: thallus crustose, uniform or effigurate, squamulose to small foliose, lacking rhizinae, corticated or not, corticolous or saxicolous. Photobiont a green alga (Trebouxia or other genera). Apothecia sessile, round, lecanorine, hypothecium colourless or coloured. Paraphyses are always septate and sparsely branched, with forked, slightly thickened apices. Asci usually 8- spored, bitunicate, rarely 16-32-spored. Ascospores colourless, simple, usually ellipsoid, thin walled. Pycnoconidia bacillar, straight or curved.
Lecanora, the type genus of the family Lecanoraceae is one of the larger genera of the lichenized ascomycetes. Many genera have been split off from Lecanora to obtain a natural classification within the family and some of these are placed in different families today (Hafellner, 1984). Nevertheless, genus Lecanora is still species rich with about 300 species at the world level (Kirk et al., 2001).
In India a total of 88 species are so far known (Awasthi, 1991, 2000). Only 7 species, namely Lecanora allophana (Ach.) Rohl., Lecanora chlarotera Nyl., Lecanora fimbriatula Stirt., Lecanora intumescens (Rabenh.) Rabenh., Lecanora iseana Rasanen, Lecanora subfuscata H. Magnusson, and Lecanora warmingii Mull. Arg. were reported earlier from Maharashtra (Schubert & Klement, 1966; Patwardhan & Badhe, 1973a; Awasthi, 1991; Upreti & Chatterjee, 1997, Upreti, 1997).
An account of 19 species of the lichen genus Lecanora from Maharashtra has been presented. The occurrence of 12 species Lecanora argentata (Ach.) Degel., Lecanora cenisia Ach., Lecanora cf chlarotera Nyl., Lecanora cf. fimbriatula Stirt., Lecanora cf. imshaugii Brodo, Lecanora leproplaca Zahlbr., Lecanora cf perplexa Brodo, Lecanora cf subalbellina Vain., Lecanora cf xylophila Hue, Lecanora xylophila Hue, Lecanora sp. 1 and Lecanora sp. 2 has been recorded for the first time from Maharashtra.
164 Key to the species of Lecanora from Maharashtra la. Thallus sorediate, Thallus sorediate, soredia yellowish, powdery; apothecia 0.5-2 mm in diam.; amphithecial medulla with crystals, pulicaris-type; epihymenium granular, dissolving in KOH; ascospores 9-12 x 6-7 nm, wall distinct; pannarin present L. leproplaca
1 b. Thallus nonsorediate 2
2a. Apothecial disc pruinose, Apothecial disc pruinose, pruina whitish to dirty yellowish; amphithecial medulla pulicaris type; epihymenium granular, dissolving in KOH; ascospores 6-12 x 3.5-6 ^m; atranorin, protocetraric and fumarprotocetraric acids present L.cf. subalbellina
2b. Apothecial disc epruinose 3
3a. Epihymenium bluish-green 4
3b. Epihymenium other than bluish-green 5
4a. Epihymenium granular; amphithecial medulla pulicahs-type; hypothecium yellowish, reddish-brown to blackish; ascospores 7.5-9 x 4.5-6 [im; atranorin, 2'-0- methylperlatolic, norstictic acid and zeorin present L. ci.fimbriatula
4b. Epihymenium not granular; amphithecial medulla pulicaris-tyipe; hypothecium upper part light brown, lower brown; ascospores 9-13 x 6-8 |im; atranorin, 2'-0- methylperlatolic and zeorin absent L. fimbriatula
5a. Hypothecium dark reddish-brown 6
5b. Hypothecium other than brown 9
6a. Epihymenium hyaline to light brown, granular, not dissolving in KOH 7
6b. Epihymenium light yellow to sometimes brownish, granular, dissolving in KOH 8
7a. Thallus verrucose; apothecia adnate, black, 0.2-1 mm in diam.; epihymenium hyaline to light brown, granular; amphithecial medulla allophana-type; ascospores 12-14 X 3-6 ^m; atranorin and pannarin present Lecanora sp. 1
165 7b. Thallus smooth; apothecia sessile, grayish-black, upto 2 mm in diam; epihymenium hyaline to brown; ascospores 12-14 x 6-9 fim L. warmingii
8a. Thallus verrucose; apothecia brown to dark brownish-black, 0.2-1.8 mm in diam; amphithecial medulla allophana-type crystals; ascospores 15-18 x 6-9 ^m, 2 walled, upto 3 ^im thick; atranorin, gangleodin and an unidentified yellow spot at Rf 4 and terpenoids present L. xylophila
8b. Thallus verrucose, tuberculate; apothecia black, 0.2-1.2 mm in diam.; amphithecial medulla wide, allophana-iype crystals; ascospores thin walled, outer rough, 18-21 x 6-9 (xm; atranorin, fumarprotocetraric acid gangleodin and an unidentified substance present L. cf. xylophila
9a. Amphithecial medulla ''allophana' type 10
9b. Amphithecial medulla 'pulicaris' type 12
1 Oa. Ascospores not exceeding 15 [xm in length Thallus verruculose; apothecia rust brown to reddish-brown; epihymenium pale yellow to pale brown; hypothecium hyaline to sometimes yellowish - green; ascospores 6-9 x 3-6 ^m; atranorin, pannarin and zeorin present... L. cf. imshaugii
1 Ob. Ascospores exceeding 15 ^m in length 11
11a. Thallus verrucose; apothecia light to dark reddish-brown, upto 1 mm in diam.; hypothecivmi hyaline; ascospores 16-20 x 8-12 jim; atranorin and psoromic acid present L. intumescens lib. Thallus smooth; apothecia dark brown to black, 0.6-1 mm in diam.; hypothecium pale yellow; ascospores 12-18 x 7-12 ^m; TLC not done L. allophana
12a. Thallus containing only atranorin and zeorin 13
12b. Thallus containing atranorin, zeorin and other lichen substances 16
13a. Epihymenium not granular Thallus granular, verrucose, irregularly cracked; apothecia aggregated, 0.3-1.2 mm in diam.; hypothecium yellow brov^Ti to reddish-brown; ascospores 10-14 x 5-8 fim, with walls upto 0.5 |im thick L. iseana
13b. Epihymenium granular 14
166 14a. Epihymenium granular, dissolving in KOH Thallus rough, verruculose; apothecia dark brown to black, 0.2-1 mm in diam.; hypothecium hyaline to pale yellowish-green; ascospores 12-14 x 3-6 ^m; atranorin, zeorin, an unidentified substance and terpenoids L. cenisia
14b. Epihymenium granular not dissolving in KOH 15
15a. Thallus rough, verruculose; apothecia blackish-brown, semi-emergent to emergent, 0.1-1.7 mm; epihymenium pale yellow to brown; hypothecium hyaline to yellow- green; ascospores 9-18 x 6-9 ]x.n\; only atranorin present L. chlarotera
15b. Thallus verrucose; apothecia reddish-brown, immersed to adnate, 0.25-1 mm in diam.; epihymenium orangish-brown; hypothecium hyaline; ascospores 9-18 x 6-9 |am; atranorin and zeorin present £. cf. perplexa
16a. Thallus containing gangaleodin Thallus verruculose; apothecia reddish-brown to blackish-brown, 0.1-1 mm in diam.; epihymenium brown, granular; hypothecium hyaline to yellowish; ascospores 9-15x3-6 \x.m; atranorin and gangaleodin present L. argentata
16b. Thallus not containing gangaleodin 17
17a. Thallus verrucose; apothecia reddish-brown, 0.25-1 mm in diam.; epihymenium orangish-brown, granular; hypothecium hyaline; ascospores 12-16 x 3.5-4.5 ^m; atranorin, 2'-0-methylperlatolic acid, and zeorin present Lecanora sp. 2
17b. Thallus rough, verruculose; apothecia dark brown to blackish-brown, 0.1-1 mm in diam., emergent; epihymenium brown, granular; hypothecium hyaline to yellowish- green; ascospores 9-12 x 6-9 ^m; atranorin, norstictic acid and zeorin present, Z. cf. chlarotera
Lecanora allophana (Ach.) Rohl. DewrcW.F/., 3(2): 82 (1813). = Lecanora subfusca var. allophana Ach. Lick f/n/v., 395(1810).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, pale yellow to gray, smooth to rough, 1.5-2 cm diam.; hypothallus usually indistinct. Apothecia dark brown to black, sessile, 0.6-1.0 mm in diam., disc concave, dark brown to black, epruinose; exciple lecanorine with entire, crenate margin; amphithecial medulla with small crystals (allophana type); epihymenium loose, yellowish-brown; hymenium hyaline to pale yellow, 63-72 |j.m tall; hypothecium
167 hyaline to pale yellow, 9-18 i^m thick; asci 8-spored, cylindrical to clavate, bitunicate, 57-92 X 10-23 \im. Ascospores simple, one celled, hyaline, globose to ovate, uni or biseriate, 12-18 x 7-12 ^im, K1-. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow; C-, KC-, P+ yellow; UV-; TLC not done.
Habitat: A species found in semi-evergreen forests in India.
Distribution: India (Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur Nagaland and Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu), Canada and North America.
Remarks: The specimen [Maharashtra, Satara District, Mahabaleshwar, P.D. Badhe, No. 17-AMH] on which the earlier record of Lecanora allophana Patw. & Badhe (1973a), from Maharashtra is based, was not traceable and this species has not been found in the recent collections.
Lecanora allophana, appears to be widely distributed species of this genus in India.
Lecanora argentata (Ach.) Degel. [Fig.: 202] ^A-A:. 5o/., 24A:78(1931). = Parmelia subfusca n. P. argentata Ach. MetkLick, 169(1803).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, grayish-brown, rough, verruculose, cracked, nonsorediate, nonisidiate, 90-95 ^m thick; hypothallus distinctly black. Apothecia reddish-brown to blackish-brown, adnate, sessile, not constricted at the base, solitary, 0.1-1 mm in diam.; disc reddish-brown to blackish-brown, flat, epruinose; exciple thick, smooth to wavy, crenulate; amphithecial medulla with large crystals (pulicaris-Xype); epihymenium brovm, granular layer at the top, not dissolving in KOH, 12-18 [im thick; hymenium hyaline, 18-45 ^m tall; paraphyses simple to slightly branched, septate, capitate; hypothecium hyaline to yellowish, 120-150 |j.m thick; asci 8-sporate, cylindricoclavate, 30-42 x 12-15 [im, KI+ blue. Ascospores simple, hyaline, oval, 9-15 x 3-6 ^m, KI-.
168 Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, KC-, C-, P+ yellowish; UV-; atranorin and gangaleodin present.
Habitat: The specimens were collected in dry deciduous forests.
Distribution: India (Andhra Pradesh, Andaman Islands, Maharashtra and West Bengal), Canada and New Zealand.
Remarks: The specimens of this species at hand agree in all respects with Lecanora argentata except the granular epihymenium in our specimens. This is a new record to Maharashtra.
Specimens Examined: Ahmednagar District, Bhandardara, 25.9.2002, G.S. Chitale & B.A. Adawadkar, 02.150. Pune District, Purandar fort, 13.9.2002, U.V. Makhija & B.C. Behera, 02.43.
Lecanora cenisia Ach. [Fig.: 203] Lick Univ., 361 (1810).
Tliallus crustose, corticolous, grayish-green, verruculose, rough, cracked, nonsorediate, nonisidiate, 90-105 |am thick; hypothallus slightly whitish to black. Apothecia dark brown to black, adnate to subsessile, solitary, 0.2-0.8 (-1) mm in diam.; disc dark reddish-brown, flat to convex, epruinose; exciple concolorous with the thallus, smooth; amphithecial medulla with large crystals (pulicaris type); epihymenium dark brown, granular, dissolving in KOH, 9-12 ^m; hymenium hyaline, uneven, 30-45 ^m tall, KI+ blue; paraphyses simple to branched; hypothecium hyaline to pale yellowish-green, 69-75 i^m thick; asci 8-sporate, biseriate, KI+ blue. Ascospores simple, hyaline, oval, 12- 14x3-6 ^im, KI-. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P+ yellow; UV-; atranorin, zeorin, an unidentified substance (greenish-brown spot at Rf 4 in TEF) and fatty acids.
Habitat: In Maharashtra it has been collected in dry deciduous forests.
169 Distribution: India (Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra and Manipur), Canada, North America and New Zealand.
Remarks: According to Brodo (1984) Lecanora cenisia is variable in colour and substrate. It is known to be the most common rock dwelling species of the subfusca group. He reported 4 chemical races of this species in N. America of which the one with rocellic acid is the most common and the races with gangaleodin, fatty acids and atranorin are rare. However, the Indian material of this species falls under the "atranorin alone strain". Our specimens possess atranorin, zeorin and an unidentified substance and fatty acids. The material was collected on bark of the trees. This is a new record to Maharashtra.
Specimens Examined: Chandrapur District, Tadoba Colony Road, 24.8.2000, K.R. Randive &. V.A. Mantri, 00.76. Pune District, Tamihini ghat, 7.10.2003, B.C. Behera «fe N. Verma, 03.425; G.S. Chitale &. N. Verma, 03.458; Lonavala, 29.8.2000, V.A. Mantri 8c K.R. Randive, 00.94, 00.95, 00.369; Amby valley, 5.8.2003, B.C. Behera «fe G.S. Chitale, 03.230, G.S. Chitale & B.A. Adawadkar, 03.260; Khandala, 14.7.1970, P.G. Patwardhan, 70.17; 1.8.1971, P.G. Patwardhan & P.D. Badhe, 71.23, 71.24; Pune University Campus, 6.6.1970, P.D. Badhe, 70.5.
Lecanora chlarotera Nyl. [Fig.: 204] Bull. Soc. Linn. Norm., ser. 2, 6: 274 (1872).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, gray, glaucous or cream, rough, smooth verrucose, cracked, areolate, 4-5 cm in diam., nonsorediate, nonisidiate; hypothallus indistinct to sometimes black. Apothecia dark brown to blackish-brown, semi-emergent to emergent, solitary, sometimes grouped, crowded, 0.1-1.7 mm in diam.; disc dark brown to blackish- brown, flat to slightly concave, epruinose; exciple concolorous with the thallus, smooth to slightly crenulate-wavy in mature apothecia; amphithecial medulla with large crystals (pulicaris-type); epihymenium pale yellow to brown, granular, not dissolving in KOH, 21-30 ixm thick; hymenium hyaline, with small to large hexagonal crystals, 45-75 \xm tall, KI+ blue; paraphyses simple, sparsely branched at tips; hypothecium hyaline to
170 yellow-green, 45-75 ^m thick; asci 8-sporate, clavate, 30-54 x 9-12 [xm, KI+ blue. Ascospores simple, hyaline, oval to ellipsoidal, 9-18 x 6-9 iim, KJ-. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, KC-, C-, P-; UV-; atranorin present.
Habitat: The species has been collected in moist and dry deciduous forests.
Distribution: India (E. Himalayas, Kashmir, Kamataka, Maharashtra, Manipur, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, W. Himalayas and South Indian hills), Canada and New Zealand.
Remarks: This commonly occurring species in India was recorded earlier by Patwardhan & Badhe (1973 a) from Maharashtra.
Specimens Examined: Kolhapur District, Panhala, 13.10.1974, P.O. Patwardhan & C.R. Kulkami, 74.1211, 74.1218, 74.1220, 74.2160, 74.2161. Pune District, Pune, 6.6.1970, P.O. Patwardhan & P.B. Badhe, No. 14.
Lecanora cf. chlarotera Nyl. [Fig-: 205] Bull. Soc. Linn. Norm., ser. 2, 6: 274 (1872).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, gray to glaucous to cream, rough, verrucose to areolate, finely cracked, nonsorediate, nonisidiate, 4.5-5 cm in diam.; hypothallus indistinct to sometimes black. Apothecia dark brown to blackish-brown, emergent, mostly solitary to sometimes grouped, 0.1-1 mm in diam.; disc dark brown to blackish- brown, flat to slightly concave, epruinose; exciple concolorous with the thallus, smooth, crenulate-wavy in mature apothecia; amphithecial medulla with large crystals (pulicaris- type); epihymenium brown, granular, not dissolving in KOH, 12-15 ^m thick; hymenium hyaline, inspersed with small to large crystals, 45-70 |am tall, KI+ blue; paraphyses simple, branched at tips; hypothecium hyaline to yellow-green, 45-55 |am thick; asci 8- sporate, clavate, 30-65 x 9-10 ^m, KI+ blue. Ascospores simple, hyaline, oval to ellipsoidal, 9-12 x 6-9 [am, KI-. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, KC-, C-, P-; UV-; atranorin, norstictic acid and zeorin present.
171 Habitat: The specimens have been collected in semi-evergreen forests.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: The distinguishing characters of Lecanora chlarotera Nyl. are dark brown to blackish-brown apothecia with a smooth to crenulate-wavy exciple in mature apothecia; epihymenium brown, granular, not dissolving in KOH; amphithecial medulla with large crystals and presence of atranorin and zeorin in its thallus. However, the occurrence of norstictic acid in addition to atranorin and zeorin enables us to place it as Lecanora cf. chlarotera.
Specimens Examined: Kolhapur District, Panhala, 9.9.1988, P.G. Patwardhan &. M.B. Nagarkar, 88.104, 88.105.
Lecanora fimbriatula Stirt. Proc. Phil. Soc. Glasgow, 11: 311 (1879).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, rimose-areolate to verruculose, whitish or greenish- gray, margin definite; hypothallus whitish. Apothecia sessile, 0.3-1 mm in diam., disc black, epruinose, margins entire in young ones, verruculose at maturity; epihymenium dark greenish-brown to greenish-black, pigmentation turning greenish in KOH, egranular; amphithecium pulicaris-typc:, hymenium hyaline, 60-170 ^im tall; hypothecium upper part light brown, lower part brown, 60-150 \im. Ascospores oval, 9- 13 X 6-8 ^m; pycnidia not seen. Chemistry: Thallus and apothecial margin K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; atranorin and 2'-0- methylperlatolic acid present.
Habitat: Collected in moist deciduous forests.
Distribution: India (Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh) and Nepal.
172 Remarks: Lecanora fimbriatula is characterized by the dark apothecial discs, the KOH+ greenish epihymenium and the presence of 2'-0- methylperlatoHc acid. In morphology it has been reported (Upreti & Chatterjee, 1997) to be very close to a number of Tephromela spp. but the latter have different chemistry.
The species is also distributed in Central Himalayas on Quercus spp. at an elevation of 2700 m, Western Ghats, Goa and Western Nepal. It was recorded by Upreti & Chatterjee (1997) from Maharashtra, [Pune District, Lonavala, Tigers leap, Awasthi 4073, 4074 (AWAS).] and the description is based on this earlier record.
Lecanora cf. fimbriatula Stirt. [Fig-: 206] Proc. Phil. Soc. Glasgow, 11: 311 (1879).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, grayish-white, areolate, rough, cracked, nonsorediate, nonisidiate; hypothallus distinctly black. Apothecia black, large, adnate to sessile, slightly constricted at the base, abundant, solitary to grouped, 0.2-2.2 mm in diam.; disc black, flat to concave, epruinose; exciple concolorous with the thallus, smooth, to slightly wavy, flexuose; amphithecial medulla with small crystals (pulicaris- type); epihymenium bluish-green, granular, not dissolving in KOH, 15-21 |im thick hymenium hyaline to light brownish, inspersed with crystals, 75-90 fim tall, KI+ blue paraphyses simple to branched, tips bluish-green, dissolving in KOH, capitate-globose hypothecium yellowish, reddish-brown to blackish, 39-75 |am thick; asci 8-sporate, clavate, 30-39 x 12-13 fxm, KI+ blue. Ascospores simple, hyaline, oval, 7.5-9 x 4.5-6 |am, KI -. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P+ yellow; UV-; atranorin, 2'-0- methylperlatolic acid, zeorin and norstictic acid present.
Habitat: Commonly collected in semi-evergreen forests.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
173 Remarks: The distinguishing characters of Lecanora fimbriatula Stirt. are apothecia with amphithecial medulla "pulicaris-type'; epihymenium bluish-green, not dissolving in KOH; presence of atranorin and 2'-0-methylperlatolic acid. Our specimens are similar to L fimbriatula in almost all the characters, but differ from this species by the presence of norstictic acid and zeorin along with atranorin and 2'-0-methylperlatolic acid so it is placed as L. cf fimbriatula. It appears to be the most common species of Lecanora in Maharashtra.
Specimens Examined: Kolhapur District, Amba, 16.10.1974, A.V. Prabhu & C.R. Kulkami, 74.1322; 17.10.1974, C.R. Kulkami & A.V. Prabhu; Sakarpa-Amba Road, 6.12.1974, M.B. Nagarkar, 74.2220; Panhala, 13.10.1974, P.G. Patwardhan & C.R. Kulkami, 74.1140, 74.1142, 74.1148, 74.1165, 74.1182, 74.1186, 74.1188, 74.1193, 74.1195, 74.1196, 74.1197, 74.1198, 74.1380; 4.9.1990, U.V. Makhija & B.A. Adawadkar, 90.28; 13.10.2000, B.C. Behera & K.R. Randive, 00.426, 00.427; on the way to Phonda from Radhanagari, 12.10.2000, U.V. Mahkija & K.R. Randive, 00.293. Nasik District, Brahmagiri, 5.8.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.301. Pune District, Hiroshi: Bhor-Mahad, 4.12.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.1955; Junnar, Durgawadi, 2.9.2003, U.V. Makhija & N. Verma, 03.312, 03.314; 17.9.2004, B.A. Adawadkar & G.S. Chitale, 04.148, 04.116; Khandala, Boma Hill, 18.9.1974, C.R. Kulkami & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.731, 74.739; 29.8.2000, B.C. Behera & B.A. Adwadkar, 00.114; Lonavala, Amby valley, 30.9.2004, B.C. Behera, 04.207; Walwan Dam, 16.9.2002, G.S. Chitale & U.V. Makhija, 02.117; Lonavala, 30.9.2004, N. Verma, 04.232; Purandar fort, Dt. 1972, P.G. Patwardhan, 72.149; 13.9.2002, U.V. Makhija & B.C. Behera, 02.45; Tamihini Ghat, 7.10.2003, B.C. Behera & N. Verma, 03.418. Raigad District, Poladpur-Ambenali Ghat, 2.11.1973, C.R. Kulkami, 73.26, 73.2944. Satara District, Mahabaleshwar; 28.9.2004, G.S. Chitale, 04.194; on the way to Arther seat point, 27.11.1974, M.B. Nagarkar & A.V. Prabhu, 74.1711; Lingmala, 15.7.2003, U.V. Makhija & N. Verma, 03.116, 03.117, 03.120, Lodwick Point Road, 28.11.1974, M.B. Nagarkar & A.V. Prabhu, 74.1846; Tiger's Path, 8.3.1974, M.B. Nagarkar, 74.26; Kas Dam, G.S. Chitale, 04.107. Sindhudurg District, Amboli, 19.10.1974, C.R. Kulkami & A.V. Prabhu, 74.1654, 74.1655; 7.10.2004, U.V. Makhija & G.S. Chitale, 04.393.
174 Lecanora cf. imshaugii Brodo [Figs.: 10 & 207] Nova Hedwigia, 79: 63 (1984).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, grayish, verruculose, rough, cracked, 54-64 \xm thick, nonsorediate, nonisidiate; hypothallus distinctly black. Apothecia rust brown to brown, adnate to slightly constricted at the base, solitary to grouped, 0.2-1.3 mm in diam.; disc red brown to rust brown, flat to convex, epruinose; exciple concolorous with the thallus, smooth; amphithecial medulla with small crystals {allophana type); epihymenium pale yellow to pale brown, sometimes granular, not dissolving in KOH, 12- 15 ^im thick; hymenium hyaline to pale brown, inspersed with crystals, 60-75 [am tall, KI+ blue; paraphyses simple to branched, not dissolving in KOH, capitate; hypothecium hyaline to sometimes yellowish-green, 60-66 ^m thick; asci 8-sporate, clavate, 36-39 x 15-18 ^m, KI+ blue. Ascospores simple, hyaline, oval, 6-9 x 3-6 (am, KI -. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; atranorin, zeorin and pannarin present.
Habitat: Collected in both dry and moist deciduous forests.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: The present species comes very close to Lecanora imshaugii Brodo but differs from it only in lacking the gelatinous cortex in the thallus in our specimens.
Morphologically comparable to Lecanora allophana (Ach.) Nyl. as the amphithecium is of allophana-type; the apothecia are circular, constricted at the base and rarely sessile; disc is reddish-brown; thallus is grayish but this species differs from L. allophana, in the ascospore size. L. allophana has much larger ascospores of 13-20 x 6-9 [im and does not contain zeorin. This is a new record to this region.
Specimens Examined: Ahmednagar District, Kalsubai, 25.9.2002, U.V. Makhija & G.S. Chitale, 02.166; Bhandardara, 25.92002, G.S. Chitale & B.A. Adawadkar, 02.151. Kolhapur District, Panhala, 13.10.2000, U.V. Makhija & K.R. Randive, 00.417, 00.419, 00.421, 00.424; on the way to Phonda from Radhanagari, 12.10.2000, U.V. Makhija &
175 K.R. Randive, 00.301. Nasik District, Saptashringi gad, 24.9.2002, B.A. Adawadkar & A.V. Bhosale, 02.189. Pune District, Purandar fort, 12.3.1971, P.G. Patwardhan &. P.D. Badhe, 71.13, 71.138; 30.10.1971, P.D. Badhe, 71.41; Malshej ghat, Neemgiri, 9.9.2002, B.C. Behera &. U.V. Makhija, 02.31; Sinhagad, 4.7.2003, U.V. Makhija & N. Verma, 03.15, 03.54. Satara District, Gureghar, 21.6.1973, M.B. Nagarkar & C.R. Kulkami, 73.9,73.19,73.66.
Lecanora intumescens (Rebent.) Rabenh Deutsch. Krypt. Flora, 2: 34 (1845). = Parmelia intumescens Rebent. Prodom. Flora Neomarc,: 301 (1804).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, gray to ashy-gray, thin, cracked, smooth to slightly verrucose, margin definite, hypothallus black. Apothecia light to dark reddish-brovsTi, crowded; upto 1 mm in diam., appressed-adnate, slightly constricted at the base; disc light to dark reddish-brown, smooth, flat in young state, becoming convex, margin concolorous with the thallus, heavily crenulate, thick; epihymenium reddish-brown, granular; amphithecial medulla allophana-type; hymenium hyaline, 100-150 \im tall; hypothecium hyaline, 50-80 \xm thick; asci clavate, 8-sporate, 40-60 x 16-24 |im; ascospores hyaline, broadly ellipsoid, 16-20 x 8-12 ^im, walls 1 ^m thick. Chemistry: Thallus and margin of apothecia K+ yellow, C-, KC- P-; UV-; atranorin and psoromic acid present.
Habitat: This species is generally found on bark of various trees.
Distribution: India (Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal) and Canada.
Remarks: The species has been reported (Upreti, 1997) to be close to Lecanora hemiphracta Hue, in having appressed, adnate apothecia and an epihymenium with granules, but differs in producing psoromic acid instead of zeorin. Earlier recorded from Maharashtra by Schubert & Klement (1966) but not found in the recent collections.
176 Description is based on the earlier record by Upreti (1997).
Lecanora iseana Rasanen J. Jap. Bot.. 16: 91 (1940).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, ashy gray to greenish gray-brown, thick, granular, verrucose to irregularly cracked-areolate; margin indefinite; hypothallus black. Apothecia abundant, dense, aggregated into groups, circular to irregularly crowded, 0.3- 1.2 mm in diam., immersed to appressed-adnate, slightly constricted at base; disc dark reddish-brown to brownish-black, epruinose, flat at young stage, concave at maturity; margin of apothecia concolorous with the thallus, mostly entire or flexuose or thin in larger apothecia and thick in young, smaller apothecia; epihymenium yellow dark brown, without granules; amphithecium pulicaris-type; hymenium hyaline, upto 250 |xm tall in mature apothecia; hypothecium yellowish-brown to reddish-brown, 50-150 |im high; asci cylindrico-clavate, 8-sporate, 50-60 x 10-16 |am; ascospores broadly ellipsoid, 10-14x5- 8 fim, with walls upto 0.5 [im thick. Chemistry: Thallus and apothecial margin K+ yellow, KC-, C-, P-; UV-; atranorin and zeorin present.
Habitat: This species is generally found on the bark of various trees like Shorea, Euphorbia, Erythrina, Ficus, Phoenix, Cinchona and Quercus.
Distribution: India (Jammu & Kashmir, Kamataka, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal), Japan and Nepal.
Remarks: Lecanora iseana is distinguished by its yellowish-brown to reddish-brown hypothecium and dark reddish-brown to brownish-black apothecia. In external morphology and dark condition of hypothecium it is closer to Lecanora xylophila Hue, but the latter has allophana-type of amphithecium. Miyawaki (1988) reported the presence of Lecanora-3 chemical substance with atranorin and zeorin in Japanese specimens, while Upreti (1997) reported only atranorin and zeorin, in Indian specimens.
177 Lecanora iseana was reported from Khandala in Maharashtra (Upreti, 1997) but it has not been found in the present collections, the description is therefore taken from this earlier publication.
Lecanora leproplaca Zahlbr. [Fig.: 208] In Magnusson «& Zahlbruckner, Ark. Bot., 31A(6): 64 (1944).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, yellowish-gray, smooth to rough, cracked, sorediate, soredia powdery yellowish, all over the surface, nonisidiate; hypothallus indistinct. Apothecia brownish, immersed to adnate, slightly constricted at the base, mostly solitary or grouped in two to five, 0.5-2 mm in diam.; disc yellowish-brown to brown, flat to slightly concave, epruinose; exciple concolorous with the thallus, entire to invaginated, smooth to crenulate-wavy; amphithecial medulla with large crystals, pulicaris-type; epihymenium hyaline to sometimes brown, slightly granular, dissolving in KOH, 6-15 ^m thick; hymenium hyaline small to large hexagonal crystals seen, 30-45 |im thick, KI+ blue; paraphyses simple to slightly branched, thick; hypothecium hyaline to yellow, 66-75 ^m thick; asci 8-sporate, clavate, 24-60 x 9-15 fim, KI+ blue. Ascospores simple, hyaline, young, round, oval, wall distinct, 9-12 x 6-7 |xm, K1-. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, KC-, C-, P-; UV-; parmarin present.
Habitat: The specimens have been collected in dry regions of Pune and Nasik.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra), Hawaii Islands.
Remarks: This is the only sorediate species of Lecanora collected from Maharashtra. This is reported for the first time from Maharashtra.
Specimens Examined: Nasik District, Saptashringi Gad, 3.8.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.174, 74.189. Pune District, Purandar fort, 1972, P.G. Patwardhan, 72.145, 72.146.
Lecanora cf. perplexa Brodo [Figs.: 9 & 209] Beih. Nova Hedwigia, 79: 148-150(1984).
178 Thallus crustose, corticolous, grayish-white, pale grayish at periphery, areolate, 81-90 |am thick, rough, verrucose, cracked, nonsorediate, nonisidiate; hypothallus indistinct. Apothecia reddish-brown to black, immersed to adnate, abundant, solitary to crowded, 0.25-1 mm in diam.; disc reddish-brown to black, flat to concvex, broad, epruinose; exciple grayish to concolorous with the thallus, thick, entire to crenulate, sometimes invading the disc; amphithecial medulla with large crystals (pulicaris-type); epihymenium orangish-brown, slightly granular, not dissolving in KOH, 12-18 \xm thick; hymenium hyaline, inspersed with crystals, 27-39 ^im thick, KI+ blue; paraphyses simple to branched, thick, globose at tips; hypothecium hyaline, 39-45 [xm thick; asci 8-sporate, clavate, 43-45 x 12-13 [im, KI+ blue. Ascospores simple, hyaline, oval, 9-18 x 6-9 ^m, KI-. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, KC-, C-, P-; UV-; atranorin and zeorin present.
Habitat: The specimens have been collected in moist, as well as dry deciduous forests.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: The present species is identical in all respects with Lecanora cf. perplexa Brodo.
Specimens Examined: Koihapur District, Panhala, 13.10.1974, P.G. Patwardhan & A.V. Prabhu, lA.UlA. Pune District, Malavali, Bhaja Road, 26.7.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.147. Satara District, Gureghar, 8.3.1974, M.B. Nagarkar, 74.38; Mahabaleshwar, Arther Seat, 27.11.1974, M.B. Nagarakar, 73.1793.
Lecanora cf. subalbellina Vain. [Fig- ."210] Acta. Soc. Fauna Flora Fenn., 1:1^ (1890).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, grayish-yellow, rough, cracked, shiny, nonsorediate, nonisidiate, peripheral region yellowish-white, distinctly subsquamulose; hypothallus black. Apothecia reddish or brownish-black, adnate, sessile, abundant in the central part of the thallus, solitary to sometimes in grouped, 0.2-2.2 mm in diam.; disc
179 yellowish-red to brown-black, flat to slightly concave, heavily pruinose, pruina whitish to dirty yellowish; exciple concolorous with the thallus; amphithecial medulla with large crystals (pulicaris-type) uniform; epihymenium granular, dissolving in KOH, 21-23 ^im thick; hymenium hyaline, inspersed with small to large hexagonal crystals, KI+ blue; paraphyses simple to branched, thick, not septate; hypothecium light yellow to sometimes brownish; asci 8-sporate, clavate, 30-33 x 9-12 \im, KI+ blue. Ascospores simple, hyaline, yoimg round, oval, wall distinct, 6-12x3.5-6 |im, KI-. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, KC-, C-, P+ yellowish; UV-; atranorin, protocetraric, and flimarprotocetraric acids present.
Habitat: The specimens have been collected in deciduous forests.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarl(s: The present species is being reported for the first time from Maharashtra.
Specimens Examined: Pune District, Purandar fort, 27.10.1993, U.V. Makhija, 93.19, 93.20.
Lecanora subfuscata H. Magn. Meddl. Goteborgs Bot. Tradg., 7: 79(1932). Lecanora subfuscata H. Magn. was reported by Schubert & Klement (1966) from Maharashtra but we have not seen these specimens and also this species has not been found in the present collections. Moreover, this species has now been placed as a synonym of Lecanora argentata (Ach.) Degel.
Distribution: hidia (Maharashtra), Europe and America.
Lecanora warmingii Miiil. Arg. F/ora, 63:278(1880).
Thallus thick, smooth, more or less warty, irregular, hemispherical. Apothecia sessile, not abundant, margin crenulate, thick, 2 mm; exciple prominent, elevated; disc grayish-black to black, plane, naked; epihymenium hyaline to brown, lumina;
180 hypothecium reddish-brown, to hyaline; paraphyses conglutinate; asci 8-sporate, narrow. Ascospores oval to ellipsoidal, 12-14 x 6-9 ^im.
Distribution: India (Jammu & Kashmir and Maharashtra) and Brazil.
Remarks: Lecanora warmingii Miill. Arg. was reported by Schubert & Klement (1966) from Maharashtra but we have not seen this collection nor we have this species in our recent collection. The description in fact, is based on the protologue of Miill. Arg. (1880).
Lecanora cf. xylophila Hue [Figs. :11,34«&211] Ann.Mycol.,n:9\ (1915).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, greenish-gray, rough to verrucuose, tuberculate, cracked, slightly areolate, 108-120 |im thick, algal layer 45-60 \xm thick, nonsorediate, nonisidiate; hypothallus not distinct. Apothecia black, adnate, subsessile, slightly constricted at the base, abundant, mostly solitary, rarely in groups of two to three, 0.2-1.2 mm in diam.; disc blackish, flat to slightly concave, epruinose; exciple thick, rough to crenulate, tuberculate; amphithecial medulla allophana-type; epihymenium brownish, slightly granular, dissolving in KOH, 21-23 f^m thick; hymenium hyaline, 90-95 |am tall, KI+ blue; paraphyses simple to slightly branched, thick, not septate; hypothecium dark brown, 120-165 ^m thick; asci 6-8-sporate, clavate to cylindrical, 90-105 x 21-23 ^im, KI+ blue. Ascospores simple, hyaline, oval to slightly ellipsoidal, thin walled, appears rough, thin walled on the outer side, 18-21 x 6-9 [im, KI. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, KC+ light yellow, C-, P+ yellowish; UV-; atranorin and gangaleodin, and an unidentified substance indicated by yellow to peach spot below gangleodin in TEF.
Habitat: It is a very rare species and the specimen has been collected in dry region.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: Lecanora xylophila Hue is distinguished by a yellow to dark brown hypothecium, esorediate thallus, with white medulla, apothecial disc brown, and with
181 atranorin and an unidentified substance indicated by yellow spot at Rf class 4 in TEF. Our species, however, differs in having atranorin and gangleodin and an unidentified yellow to peach substance below gangleodin in TEF, so it is placed as a closely related form of L. xylophila.
Specimen Examined: Pune District, Malshej Ghat, 9.9.2002, B.C. Behera 8c U.V. Makhija, 02.32.
Lecanora xylophila Hue [Fig.: 212] Ann.Mycol.,n:9\ (1915).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, grayish-green, rough to partly verrucose, deeply cracked, nonsorediate, nonisidiate; hypothallus distinctly black. Apothecia brown to dark brownish (black), adnate, sessile, to immersed, abundant, mostly solitary, sometimes grouped in two or three, not crowded, 0.2-1.8 mm in diam.; disc brown to brownish- black, flat to slightly concvex, epruinose; exciple whitish to concolorous with the thallus, smooth; amphithecial medulla allophana-Xype; epihymenium light yellowish sometimes brownish, granular dissolves in KOH, 3-6 |im thick; hymenium hyaline, light yellow, 60- 75 |im tall, KH- blue; paraphyses simple to slightly branched, thick, not septate; hypothecium dark brown, 24-45 ^m thick; asci 6-8-sporate, clavate, 69-72 x 21-23 \xm, KI+ blue. Ascospores simple, hyaline, oblong to slightly ellipsoidal, 2-walled, inner and outer, thickness less than 3 nm, 15-18x6-9 fim, KI-. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, KC-, C-, P+ yellowish; UV-; atranorin and gangaleodin, and an unidentified substance indicated by a yellow spot at Rf 4 in TEF, and terpenoids.
Habitat: The species has been collected in moist deciduous forests.
Distribution: India (Goa, Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal), Canada and Japan.
Remarks: Lecanora xylophila a common species in India, is distinguished by hypothecium with an upper part yellow-brown and lower part dark brown; thallus esorediate with white medulla; apothecial disc brown, and thallus containing atranorin
182 and an unidentified lichen substance (indicated by a yellow spot at Rf class 4 in TEF). The species is being reported for the first time from Maharashtra.
Specimens Examined: Raigad District, Kamala, 28.8.1974, M.B. Nagarkar & A.V. Prabhu, 74.474, 74.577, 74.593, 74.559, 74.606; 27.8.1974, P.G. Patwardhan & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.409; 4.12.1974, M.B. Nagarkar & A.V. Prabhu, 74.1941; 13.8.1973, V.D. Vartak, 73.192. Sindhudurg District, on the way to Amboli from Ajra, U.V. Makhija & K.R. Randive, 00.183; 10.10.2000, U.V. Makhija & B.C. Behera, 00.205.
Lecanora sp. 1 [Fig-: 213]
Thallus crustose, corticolous, dark brown to black, rough, verrucose, cracked, nonsorediate, nonisidiate; hypothallus distinct, black. Apothecia black, adnate, sessile, not constricted at the base, solitary, 0.2-0.8 (-1) mm in diam.; disc black, epruinose; exciple very thin, concolorous with the thallus, smooth to sometimes wavy; amphithecial medulla with small crystals, allophana-type; epihymenium hyaline to light brown layer at the top with small fine granules, uniform, not dissolving in KOH, pruina like, 12-18 |im thick; hymenium hyaline, 75-78 ^m tall, paraphyses simple to slightly branched; subhymenium indistinct; hypothecium dark brown, 39-79 nm thick, extending upto the exciple; asci 8-sporate, cylindroclavate, KI+ blue. Ascospores simple, hyaline, oval, 12- 14 X 3-6 [im, KI-. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, KC-, C-, P+ yellowish; UV-; atranorin and pannarin present.
Habitat: The specimens have been collected in moist deciduous forests on road side trees.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: This species seems to be close to Lecanora xylophila Hue in almost all characters but differs in having pannarin, whereas L. xylophila has atranorin, gangaleodin, an unidentified substance, and terpenoids.
183 The species is also comparable to L. phaeocardia Vain, on the basis of chemistry but differs in amphithecial medulla in being pulicaris-type whereas our specimens have amphithecial medulla allophana-type.
Specimens Examined: Kolhapur District, Amba, 16.10.1974, C.R. Kulkarni & A.V. Prabhu, 74.1326. Satara District, Mahabaleshwar, 24.9.1997, B.A. Adawadkar, 97.50.
Lecanora species 2 [Fig^ 214]
Thallus crustose, corticolous, grayish-white, pale grayish at periphery, areolate, 81-90 |am thick, rough, verrucose, cracked, nonsorediate, nonisidiate; hypothallus indistinct. Apothecia reddish-brown to black, immersed to adnate, abundant, solitary to crowded, 0.25-1 mm in diam.; disc brownish-black, flat to concave, broad, epruinose; exciple grayish to concolorous with the thallus, entire to crenulate, sometimes invading the disc; amphithecial medulla with large crystals {pulicaris type); epihymenium orangish-brown, slightly granular, not dissolving in KOH, 12-18 ^xm thick; hymenium hyaline, inspersed with hexagonal crystals, 27-39 |am thick, KI+ blue; paraphyses simple to branched, thick, globose; hypothecium hyaline, 39-45 fjm thick; asci 8-sporate, clavate, 43-45 x 12-13 |im, KI+ blue. Ascospores simple, hyaline, oval, 12-16 x 3.5-4.5 |im, KI -. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P+ yellow; UV-; atranorin, 2'-0- methylperlatolic acid and zeorin.
Habitat: Collected in both dry and moist deciduous forests.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: The present species closely resembles Lecanora cf. perplexa Brodo, from which it differs in having 2'-0- methylperlatolic acid in addition to atranorin and zeorin. This may probably prove to be a distinct species. But a large number of species (ca. 300) in this genus have been described worldwide which we have not studied, therefore for the time being we are describing it as an unnamed species. This is a commonly occurring species of Lecanora in Maharashtra.
184 Specimens Examined: Ahmednagar District, Bhandardara, 25.9.2002, G.S. Chitale & B.A. Adawadkar, 02.143, 02.146, 02.147, 02.148, 02.149, 02.152. Bombay District, Kolgoan-Saswane, 1.2.1972, P.D. Badhe, 72.3. Chandrapur District, Pandharpawani (Tadoba) 23.8.2000, K.R. Randive & V.A. Mantri, 00.62, 00.63; 24.8.2000, K.R. Randive & V.A. Mantri, 00.62, 00.63, 00.65, 00.66, 00.67, 00.68, 00.77, 00.78. Kolhapur District, Panhala, P.G. Patwardhan, 73.97; 8.11.2004, U.V. Makhija & G.S. Chitale, 04.444. Nasik District, Anjaneri, 26.9.2002, U.V. Makhija & A.V. Bhosale, 02.229, 02.231; Saptashringi Gad, 3.8.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.261; 24.9.2002, B.A. Adawadkar & A.V. Bhosale, 02.187, 02.188; Triambkeshwar, 5.8.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.308, 74.310; Trimbakeshwar, Brahmagiri, 26.9.2002, B.A. Adawadkar & G.S. Chitale, 02.214, 02.215. Pune District, Baneshwar, J.G. Vaidya, 74.1; Bhimashankar, 10.10.1970, P.G. Patwardhan & P.D. Badhe, 70.32, 70.53, 70.56; Durgawadi, near Junnar, 2.9.2003, U.V. Makhija & N. Verma, 03.317; 17.9.2004, G.S. Chitale, 04.226; Khandala, 1.8.1971, P.G. Patwardhan, 71.2, 71.26; Lonvala, Amby Valley, 5.8.2003, B.C. Behera & G.S. Chitale, 03.217, 03.228, 03.229; Walwhan Dam, 16.9.2002, G.S. Chitale & U.V. Makhija, 02.116, 02.118; Mulshi Dam, 7.10.2003, B.C. Behera & N. Verma, 03.427, 03.459, 03.466, 03.471; Purandar fort, 13.9.2002, U.V. Makhija & B.C. Behera, 02.44; Sinhagad Fort, 4.7.2003, U.V. Makhija & N. Verma 03.57; Tamihini Ghat, 7.10.2003, B.C. Behera & N. Verma, 03.416, 03.417, 03.420, 03.421, 03.423, 03.424, 03.428, 03.462, 03.465, 02.214, 74.308. Satara District, Mahabaleshwar, 7.6.1970, P.G. Patwardhan & P.D. Badhe, 70.10; 8.6.1971, P.G. Patwardhan & P.D. Badhe, 71.173; Arther seat point, 27.2.1972, P.D. Badhe, 72.8; Gureghar, 1973, P.G. Patwardhan, 73.25; Tiger's path, 8.3.1974, M.B. Nagarkar, 74.36; Lingmala, 15.7.2003, U.V. Makhija & N. Verma, 03.118; 21.1.2004, B.C. Behera & B.A. Adawadkar, 04.16. Sindhudurg District, on the way to Amboli from Ajra, 10.10.2000, U.V. Makhija & K.R. Randive, 00.183, 00.202; 7.11.2004, N. Verma, 04.376.
185 Genus: Lithothelium Mull. Arg. (Trypetheliaceae) Bot. Jahrb. Syst., 6: 386 (1885).
The lichen genus Lithothelium Mull. Arg. is characterized by: thallus crustose, endophloeodal. Photobiont a green alga {Trentepohlia). Ascocarps in pseudostromata, multi-carpic, constricted at base, with inclined to horizontal ascocarps, proper exciple globular, black, produced into canals which unite into a single ostiole or ostioles independent for each ascocarp. Paraphyses generally unbranched and free. Asci 8-spored, bitunicate. Ascospores 3-transseptate, colourless, cells cylindrical.
The lichen genus Lithothelium is a widely spread genus with about 25 species known at the world level (Aptroot, 2006). So far only 3 species have been reported from the Indian subcontinent namely, L. himalayense Upreti & Aptroot, L. insulare Makhija & Adaw. and L. obtectum (Mull. Arg.) Aptroot (Aptroot, 2006). Lithothelium obtectum (Miill. Arg.) Aptroot is the only species of Lithothelium so far known from Maharashtra (Makhija & Patwardhan, 1989).
Lithothelium obtectum (Mull. Arg.) Aptroot [Figs.: 28 & 215] Bibl. Lick, AA: 62 {\99\). = Sagedia obtecta Mtill Arg. Linnaea, 43:42(1880).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, green to greenish-brown or brown, smooth, 16.8-30 Hm thick; hypothallus seen. Ascomata black, carbonized, 3-9 radially arranged in a pseudostromata, lateral walls not fused, but 2-3 opening into one common ostiole, semi- emergent to emergent; ostioles brownish-yellow to black, conical, punctate; hymenium hyaline, inspersed with oil drops and crystals, sometimes KI+ blue; paraphyses simple; periphyses absent; asci 6-8-sporate, long, cylindrical, with sometimes cruciform apex, persistant. Ascospores hyaline, ellipsoidal, mostly uniseriate, 3-transseptate, 4-loculate, lenticular, with cylindrical cells, 9-17 x 4-6 |im. Chemistry: Thallus K-, KC-, C-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
186 Habitat: Lithothelium obtectum found in the rain forests in India and has been collected from semi-evergreen forests in Maharashtra.
Distribution: India (Andaman Islands, Angalo, Arunachal Pradesh, Karanataka and Maharashtra), Africa, Costa Rica, China, Ecuador, Galapagas Islands, Kenya, Papua New Guinea, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Venenzuela and Zaire. « Remarks: Lithothelium obtectum, a widely distributed species, was earlier recorded as L. indicum Patwardhan et al. (Patwardhan et al, 1980; Makhija &. Patwardhan, 1989) which has now been synonymised with L. obtectum by Aptroot (1991).
Specimens Examined: Nasik District, Saptashringigad, 3.8.1974, M.B. Nagarkar & A.V. Prabhu, 74.226. Pune District, Bhimashankar, 29.9.1974, P.O. Patwardhan & U.V. Makhija, 74.765, 74.490; A.V. Prabhu, 74.776; 30.9.1974, P.O. Patwardhan, 74.818. Raigad District, Kamala, 27.8.1974, P.O. Patwardhan & U.V. Makhija, 74.398, 74.399, 74.404, 74.405, 74.412, 74.414, 74.415, 74.416, 74.418, 74.420, 74.430, 74.448. Ratnagiri District, Nerur, 16.3.1975, P.O. Patwardhan & U.V. Makhija, 75.490, 75.491, 75.492; Dabhole-ghat, Ratanagiri-Kolhapur road, 5.12.1974, P.O. Patwardhan «fe U.V. Makhija, 74.2035, 74.2037, 74.2038. Sindhudurg District, Amboli, 18.10.1974, P.O. Patwardhan «fe U.V. Makhija, 74.1504.
Genus: Mycomicrothelia Keissl. (Arthopyreniaceae) Rabenh. Krypt. FL, 9,1(2): 23 (1936).
The lichen genus Mycomicrothelia Keissl. is characterized by: thallus crustose, corticolous. Photobiont a green alga (Trentepohlia). Ascomata perithecia, singular or rarely confluent, immersed, dark brown to black, dimidiate, ostioles usually depressed, involucrellum radiating, reddish-brown, exciple reddish-brown, centrum usually I-. Paraphyses branched and anastomosing. Asci 8-spored, bitunicate. Ascospores olivaceous-brown, transversely 1 (rarely 3)-septate, upper cell usually larger, with a gelatinous sheath, swelling in K.
187 The genus Mycomicrothelia known with about 30 species at world level is widely spread, mainly in tropical regions of the world (Hawksworth, 1985; Kirk et ai, 2001). Subsequently, Komposch et ai, (2002) have added two more species in this genus namely, M macrocarpa Kompsch et al., and M. xanthonica Kompsch et al.
Mycomicrothelia conothelena (Nyl.) D. Hawksw., M. nonensis (Stirt.) D. Hawksw. and M. thelena (Ach.) D. Hawksw. are the only three species of this genus so far recorded from the Indian subcontinent (Awasthi, 1991, 2000).
The present studies gives an account of 4 species of the genus Mycomicrothelia hitherto not recorded from Maharashtra. M. exigua (Miill. Arg.) D. Hawksw., M. hemisphaerica (Mull. Arg.) D. Hawksw., and M. obovata (Stirt.) D. Hawksw., have been recorded for the first time from India.
Key to the species oi Mycomicrothelia from Maharashtra
1 a. Ascospores brown, 1 -transseptate 2 lb. Ascospores brown more than 1-transseptate 3
2a. Thallus yellow-gray; ascomata black, 0.5 mm in diam.; ascospores brown, ellipsoidal, one septate, septa distinct with unequal cells, coarsely verruculose, 18-30 x 8-12 |im, with a thin gelatinous sheath, up to 1.5 |xm thick M. thelena
2b. Thallus stramineous, brown, thin, flaking, cracked; ascomata 0.3-0.8 mm in diam.; ascospores brown, 1-transsseptate, wedge shaped, ornamented, 13-17 x 4.2 ^m, with an indistinct gelatinous sheath M. exigua
3a. Thallus whitish; ascomata black, 0.2-0.5 mm in diam.; ascospores browoi, fusiform 3-4(-5)-transseptate, ends acute, 21-33 x 6-9 ^m, with a gelatinous sheath ca. 1 jam thick M. hemisphaerica
3b. Thallus stramineous; ascomata black, up to 0.5-0.8 mm in diam.; ascospores brown, 1-3 transseptate, constricted at the middle septum with rounded ends, both ends tapering acute, coarsely verruculose, 24-28 x 12-16 |am, with a gelatinous sheath ca. 1 Hm thick M. obovata
Mycomicrothelia exigua (Mull. Arg.) D. Hawksw. [Figs.: 27 & 216] Bull. Br. Mus. Nat. Hist. Bot., 14(2): 84 (1985).
188 = Microthelia exigua Miill. Arg. Bot.Jb., 6: 4\6{\S85).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, stramineous, brown, smooth, thin, flaking, endophloeodal, cracked, nonsorediate, nonisidiate; hypothallus distinctly black. Ascomata black, solitary, flat to conical, 0.3-0.8 mm in diam., dimidiate; basal fringe 300-330 |am in length; ostioles central, rarely oblique, pale brownish to gray, circular; exciple blackish-brown, not carbonized, absent at base; hymenium hyaline, 126-168 ^im tall, KI-; involucrellum 66-105 \im thick; paraphyses simple to branched, anastomosing; asci 8-sporate, bitunicate, cylindrical, uniseriate, 45-50 x 9-10 |im. Ascospores brown, 1- transseptate, thin walled, wedge shaped, ornamented, 13-17 x 4.2 ^im, KI-, with an indistinct gelatinous sheath. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, KC-, C-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: The specimens have been collected in semi-evergreen forest.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra), Australia, Australasia, Cuba, and Papua New Guinea.
Remarks: The ascospores vary slightly in having an indistinct gelatinous sheath, whereas the ascospores in Mycomicrothelia exigua possess 1.5 ^im thick gelatinous sheath but all other characters resemble M. exigua and hence the specimens studied have been placed in M. exigua.
Specimens Examined: Ratnagiri District, Nivali, Chiplun to Hathkhamba Rd, 5.12.1974, P.O. Patwardhan & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.2149, 74.2151, 74.2152, 74.2153, 74.2320. Satara District, Wilson Point, Mahabaleshwar, 31.1.2006, G.S. Chitale, 06.85, 06.86, 06.87, 06.88.
Mycomicrothelia hemisphaerica (Mull. Arg.) D. Hawksw. [Figs.: 26 & 217) Bull. Br. Mus. Nat. Hist Bot., 14(2): 86 (1985). = Microthelia hemisphaerica MUll. Arg. Bo/. JZ)., 6: 417 (1885).
189 Thallus crustose, corticolous, whitish, smooth to cracked, nonsorediate. nonisidiate, 3-9 latn thick, algal cells sparse, 3-6 |am thick, ecorticate; hypothallus not very distinct. Ascomata black, conical, dimidiate, numerous, 0.2-0.5 mm (51-57|am) in diam., covered by thalline margin upto the ostiole; basal fringe 180-210 |am in length; ostioles central, followed by a straight neck into a flask shaped hymenium; hymenium hyaline, 96-126 ^im tall, KI-; involucrellum black, 12-15 ^m thick; paraphyses branched, anastomosing; asci 8-sporate, cylindrical, bitunicate, 78-99 x 22-36 \xm. Ascospores dark brown, fusiform, acute, round, 1 -septate but additional 2-3 pseudosepta seen, verruculose, 21-33 X 6-9 |j.m, KI-, with a thin gelatinous sheath, ca. 1 |am thick. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow to orange red, KC+ light yellow, C-, P+ yellow; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: Mycomicrothelia hemisphaerica has been collected in semi-evergreen forest.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra), Canada, Costa Rica, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Guyana, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and United States.
Remarks: According to Hawksworth (1985) Mycomicrothelia hemisphaerica is closely allied to M. thelena, which it recalls not only in the whitish thallus but further in the thin pseudoparaphyses, the large ascospores, and tendency of the ascospores to develop additional septa. The two species are, however, clearly separable on the basis of ascospore shape and width. The species has been recorded for the first time from India.
Specimens Examined: Satara District, Mahabaleshwar, 10.10.1970, P.G. Patwardhan & P.D. Badhe, 70.66; Panchgani, 21.6.1973, P.G. Patwardhan & M.B. Nagarkar, 73.51.
Mycomicrothelia obovata (Stirt.) D. Hawksw. [Fig.: 218] Bull. Br. Mus. Nat. Hist Bot, 14(2): 106 (1985). = Verrucaria obovata Stirt. Trans. Proc. R. Soc. Victoria, 17: 74 (1881).
190 Thallus crustose, corticolous, stramineous, smooth, rarely cracked, thin, endophloeodal, nonsorediate, nonisidiate; hypothallus black. Ascomata black, up to 0.5- 0.8 mm (120-165 |im) in diam., black, conical, flattened at the base, immersed to emergent, solitary, two in groups, open individually by an ostiole at the top covered by thin thalline margin, up to the ostiole; not dimidiate; basal fringe 300-420 [im in length; hymenium hyaline, 60-75 |im tall, KI-; involucrellum carbonized tissue, except at the base, 36-45 |j.m thick; paraphyses branched and anastomosing; asci 8-sporate, bitunicate, apex pointed. Ascospores brown, 1-3-transseptate, distinctly constricted at the middle septum, with round ends, verruculose 24-28 x 12-16 f^m, KI-, with gelatinous sheath, ca. 1 [im thick. Chemistry: Thallus K-, KC -, C-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: The specimen has been collected on the bark of trees on road side in shade in semi-evergreen forest.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra), Australia, Borneo, Papua New Guinea, W. Highlands and the Philippines.
Remarks: Mycomicrothelia obovata is somewhat similar to M hemisphaerica in having larger ascospores and producing additional septa but differs from that in having much broader ascospores. M. hemisphaerica has narrow ascospores (6-9 fj,m). The species is being recorded for the first time from India.
Specimen Examined: Sindhudurg District, Amboli, 18.10.1974, A.V. Prabhu & C.R. Kulkami, 74.1524.
Mycomicrothelia thelena (Ach.) D. Hawksw. [Fig" 219] Bull. Br. Mus. Nat. Hist. (Bot.), 14(2): 112 (1985). = Verrucaria thelena Ach. Syn. Lich.: 92 {XUA).
191 Thallus crustose, corticolous, yellowish-gray, rough, cracked, endophloeodal, nonsorediate, nonisidiate; hypothallus not seen. Ascomata black, immersed, minute, 0.5 mm, (125-135 i^m) in diam., mostly solitary, covered by a very thin layer of thallus, totally carbonized, dimidiate, basal fringe 240-300 ^m thick; ostiole terminally situated, followed by a neck into globose hymenium; hymenium hyaline, 232-273 ^m tall, KI-; involucrellum brownish-black, 90-105 |im thick; paraphyses branched, anastomosing; asci 8-sporate, bitunicate, 75-96 x 24-35 ^m. Ascospores brown, ellipsoidal, 1-transverse septa distinct, with 2 unequal, cells, thick walled, verruculose, 2 pseudosepta, 18-30 x 8- 12 |am, KI-, with a thin gelatinous sheath, ca. 1.5 [im thick. Chemistry: Thallus K+ light yellow, C-, KC-, P-; UV-: no lichen substances present.
Habitat: The species has been collected on the bark of Eugenia at higher elevation in semi-evergreen forests.
Distribution: India (Kerala, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu), Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Uruguay and unidentified neotropical countries.
Remarks: Mycomicrothelia thelena is comparable to M. obovata in most of the characters but mainly differs in having ascospores constantly 1-septate whereas M obovata has 3-septate ascospores. M thelena has been recorded for the first time from Maharashtra.
Specimens Examined: Satara District, Mahabaleshwar, Tiger Path, 8.3.1974, M.B. Nagarkar, 74.43, 74.44.
Genus : Myriotrema Fee (Thelotremataceae) Essai Cryptog. Ecorc. Officin., 49: 103 (1824).
The lichen genus Myriotrema Fee is characterized by: thallus crustose, corticiform layer when present usually dense or poorly developed. Photobiont a green alga (Trentepohlia). Apothecia either immersed in medulla or in periderm, lacking thalline rim, or raised with a distinct thalline rim or minute pore, exciple colourless or reddish-brown, periphysoids absent. Paraphyses simple or branched, free or conglutinate. Asci 1-8 spored, unitunicate.
192 Ascospores colourless or brown, transversely septate or muriform, 1+ deep blue or rarely I-. The lichen genus Myriotrema is widely spread mainly in the tropics with about 150 species known at the world level (Kirk et al, 2001). Eleven species of this genus have been described from SE Asia (Homchantara & Coppins, 2002). As many as 45 species have so far been recorded from the Indian subcontinent (Awasthi, 1991, 2000).
Only one species Myriotrema terebratulum (Nyl.) Hale was earlier recorded from Maharashtra under the name Ocellularia terebratula (Nyl.) Mull. Arg. (Patwardhan & Kulkami, 1977a; Nagarkar et al, 1988). In the present studies 7 species oi Myriotrema have been discovered from the state of Maharashtra. Six species have been recorded new to science.
Key to the species oi Myriotrema from Maharashtra
1 a. Ascospores transversely septate 2 1 b. Ascospores muriform 3 2a. Ascospores hyaline Thallus citrine green; apothecia immersed, 0.2-0.4 mm diam., lepadinoid; disc epruinose; proper exciple thin, brown; ascospores 2-3-transseptate, 9-15 x 4-7 |j.m, KI+ blue; psoromic and conpsoromic acids present M. terebratulum
2b. Ascospores brown Thallus grayish-green to white; apothecia semi-emergent, 0.5-0.8 mm in diam.; disc pruinose; proper exciple dark reddish-brown; ascospores 15-18-transseptate, 39-54 x 6-9 |im, KI-; no lichen substances present M. microspermum
3a. Asci 1 -2-sporate 4
3b. Asci 8-sporate "
4a. Proper exciple fused Thallus slate gray; apothecia semi-emergent, 0.5-0.8 mm in diam.; pores wide; disc white, pruinose; proper exciple brownish, lacerate; ascospores hyaline, muriform, 48- 115 x'21-28 ^m, KI-; an unidentified substances present M. sahyadriense
4b. Proper exciple free ^
193 5a. Thallus greenish-gray; cortex thin; apothecia immersed, 0.2-0.5 mm in diam., pore small; disc blackish; proper exciple free, brown to dark brown; ascospores hyaline, muriform, 150-165 x 30-33 |im, KI-; no lichen substances present M. subporinaceum
5b. Thallus pale grayish to whitish to sometimes greenish, maculate; cortex layer dense, thin; apothecia immersed, 0.2-1 mm in diam., pore moderately wide; disc white; proper exciple free, lacerate; ascospores hyaline, muriform, 72-149 x 18-27 |am, KI-; no lichen substances present M. maculiforme
6a. Thallus grayish; apothecia immersed, 0.5-1 mm in diam.; pore moderately wide; disc not seen; proper exciple reddish-brown; ascospores hyaline, muriform, 60-120 x 27- 30 ^m, KI-; no lichen substances present M. mahabaleshwarense
6b. Thallus gray; apothecia immersed, 0.1-0.5 mm in diam.; pore wide; disc brownish; proper exciple brownish-black; ascospores hyaline, muriform, 84-189 x 21-38 ^im, KI-; no lichen substances present M. subgrandisporum
Myriotrema maculiforme sp. nov. [Fig.: 220]
Type: India, Maharashtra, Pune District, Bhimashankar, 29.9.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.780 (Holotype-AMH).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, pale grayish, whitish or greenish, smooth to cracked, maculate, cortex layer dense, thin, poorly developed, nonsorediate, nonisidiate; hypothallus distinctly black. Apothecia concolorous with the thallus, immersed, solitary, ecolumellate, 0.2-1 mm in diam., pore moderately wide; disc white; thalline margin grayish or concolorous with the thallus; proper exciple free, cracked, yellowish-brown to dark brown, lacerate; hymenium hyaline, not inspersed with the crystals, 125-150, ^m tall, KI-; paraphyses simple to branched; asci 1-sporate. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, 72-149 X 18-27 ^m,KI-. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: The specimens have been collected in moist deciduous forests.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
194 Remarks: The new species Myriotrema maculiforme is characterized by the distinctly maculate thallus, 1-sporate asci, yellowish-brown to dark brown, lacerate exciple, and larger ascospores of 72-149 x 18-27 |am.
The present species is comparable to Myriotrema porinaceum (Miill. Arg.) Hale in having corticate thallus, semi-emergent, ecolumellate apothecia of 0.2-1 mm in diam., asci 1-sporate and larger ascospores. However, it differs from M. porinaceum in lacking the chemical substances. M. porinaceum has norstictic acid in its thallus.
Myriotrema maculiforme is comparable to M. subporinaceum in most of the characters but differs from the new species M subporinaceum in having a maculate thallus and white disc. M. maculiforme has a blackish disc.
Specimens Examined: Kolhapur District, on the way to Phonda from Radhanagari, 12.10.2000, U.V. Makhija ife V.A. Mantri, 00.314.
Myriotrema mahabaleshwarense sp. nov. [Fig*: 221]
Type: India, Maharashtra, Satara District, Mahabaleshwar, Lingmala, 21.1.2004, G. S. Chitale, 04.3 (Holotype-AMH).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, grayish, warty, areolate, smooth, finely cracked, 150-180 |im thick, inspersed with large crystals, cortex indistinct or poorly developed, nonsorediate, nonisidiate; hypothallus black. Apothecia concolorous with the thallus, immersed to semi-emergent, some areas show lepadinoid type, ecolumellate, 0.5-1 mm in diam.; pore moderately wide; disc not visible; thalline rim concolorous with the thallus, whitish ring like; proper exciple free, reddish-brown, not lacerate; hymenium hyaline, inspersed with crystals, 180-240 |im tall, KI+ blue; asci 8-sporate. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, 60-120 x 27-30 ^m, K1-. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: The specimen has been collected in semi-evergreen forest at higher elevation 1360 m.
195 Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: The new species Myriotrema mahabaleshwarense is somewhat similar to M. eminens (Hale) Hale, a species from Sri Lanka, in having apothecia of 0.4-0.5 mm in diam., reddish-brown exciple and hyaline, muriform ascospores of 120-150 x 20-30 ^im. However, M. eminens has sometimes coarsely isidiate, corticated thallus, and has asci-2-4 sporate, ascospores distinctly 1+ blue.
Myriotrema mahabaleshwarense is also somewhat close to M. whalleyanum Homchantara & Coppins, in having ecolumellate apothecia of 0.8-0.9 mm in diam., ascospores of 74-114 x 17-31.5 ^m, and no lichen substances but M. whalleyanum has a dense cortex, apothecia brown rimmed and orange area surrounding the pore.
Myriotrema microspermum sp. nov. [Fig.: 222]
Type: India, Maharashtra, Pune District, Lonavala, 30.9.2004, B.C. Behera, 04.213 (Holotype-AMH).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, grayish-green to white, smooth, 50-75 ^m thick, cortex 3-6 \xm thick, nonsorediate, nonisidiate; hypothallus distinctly black. Apothecia concolorous with the thallus, abundant, solitary, semi-emergent, ecolumellate, 0.5-0.8 mm in diam.; pore wide open; disc mostly whitish, pruinose, sometimes blackish; thalline margin uniform, but irmer side dissected; proper exciple dark reddish-brown, noncarbonized; hymenium hyaline, 90-180 i^m tall, KI-; paraphyses simple to branched; asci 8-sporate. Ascospores brown, 15-18-transseptate, 39-54 x 6-9 |am, KI-. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: The specimens have been collected in moist deciduous forest.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: The new species Myriotrema microspermum is somewhat similar to M mastarion Hale in having grayish-green, corticate thallus, ecolumellate apothecia and transversely septate, brown ascospores but it differs in having a pruinose disc, 15-18
196 transseptate, larger ascospores of 39-54 x 6-9 ^m, KI+ blue and does not produce lichen substances. M. mastarion has very small, 3-transseptate, ascospores of 15-21 x 5-9 ^m, KI- and has psoromic and norpsoromic acid.
Myriotrema microspermum is also similar to M rongklaense Homchantara & Coppins, a species without lichen substances in having a corticate thallus and ascospores size but M rongklaense has a colourless, simple columella, with a white pruinose tip visible or lacking in pores and ascospores up to 31.5 ]xm in length and KI+ blue.
Specimens Examined: Sindhudurg District, Amboli, 7.10.2004, U.V. Makhija, 04.396.
Myriotrema sahyadriense sp. nov. [Figs.: as in 21 & 223]
Type: India, Maharashtra, Pune District, Amby Valley-Lonavala, 30.9.2004, B.C. Behera, 04.206 (Holotype-AMH).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, slate gray, smooth, cracked, cortex indistinct or poorly developed, nonsorediate, nonisidiate; hypothallus not seen. Apothecia concolorous with the thallus, mostly solitary, semi-emergent, not constricted at the base, ecolumellate, 0.5-0.8 mm in diam.; pore wide; disc white pruinose; thalline exciple dissected; proper exciple brownish, fused; hymenium hyaline, 144-180 ^m tall, KI-; paraphyses simple to branched; asci 1-sporate. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, 70-115 x 21-28 ^im,KI-. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; an imidentified substance indicated by gray spot at Rf 5.5 present in TDA and TEF.
Habitat: The species has been collected in moist deciduous forest and also in semi- evergreen forest.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: The new species Myriotrema sahyadriense is somewhat similar to Myriotrema anamalaiense (Patw. & C.R. Kulkami) Hale, in having grayish thallus and hyaline, muriform, ascospores but differs from M. anamalaiense in having a fused exciple, much
197 larger ascospores, and lacking the lichen substances. M anamalaiense has free exciple, and ascospores of 70-75 x 2-4 |xm.
Specimens Examined: Kolhapur District, Panhala, 13.10.2000, U.V. Makhija & K.R. Randive, 00.451; on the way to Kumbhi-Gaganbawda, 12.10.2000, U.V. Makhija & V.A. Mantri, 00.332; B.A. Adawadkar, & K.R. Randive, 00.339; on the way to Phonda from Radhanagari, 12.10.2000, U.V. Makhija & K.R. Randive, 00.313. Pune District, Lonavala, 29.8.2000, B.C. Behera & B.A. Adawadkar, 00.107; Khandala, 29.8.2000, U.V. Makhija, 00.108. Sindhudurg District, AmboH, Shirgaonkar Point, 10.10.2000, U.V. Makhija & V.A. Mantri, 00.233; U.V. Makhija 8c B.A. Adawadkar, 00.232; on the way to Kasal from Sawantwadi, 11.10.2000, U.V. Makhija «& V.A. Mantri, 00.260.
Myriotrema subgrandisporum sp. nov. [Fig" 224]
Type: India, Maharashtra, Kolhapur District, Phonda from Radhanagari, 12.10.2000, U.V. Makhija &. K.R. Randive, 00.311 (Holotype-AMH).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, gray, rough, cracked; 15-25 |am thick, corticiform layer not very distinct or poorly developed, nonsorediate, nonisidiate; hypothallus black. Apothecia concolorous with the thallus, abundant, solitary, immersed, ecolumellate, 0.1- 0.5 mm in diam.; pore wide, 0.1-0.5 mm wide; disc brownish; thalline margin, not lacerate; proper exciple brownish-black; hymenium hyaline, 216-360 i^m tall, KI-; paraphyses simple; asci 8-sporate. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, 84-189 x 21-38 |im, KI-. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: The specimens have been collected on bark of trees in evergreen forest and is found to be associated with Hemithecium nakanishianum (Patw. & C.R. Kulkami) Makhija & Dube.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
198 Remarks: M. porinaceum is the only species with hyaline, muriform ascospores in the range of 60-180 |im long. But M. porinaceum has 1-sporate asci and norstictic acid.
Myriotrema subgrandisporum can be compared to M grandisporum Homchantara & Coppins in having a poorly developed cortex, ecolumellate apothecia of same size and large ascospores but differs in presence of norstictic acid and very large ascospores in M. grandisporum of 169- 271 x 17-28.5 ^m, 1+ blue.
Specimens Examined: Sindhudurg District, Amboli, Shirgaonkar Point, 10.10.2000, U.V. Makhija & V.A. Mantri, 00.231.
Myriotrema subporinaceum sp. nov. [Fig.: 225]
Type: India, Maharashtra, Sindhudurg District, Ajra to Amboli Road, 6.10.2004, B.C. Behera & N. Verma, 04.401 (Holotype-AMH).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, greenish-gray, smooth to slightly rough, cracked, 10-15 i^m thick, cortex thin, or poorly developed, nonsorediate, nonisidiate; hypothallus black. Apothecia concolorous with the thallus, abundant, solitary, immersed, round to sometimes irregular, ecolumellate, 0.2-0.5 mm in diam.; pore small, 0.2-0.3 mm wide; disc blackish, depressed; thalline margin sometimes cracked, concolorous with the thallus; proper exciple free, brown to dark brown, not lacerate; hymenium hyaline to light brown, 160-165 |im tall; asci 1-2-sporate. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, 150-165 x 30- 36 ^m, KI-. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: The specimens have been collected in semi-evergreen forest on the road sides where they are exposed to heavy rains. It is found associated with Hemithecium nakanishianum (Patw. & C.R. Kulkami) Makhija & Dube and the new species Phlyctis communis.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
199 Remarks: Myriotrema subporinaceum a new species, is similar to Myriotrema porinaceum (Miill. Arg.) Hale, a species known from Sri Lanka, in respect of the characters of the thallus, and apothecia, l-sporate asci, and hyaline, muriform, KI+ blue ascospores of 60-180 x 20-30 |am but M poriaceum possesses norstictic acid in its thallus.
Specimens Examined: Pune District, Lonavala, 30.9.2004, G.S. Chitale, 04.230. Sindhudurg District, towards Amboli from Ajra, U.V. Makhija & V.A. Mantri, 10.10.2000, 00.199; Ajra to Amboli Road, 6.10.2004, U.V. Makhija, 04.406; B.C. Behera & N. Verma, 04.402; AmboH, Shirgoankar Point, 7.11.2004, G.S. Chitale 8c U.V. Makhija, 04.369.
Myriotrema terebratulum (Nyl.) Hale [Figs.:226] Mycotaxon, 11(1): 135 (1980). = Thelotrema terebratulum Nyl. Ann. Sci. Nat. Bot., ser. 5, 7: 315 (1867).
Thallus citrine green, smooth, up to 30 fim thick, cortex indistinct or poorly developed, nonsorediate, nonisidiate; hypothallus distinct. Apothecia numerous, immersed, ecolumellate, lepadinoid, 0.2-0.4 mm in diam., pore minute, flush with the thallus, 50-100 |am across; thalline exciple free from proper exciple at least near tip; proper exciple thin, brown, non-carbonized; asci 8-sporate, uniseriate; ascospores hyaline, 2-3-transseptate, 9-15 x 4-7 i^m, 1+ blue. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P+ yellow; UV-; psoromic and conpsoromic acids present.
Habitat: Myriotrema terebratulum was been collected on the trees in semi-evergreen forest.
Distribution: India (Kamataka, Kerala and Maharashtra, Meghalaya), Brazil, Canada, Columbia, Central and South America, Dominica, New Caledonia, Sabah, Solomon Island, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and West Indies.
200 Remarks: Myriotrema terebratulum was earlier reported as Ocellulaha terebratula (Nyl.) Miill. Arg. (Patwardhan & Kulkami, 1977a).
Specimens Examined: Kolhapur District, Amba, near Govt. Rest House, 5.12.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.2191, 74.2201, 74.2213, 74.2219. Ratnagiri District, Dabhole Ghat, 5.12.1974, P.G. Patwardhan & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.2024, 74.2025, 74.2026, 74.2027, 74.2076, 74.2119.
Genus: Ocellularia G. Mey. (Thelotremataceae) Nebemtund. Beschaft. Pflanzenk., 1: 327 (1825).
The lichen genus Ocellularia G. Mey. is characterized by. thallus crustose, epi or endophloeodal. Cortex dense when present, or poorly developed, often splitting and exfoliating, medulla well developed. Photobiont a green alga (Trentepohlia). Apothecia emergent or immersed, thalline margin distinct, suberect to incurved, pore distinct, exciple usually carbonized, fused, periphysoids absent. Columella often present, carbonized, simple to sometimes reticulate. Asci 1-8-spored, unitunicate. Ascospores colourless or brown, transseptate or muriform, 1+ blue or violet or I-.
The lichen genus Ocellularia is widely spread in the tropical regions of the world, with about 200 species known at the world level (Kirk et al, 2001). Recently, fifteen species have been discovered by Homachantra 8c Coppins (2002) from SE Asia (Thailand & Malaysia).
As many as 69 species have so far been recorded ft'om the Indian subcontinent (Awasthi, 1991, 2000). Five species namely Ocellularia allosporoides (Nyl.) Patw. &. C.R. Kulkami, O. cavata (Ach.) Mull. Arg. O. terebrata (Ach.) Mull. Arg., O. terebratula (Nyl.) Mull. Arg. and O. cf subtilis (Tuck.) Riddle were earlier reported from Maharashtra. (Schubert & Klement, 1966; Patwardhan & Kulkami, 1977a and Nagarkar e/fl/.,1988).
201 In the present studies, 5 species have been recognized from Maharashtra, of which Ocellularia masonhalei (Patw. & C.R. Kulkarni) has been proposed as a new combination and O. keralensis Patw. & C.R. Kulkarni ex. Hale has been recorded for the first time from Maharashtra.
Key to the species of Ocellularia from Maharashtra
1 a. Ascospores muriform 2 1 b. Ascspores transversely septate 3 2a. Thallus dark glaucous green; apothecia emergent, 0.8-1 mm in diam., columella simple, thin, weakly developed; exciple laterally carbonized; asci 1-sporate; ascospores hyaline, muriform, 140-250 x 24-50 fim, I+; psoromic acid present O. masonhalei
2b. Thallus whitish-gray; apothecia immersed to semi-emergent, 0.5-0.8 mm in diam.; disc dark gray, epruinose; exciple brownish, carbonized only at the tips, free to fused; ecolumellate; ascospores hyaline, muriform, 70-105 x 28-53 ]xm, I-; no Uchen substances present O. microkeralensis
3 a. Lichen substances absent Thallus greenish-yellow to whitish; apothecia wide, broad, semi-emergent to emergent, 0.5-1 mm in diam.; disc white; exciple laterally carbonized; columella simple; ascospores light brown, 10-21-transseptate, 80-180 x 10-20 \im, 1- O. allosporoides
3b. Lichen substances present 4
4a. Thallus greenish to whitish, mineral gray; apothecia emergent, 0.7-0.9 mm in diam.; exciple apically carbonized; columella distinct, about 0.3 mm wide; ascospores hyaline, 6-17-transseptate, 24-70 x 6-12 ^m; P+ red, "A, B series" unknowns O. cavata
4b. Thallus glaucous green; apothecia immersed, 0.6-1 mm in diam.; columella pale to dark brown, cylindrical, carbonized at the tip; ascospores hyaline, 4-7-transseptate. 18-23 X 6-9 |am, I+; psoromic acid present O. terebrata
Ocellularia allosporoides (Nyl.) Patw. «& C.R. Kulkarni [Figs.: 22 & 227] Kavaka,5:S{\911). = Thelotrema allosporoides Nyl. Bull. Soc. Linn. Normand, ser. 2, 7: 167 (1873).
202 Thallus crustose, corticolous, greenish-yellow to whitish, not cracked, rough, nonsorediate, nonisidiate; hypothallus indistinct, but sometimes black. Apothecia concolorous with the thallus, wide, broad, solitary, rarely grouped, semi-emergent to emergent, 0.5-1 mm in diam.; pore wide, circular, depressed; pores distinct, 0.2-0.6 mm across; disc white; thalline margin blackish to sometimes white; exciple laterally carbonized; columella simple, carbonized, prominent protruding into the pore, with a pruinose tip; hymenium hyaline 150-200 |am tall KI-; asci 8-sporate. Ascospores light brown, 9-21-transseptate, 80-180 x 10-20 \im, I-. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: Ocellularia allosporoides has been collected on the road side trees at higher elevation.
Distribution: India (Andaman Islands, Kamataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Meghalaya), and New Zealand.
Remarks: Ocellularia allosporoides, earlier reported from Maharashtra by Patwardhan & Kulkami (1977a), is one of the most common species in the family Thelotremataceae in the primary forests in India. O. groenhartii Hale is comparable in most of the characters with this species, but has 'Chonestoma' and 'Olivacea' unknown substances.
Specimens Examined: Sindhudurg District, Amboli, 8.12.1974, A.V. Prabhu &. M.B. Nagarkar, 74.2370, 74.2372, 74.2378, 74.2394, 74.2395, 74.2397, 74.2398.
Ocellularia cavata (Ach.) Miill. Arg. F/ora,65:499(1882). = Thelotrema cavatum Ach. Kgl. Vetensk. Akad. Nya. Handl, 33: 92 (1812).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, greenish to whitish, mineral gray, more or less verruculose, nonsorediate, nonisidiate. Apothecia emergent, 0.7-0.9 mm in diam.; pore open, round to irregular, 0.2-0.4 mm wide; exciple apically carbonized; hymenium
203 hyaline, 200-210 \im tall, KI+ blue; columella distinct, about 0.3 mm wide; asci 8- sporate. Ascospores hyaline, 6-17-transseptate, 24-70 x 6-12 |im, 1+ blue. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P+ red; UV-; "A, B series" unknown spots between fumarprotocetraric and protocetraric acid.
Habitat: The species is known to be collected from the moist deciduous forest.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra) and Panama.
Remarks: Ocellularia cavata was earlier reported from Khandala, Maharashtra State, by Schubert & Klement (1966). However, I have not come across any specimen comparable to this species in our surveys. Also, the specimen from Khandala was not traceable and available for its study. (The description is taken from Hale, 1978a).
Ocellularia microkeralensis sp. nov. [Fig-: 228]
Type: India, Kolhapur District, on the way to Phonda from Radhanagari, 12.10.2000, U.V. Makhija & K.R. Randive, 00.315 (Holotype-AMH).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, whitish-gray, epiphloeodal, finely cracked, smooth, nonsorediate, nonisidiate; hypothallus absent. Apothecia whitish-gray, solitary, round, externally chroodiscoid, immersed to semi-emergent, sessile, ecolumellate, 0.5-0.8 mm in diam.; disc dark gray epruinose; thalline exciple cracked, concolorous with the thallus; proper exciple brownish, carbonized at tips, free to fused; hymenium hyaline, 126-378 l^m tall, KI-; ecolumellate; paraphyses dichotomously branched; asci 1-sporate. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, ellipsoidal, 5-6-transseptate with 3-5-vertical septa, 70- 105 X 28-53 urn, I-. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: The species has been collected from the places getting heavy rains during monsoon.
Distribution: India (Kerala and Maharashtra) and Sri Lanka.
204 Remarks: The present new species resembles closely to Ocellularia keralensis Patw. & C.R. Kulkami ex. Hale except the size of ascospore. Ascospores are almost double in size (100-210 X 25-45 ^m) in that species.
Specimens Examined: Kolhapur District, on the way to Phonda from Radhanagari, 12.10.2000, U.V. Makhija & K.R. Randive, 00.310. Pune District, Amby valley 26 km ahead of Lonavala, 5.8.2003, G.S. Chitale & N. Verma, 03.238. Raigad District, Kamala, 28.8.1974, M.B. Nagarkar & A.V. Prabhu, 74.572. Sindhudurg District, Amboli, Shirgaonkar Point, 7.11.2004, G.S. Chitale & U.V. Makhija, 04.371.
Ocellularia masonhalei (Patw. & C.R. Kulkarni) comb. nov. [Figs.: 23 & 229] = Thelotrema masonhalei Patw. & C.R. Kulkami Norw. J. Bot., 24: 128(1977).
Type: India, Maharashtra, Sindhudurg District, Amboli, Near Sunset Point, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.2262 (Holotype-AMH).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, dark greenish glaucous, granular to warty, continuous, shiny, thick, epiphloeodal, nonsorediate, nonisidiate; hypothallus not seen. Apothecia solitary, emergent, conical, inconspicuous, columellate, 0.8-1 mm in diam.; pore flush with the thallus, with white to pale annulate margin, moderately open, 0.3-0.5 mm across; proper exciple carbonized laterally upto the base; hymenium hyaline, 200- 273 |xm tall, KI+ blue; columella simple, thin, weakly developed, carbonized; asci 1- sporate. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, 140-250 x 24-50 |a,m, 1+ blue. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P+ yellow; UV-; psoromic acid present.
Habitat: Ocellularia masonhalei has been collected in semi-evergreen forest.
Distribution: India (Karnataka, Kerala and Maharashtra) and Sri Lanka.
Remarks: Thelotrema masonhalei Patw. & C.R. Kulkarni was placed under the genus Myriotrema (Awasthi, 1991). The re-examination of the holotype at AMH revealed the
205 presence of carbonized exciple and columella. Therefore, according to the present concept, this species has now been placed under the genus Ocellularia.
Specimens Examined: Sindhudurg District, AmboU, 7.12.1974, A.V. Prabhu & P.G. Patwardhan, 74.2261.
Ocellularia terebrata (Ach.) Mull. Arg. [Fig.: 230] F/ora,70:398(1887). = Thelotrema terebratum Ach. Kgl. Vetensk. Akad. Nya Handl, 33: 88 (1812).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, greenish glaucous, smooth, thick, nonsorediate, nonisidiate; hypothallus not seen. Apothecia numerous, crowded, columellate, 0.6-1 mm in diam., non-lepadinioid, immersed, pore minute, annulate margin around the pore pale white to yellowish; exciple carbonized; hymenium hyaline 150-195 |jm tall, KI+ blue; columella pale to dark brown, cylindrical, carbonized at the tip; asci 8-sporate, uniseriate. Ascospores hyaline, oblong, ellipsoidal, 4-7-transseptate, 18-23 x 6-9 \im, 1+ blue. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P+ yellow; UV-; psoromic acid present.
Habitat: Ocellularia terebrata has been collected in moist deciduous forest.
Distribution: India (Andaman Islands, Kamataka, Maharashtra and Meghalaya), Brazil, New Caledonia and South America.
Remarks: Ocellualria terebrata is easily distinguished by non-lepadinioid, columellate apothecia and the presence of psoromic acid.
Specimen Examined: Kolhapur District, Vishalgad, Amba-Gajapur Road, 6.12.1974, P.G. Patwardhan & A.V. Prabhu, 74.2231.
206 Genus: Pertusaria DC. in Lam. & DC. (Pertusariaceae) F/.Fra«c., 3, 2: 319 (1805).
The lichen genus Pertusaria DC. is characterized by: thallus crustose, usually corticolous, rarely saxicolous or on plant remains, smooth, granular or verrucose, rarely shortly fruticulose, fissured or areolate, corticated. Photobiont a green alga {Trebouxia). Apothecia generally elevated and innate in fertile verrucae, single or several in each verruca, disc wide, lecanorine or small, punctiform and opening by ostiole and thus perithecioid, exciple weakly developed. Paraphyses branched and variously reticulately anastomosed, not capitate. Asci 1-8-spored, bitunicate, thick walled. Ascospores colourless, generally large, oval, ellipsoid, spore wall thick, single, double or triple layered, often costulate and rarely laminate. Pycnidia immersed, pycnoconidia cylindrical, filiform or acicular.
The lichen genus Pertusaria is widely spread with about 310 species at the world level (Kirk et al, 2001). Recently, two species from the Iberian and the Balearic Islands (Montserrat «& Llimona, (2003), 4 species from Thailand (Sureepom J. et al, (2003) one from Argentina (Messuti M. et al, 2006) and two brown species from North America (Imke Schimilt et al, 2006) have been discovered. 55 species oi Pertusaria have so far been recorded from the Indian subcontinent (Awasthi, 1991, 2000).
Four species namely Pertusaria leioplaca (Ach.) D.C., P. leioterella Erichsen, [= Pertusaria pertusa (L.) Tuck.], P. pertusa (L.) Tuck, and P. quassiae (Fee) Nyl. were earlier reported from Maharashtra (Schubert &. Klement, 1966; Patwardhan &. Badhe, 1973 a & b, and Awasthi, 1991, 2000). In the present studies, the occurrence of 9 species of Pertusaria has been recorded from Maharashtra of which six species are new to this area.
Key to the species of Pertusaria from Maharashtra
la. Asci 8-sporate Fertile verrucae 0.2-1 (-1.2) mm in diam., slightly constricted at the base; ostioles brownish, 1-6 per verrucae; ascospores 100-120 x 39-40 \im, 2-3 walled, of 3-9 fim
207 thickness, outer and inner walls smooth; stictic (trace) and constictic acids present P. cinchonae lb. Asci less than 8-sporate 2
2a. Ascospores exceeding 130 ^m in length 3
2b. Ascospores not exceeding 130 i^m in length 6
3 a. Norstictic acid present Fertile verrucae blackish, 0.8-1.2 mm in diam., verruculose semi-emergent; ostioles 1-8 per verrucae; asci 2-sporate; ascospores (60-) 81-138 x 21-33 vim, 2 walled, with 3-6 \ivci thickness, outer wall smooth and inner wall wrinkled; divaricatic, norstictic acid and an unidentified substance present Pertusaria sp. 1
3b. Norstictic acid absent 4
4a. Stictic acid absent Fertile verrucae 0.5-1.5 mm in diam., semi-emergent to emergent, slightly flat at the top; asci 2-3-sporate; ascospores 93-150 x 39-45 ^m, 2-3 walled, with wall 3-6 jam thick, outer wall smooth and inner rough; atranorin, and 2 unidentified substances present P. cf.quassiae
4b. Only stictic acid present 5
5a. Fertile verrucae 0.3-1.8 mm in diam., confluent, emergent, smooth to finely cracked, flat to depressed in the centre; ostioles black, distinct, 1-9 per verrucae; asci 2-sporate; ascospores 120-135 x 30-45 \im; 2 walled thick, outer smooth and inner slightly rough; stictic acid present Pertusaria sp. 3
5b. Fertile verrucae, 0.3-0.5 mm in diam., semi-emergent; ostioles 1-4 per verrucae; asci 2-sporate; ascospores hyaline to olivaceous green, 2 walled with ca. 3 ^m thickness, both walls smooth, 120-168 x 32-48 ^m; stictic and constictic acids present P. pertusa
6a. Constictic acid absent Fertile verrucae 0.5-1.5 mm in diam., semi-emergent, confluent or solitary; ostioles, moderately wide; asci 1-3-sporate; ascospores 60-99 x 21-30 ^m, 2-walled, with 6-9 |im thickness, outer and inner walls rough; stictic acid present Pertusaria sp. 2
6b. Constictic acid present
7a. Norstictic acid present Fertile verrucae 0.5-2.5 mm in diam., verruculose, confluent, depressed; asci 2-
208 sporate; ascospores 73-126 x 30-39 ^m, 2-walled, with wall 3-6 ^m thick, outer wall smooth and inner rough, central slit seen; atranorin, constictic, norstictic, stictic and an unidentified substance present P. quassiae
7b. Norstictic acid absent 8
8a. Fertile verrucae 0.3-1.5 (-1.8) mm in diam., slightly constricted at the base, confluent or solitary; ostioles wide, 8-10 per verrucae; asci 2-sporate; ascospores 8\- 129 X 27-45 i^m, 2-3 walled, with 6 |im thickness, outer smooth and inner slightly rough, central slit sometimes present; stictic, constictic and 2 unidentified substances present P. cf. depressa
8b. Fertile verrucae greenish-gray, sunken in thallus, subglobose, 0.6-0.8 mm in diam.; ostioles scarcely visible; asci 1-5 sporate; ascospores oblong, 72-88 x 24-40 f^m; stictic, constictic and an unknown substance present P. leioplaca
Pertusaria cinchonae Mull. Arg. [Fig-: 231] F/ora,67:353(1884).
Thailus crustose, corticolous, yellowish-gray, smooth to finely cracked, warts few, large, epiphloeodal, nonsorediate, nonisidiate, 120-195 ^m thick, cortex very thin; hypothallus blackish. Fertile verrucae concolorous with the thallus, round, semi- emergent to emergent, slightly constricted at the base, 0.2-1.2 mm in diam., regular in outline, hemispherical, smooth to rarely cracked, round to slightly depressed at the top; ostioles brownish, 1-6 per verrucae; epihymenium indistinct, K1-; hymenium hyaline, not inspersed with oil globules, more than 300 i^m tall, K1+ blue; paraphyses branched and anastomosed, thin, slender; asci 8-sporate, cylindrical, uniseriate, 175-180 x 20-27 ^m, KI+ blue. Ascospores hyaline, simple, ellipsoidal, sometimes central slit seen, 100-120 x 39-40 [im, 1-, 2-3 walled, of 3-9 \xm. thickness, outer and irmer walls smooth. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P + yellow; UV-; stictic acid (trace) present.
Habitat: This species has been collected mainly from dry deciduous forests.
Distribution: India (Andaman Islands, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu).
Remarks: Pertusaria cinchonae MUll. Arg. is known to have stictic, constictic, norstictic acid (trace) and an unknown substance. The specimens studied here do not contain
209 norstictic acid. Nevertheless, the specimens are identical to P. cinchonae in respect of all other characters. This is the first record of this species from Maharashtra.
Specimens Examined: Nasik District, Bhandardara, 25.9.2002, B.A. Adawadkar & A.V. Bhosale, 02.156, 02.157, 02.158, 02.159. Pune District, Bhimashankar, 6.9.1970, P.G. Patwardhan & P.D. Badhe, 70.34, 70.61; 1.10.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.906; 17.9.1997, B.A. Adawadkar, 97.29; Malshej ghat, Neemgiri, 9.9.2003, U.V. Makhija & G.S. Chitale, 03.37. Raigad District, Kamala, 16.9.2002, U.V. Makhija &. B.A. Adawadkar, 02.97. Satara District, Gureghar, 1973, P.G. Patwardhan, 73.48, 73.77.
Pertusaria cf. depressa (Fee) Mont, et Bosch [Fig.: 232] Apud. Jungh. Plant. Junghuhn. fasc, 4: 482 (1855). =Porina depressa Fee Essai Crypt. Ecorc. Officin., 80 (1824).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, grayish-green, slightly cracked, verrucose, corticate, inspersed with crystals; thin, nonsorediate, nonisidiate; hypothallus distinctly black. Fertile verrucae large, concolorous with the thallus, round, slightly constricted at the base, semi-emergent, confluent, 0.3-1.8 mm in diam., regular in outline, hemispherical smooth, solitary to sometimes fused in groups of 2-3; ostioles wide, 2-3 per verrucae; epihymenium indistinct, K1-; hymenium hyaline, not inspersed with oil globules, more than 300 \im tall, K+ yellowish, K1+ blue; paraphyses profusely branched, anastomosed, thin, slender; asci 2-sporate, uniseriate, long, cylindrical, 180-195x30-36 l^m, 1+ blue. Ascospores hyaline, simple, ellipsoidal, with central slit, sometimes present, 81-129 X 27-45 ^m, 1+ blue, 2-3 walled, of 6 i^m thickness, outer smooth and inner slightly rough. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC+ yellowish, P+ orange; UV-; stictic, constictic acid and two unidentified substances (indicated by gray spots at Rf 6-7 in BDA & TEF).
Habitat: The species has been collected in dry deciduous, as well as in semi-evergreen forests in Maharashtra.
210 Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: The specimens at hand resemble Pertusaria depressa (Fee) Mont, et Bosch in respect of all characters but has UV- thallus (lichexanthone absent). According to Awasthi (1991) P. depressa has UV+ thallus.
Specimens Examined: Kolhapur District, on the way to Phonda from Radhanagari, 12.10.2000, U.V. Makhija & K.R. Randive, 00.317, 00.318. Nasik District, Kalsubai, 25.9.2002, U.V. Makhija & B.A. Adawadkar, 02.165; Saptashringi gad, 3.8.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.213, 74.245, 74.249, 74.265, 74.266, 74.267, 74.270, 74.282; 24.9.2002, B.C. Behera «& A.V. Bhosale, 02.172, 02.178, 02.199, 02.200, 02.209, 02.210, 02.211. Pune District, Tamihini Ghat, 7.10.2003, A.A. Sonone & P. Rao, 03.437, 03.438; Malavali, Bhaja caves, 26.7.1974, M.B. Nagarkar & A.V. Prabhu, 74.132, 74.133, 74.134, 74.137, 74.138, 74.139; Sinhagad, 4.7.2003, U.V. Makhija & N. Verma, 03.29, 03.39, 03.51, 03.56. Satara District, Arther seat, Mahabaleshwar, 11.9.1972, P.D. Badhe, 72.32; 27.11.1974, M.B. Nagarkar & A.V. Prabhu, 74.1772; Lodwick Point, 28.11.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.1882, 74.1891, 74.1903; Panchgani, Tata Holiday Home, 29.9.2003, U.V. Makhija & N. Verma, 03.375, 03.399, 03.504, 03.505, 03.506.
Pertusaria leioplaca (Ach.) DC. Flore Franc, edit. 3, 6: 173 (1815). = Lichen hymenius Ach. Lick Suec. Prodrom., 80 (1798).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, olivaceous green to gray, warty; hypothallus present. Fertile verrucae greenish-gray, sunken, subglobose, 0.6-0.8 mm in diam.; ostioles scarcely visible, 0.4-0.5 mm tall; hymenium hyaline, not inspersed, 336-410 \im thick; paraphyses branched, anastomosed; hypothecium indistinct; asci 1-5 sporate, simple, clavate, 184-240 x 32-40 |im. Ascospores hyaline, 1-celled, suboblong, uniseriate, 72-88 x 24-40 ^m.
211 Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow; C-; KC yellow of K, P+ yellow; UV-; lichen substances not known.
Habitat: The species was collected in moist deciduous forests, in open places.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra, Manipur, Mt. Abu, N.W. Himalaya and Orissa), Florida and Nepal.
Remarks: This species was earlier reported from Maharashtra by Patwardhan & Badhe (1973b) as Pertusaria leioplaca (Ach.) D.C. but thereafter it has not been found and reported from this area. The specimen from Maharashtra [Colaba District, Kolgaon- Sasawane, P.D. Badhe, No. 283, 1972-AMH], on which the earlier record of this species was based is not traceable and available for study. The description is from Patwardhan & Badhe (1973).
Pertusaria pertusa (L.) Tuck. [Fig.: 233] An Enumer. North Americ. Lich., 56 (1845). = Lichen pertusus L. Mantissa,!. 131 (1767).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, greenish-gray, warty, 4-5 cm in size, nonsorediate, nonisidiate; hypothallus distinctly black. Fertile verrucae concolorous with the thallus, semi-emergent, 0.3-0.5 mm in diam.; disc narrow concave; ostioles 1-4 per verrucae; hymenium hyaline, not inspersed, 400-528 |im thick; asci 2-sporate, clavate to cylindrical, pedicillate, usually thick walled, 256-368 x 32-56 ^im. Ascospores hyaline, oblong, 120-168 x 32-48 i^m, 2 walled, outer and irmer wall smooth, with ca. 3 |im thickness (from Patwardhan & Badhe, 1973). Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-; KC-; P+ yellow; UV-; stictic and constictic acids present.
Habitat: The species has been collected in semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests in open places.
212 Distribution: India (Eastern Himalayas, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Mt. Abu, N.W. Himalayas and Kerala), Nepal, Sri Lanka and Tunisia.
Remarks: The species was reported from Maharashtra by Patwardhan &. Badhe (1973a). It has not been recollected in recent explorations for lichens in this area.
Specimens Examined: Pune District, Khandala, 14.7.1970, P.G. Patwardhan & P.D. Badhe, 31; Lonavala, No. 27. Satara District, Mahabaleshwar, Patwardhan & P.D. Badhe, 39.
Pertusaria quassiae (Fee) Nyl, [Figs.: 87, 88, 89, 90 & 234] Ann. Sci. Nat., Bot., ser4., 15: 45 (1861). =Porina quassiae Fee Essai Cryptog. Ecorc. Officin., 81 (1824).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, yellowish-gray, verruculose, warty, granular, 150- 240 ^m thick, cortex 6-9 |im thick, nonsorediate, nonisidiate; hypothallus distinctly black. Fertile verrucae concolorous with the thallus, verrucose, confluent, immersed to semi-emergent, rarely solitary to grouped, round to irregular, verruculose, depressed in the centre, constricted at the base, 0.5-2.5 mm in diam.; ostioles central, externally 1-2 per verrucae, indistinct; epihymenium indistinct, KI-; hymenium hyaline, not inspersed, 180-255 |am tall, K+ yellow, KI+ blue; paraphyses branched, anastomosed, thin, slender; asci 2-sporate, uniseriate, cylindrical, KI+ blue. Ascospores simple, hyaline, ellipsoidal, with central slit, 72-126 x 30-39 f^m, I-, 1 walled thick, wall 3-6 (-12) \im thick, outer wall smooth and iimer rough. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P+ yellow; UV-; atranorin, constictic, norstictic, stictic acids and an unidentified yellow substance at Rf 7 in TDA.
Habitat: Pertusaria quassiae is generally found in moist deciduous and evergreen forests.
213 Distribution: India (Andaman Islands, Andhra Pradesh, Eastern Himalayas, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Nagaland and N.W. Himalayas), Brazil, British Isles, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
Remarks: Pertusaria quassiae is one of the most common and widely distributed species of this genus in the Indian subcontinent. This species was earlier reported from Maharashtra by Awasthi (1991).
Specimens Examined: Kolhapur District, Amba, near Govt, rest house, 17.10.1974, A.V. Prabhu & C.R. Kulkami, 74.1376. Ratnagiri District, Dabhole ghat, 9.3.1974, M. B. Nagarkar, 74.81. Satara District, Window point-Mahabaleshwar, 1.11.1973, M.B. Nagarkar & A.V. Prabhu, 73.194, 73.2929; Dhobi ghat-Mahabaleshwar, 28.11.1974, 74.81; Gureghar-Mahabaleshwar, 21.6.1975, M.B. Nagarkar & A.V. Prabhu, 75.61. Sindhudurg District, on the way to Vaibhavwadi, 12.10.2000, B.A. Adawadkar & K.R. Randive, 00.361, 00.362.
Pertusaria cf. quassiae (Fee) Nyl. [Fig.: 235] Ann. Sci. Nat.. Bot., ser 4,15: 45 (1861). =Porina quassiae Fee Essai Cryptog. Ecorc. Officin., 81 (1824).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, yellowish-green, finely cracked, smooth, verruculose, 120-170 fxm thick; cortex hyaline, 3-9 i^m thick, transparent, nonsorediate, nonisidiate; hypothallus not seen. Fertile verrucae fertile, semi-emergent to emergent, slightly flat at the top and constricted at the base, 0.5-1.5 mm in diam.; ostioles black, 1-2 per verrucae; epihymenium indistinct, KI-; hymenium hyaline, inspersed with oil globules, 285-300 ^m tall, KI+ blue; paraphyses branched, anastomosed, thin, not septate; ostioles wide, central, sunken; asci 2-3-sporate, bitunicate, cylindrical, uniseriate, KI+ blue. Ascospores hyaline, simple, 93-150 x 39-45 ^m, I-, 2-3-walled, with 3-6 i^m thickness, outer wall smooth and inner rough. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P+ yellow; UV-; atranorin and 2 unidentified substances indicated by a peach- reddish spot at Rf 4 and Rf 4-5 in BDA & TEF.
214 Habitat: Pertusaria cf. quassiae has been collected in moist to dry deciduous forests in the open places.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: The present species is morphologically identical to Pertusaria quassiae (Fee) Nyl. but it has slightly larger ascospores of 93-150 x 39-45 |im and it lacks constictic acid. Therefore, in the present treatment, this has been kept as a closely related form of P. quassiae. P. quassiae has atranorin and two unidentified substances and ascospores 72- 126 X 30-39 fam in size.
Specimens Examined: Kolhapur District, Panhala, 1973, P.G. Patwardhan, 73.95; 9.9.1988, P.G. Patwardhan 8L M.B. Nagarkar, 88.103; 13.10.1974, P.G. Patwardhan & A.V. Prabhu, 74.1133, 74.1134, 74.1135, 74.1166; 13.10.2000, U.V. Makhija & B.A. Adawadkar, 00.428, 00.429a. Nasik District, Anjaneri, 26.9.2002, U.V. Makhija & A.V. Bhosale, 02.227, 02.228. Pune District, Khandala, 1.1.1971, P.G. Patwardhan, 71.3; Karla Near Guest House, 25.8.1973, P.G. Patwardhan, 73.219, 73.222, 73.223, 73.224, 73.225, 73.226, 73.227, 73.228; 29.8.2000, V.A. Mantri & K.R. Randive, 00.93; 5.8.2003, B.A. Adawadkar & G.S. Chitale, 03.198; Lonavala, 29.8.2000, B.C. Behera «& B.A. Adawadkar, 00.91; 16.9.2002, B.A. Adawdkar, A.V. Bhosale, 02.110, 02.111, 02.112; Amby valley, 5.8.2003, B.C. Behera & B.A. Adawadkar, 03.216, 03.243, 03.247, 03.264; 29.8.2000, B.C. Behera & B.A. Adawadkar, 00.90, 00.92; Purandar fort, 13.9.2002, U.V. Makhija & B.A. Adawadkar, 02.46, 02.47, 02.48, 02.49, 02.50; 30.8.1971, P.D. Badhe, 71.37; 1972, P.D. Badhe, 72.129, 72.133, 72.141, 72.142, 72.144, 72.148, 73.119, 73.123, 73.127, 73.129, 73.134, 73.136, 73.160, 73.167; 18.6.1977, M.B. Nagarkar & J.M.T, 77.605. Ratnagiri District, Poladpur, 2.11.1973, A.V. Prabhu & C.R. Kulkami, 73.2939.
Pertusaria sp. 1 [Fig.: 236]
Thallus crustose, corticolous, yellowish-gray, smooth to rough, cracked, flaking, epiphloeodal, 69-75 |im thick, cortex thin, 3-6 \\.m thick, transparent, nonsorediate,
215 nonisidiate; hypothallus distinctly black. Fertile verrucae blackish, verruculose, folded at the margins, confluent, slightly constricted at the base, hemispherical, round to irregular, sometimes depressed in the centre, 0.8-1.2 mm in diam.; ostioles 1-8 per verrucae, wide; epihymenium brownish, 15-30 \im; hymenium hyaline, inspersed with crystals and few oil globules, upto 300 |im tall, KI+ blue; paraphyses profusely branched, thin; asci 2-sporate, bitunicate, cylindrical, 130-150 x 25-27 fim, KI+ blue. Ascospores hyaline, simple, (60-) 81-138 x 21-33 [im, I-, 2 walled of 3-6 \im thickness, outer wall smooth and inner wall wrinkled. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P+ yellow; UV-; divaricatic, norstictic acid and 2 unidentified substances, [1 unidentified substance indicated by bluish spot at Rf 6-7, (UV+ red), an unidentified substance (UV+ greenish) at Rf 6].
Habitat: The species has been collected in moist deciduous forest in open places.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: Pertusaria sp. 1 is somewhat similar to Pertusaria sp. 3 in ascospore size but it greatly differs from the latter species in chemistry in having divaricatic and norstictic acids. Pertusaria sp. 3 possesses only stictic acid.
Pertusaria sp. 1 is somewhat similar to P. litchicola Jariangpresert & A.W. Archer, a species from Thailand, in having verruciform, confluent apothecia, constricted at the base, 2 (rarely 3)-sporate asci and ascospores of 86-150 x 26-44 |im but it differs in having norstictic acid along with divaricatic acid. P. litchicola is known to produce methyl 2-0-methyldivaricate (major), 2-0-methyldivaricatic acid (major to minor), 4,5- dichlorolichexanthone (major to minor) (Sureepom J. et al., 2003).
Specimens Examined: Ratnagiri District, Dabhole Ghat: Ratnagiri- Hatkhamba Rd., 5.12.1974, M.B. Nagarkar & A.V. Prabhu, 74.1991, 74.2031, 74.2032, 74.2033, 74.2034, 74.2117; Nerur, 16.9.1975, A.V. Prabhu, 75.443, 75.464 75.465, 75.501, 75.507, 75.508, 75.511.
216 Pertusaria sp. 2 [Fig-: 237]
Thallus crustose, corticolous, grayish, verruculose, warts small, rough, finely as well as deeply cracked, uniformly thickened, uneven, 105-135 |am thick, ecorticate, nonsorediate, nonisidiate; hypothallus whitish-pale yellow. Fertile verrucae uniformly spread, confluent, semi-emergent, solitary to fused laterally, slightly constricted at the base, hemispherical, regular in outline, 0.5-1.5 mm in diam.; ostioles central, small, moderately wide; epihymenium indistinct, KI-; hymenium hyaline, inspersed with oil globules, 225-300 ^m tall, K+ yellow, KI+ blue; paraphyses branched, anastomosed, thin; asci 1-3-sporate, bitunicate, uniseriate, long, cylindrical, 195-231 x 27-30 i^m. Ascospores hyaline, simple, ellipsoidal, 60-99 x 21-30 |a.m, I-, 2-walled, 6-9 \x.m thick, outer and inner wall rough. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P+ yellow; UV-; stictic acid.
Habitat: The specimens were found in dry deciduous forest where temperatures are very high in summer.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: Pertusaria sp. 2 comes close to P. hylocola Jariangprasert & A.W. Archer in having (3-) 6-8 sporate asci and ascospores of 64-89 x 28-42 ^m but it differs from that species, greatly in chemistry. P. hylocola produces stictic (major), constictic acid (major), perlatolic acid (minor), hyperlatolic acid (minor), thiophaninic acid (minor), cryptostictic acid (trace), peristictic acid (trace), methyl stictic acid (trace), methyl pseudolusitanate (trace), 2-chloro-6-0-methylnorlichexanthone (trace) (Sureepom J. et ah, 2003) while Pertusaria sp. 2 has only stictic acid in its thallus.
Specimens Examined: Chandrapur District, Tadoba, Colony Road, 24.8.2000, K.R. Randive & V.A. Mantri, 00.74, 00.75, 70.95.
217 Pertusaria sp. 3 [Fig.: 238]
Thallus crustose, corticolous, grayish, rough, verruculose, heavily cracked, epiphloeodal, thick, ecorticate, nonsorediate, nonisidiate; hypothallus black. Fertile verrucae confluent, emergent, smooth to finely cracked, flat to depressed in the centre, depressed area black, 0.3-1.8 mm in diam.; ostioles black, distinct, 1-9 per verrucae, wide, epihymenium indistinct, K-; hymenium hyaline, more than 300 \xm tall, KI+ blue; paraphyses branched, anastomosed; asci 2-sporate, bitunicate, KI+ blue. Ascospores simple, hyaline, 120-135 x 30-45 jim, I-, 2-walled, outer wall smooth and inner slightly rough,. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P + yellow; UV-; stictic acid present.
Habitat: The specimens have been collected in semi-evergreen forest. The collecting locality receives heavy rains in the monsoon and has high humidity.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: Pertusaria sp. 3 resembles to P. alboatra Zahlbr., a New Zealand species, in having verruciform, confluent fertile verrucae, which are flattened to depressed at the tops, 0.5-1 mm in diam., asci 2-sporate and in the ascospore size but differs greatly in their chemistry.
Pertusaria alboatra produces a range of acids thiophaninic acid (major) with 2- chloro-6-O-methylnorlichexanthone (trace) and 4-chloro-6-0-methylnorlichexanth- one (trace) (Archer & Elix, 1994) whereas the present species produces only stictic acid.
Specimens Examined: Sindhudurg District, Amboli, 8.12.1974, P.G. Patwardhan & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.2353; 18.10.1974, C.R. Kulkami & A.V. Prabhu, 74.1464; 19.10.1974, C.R. Kulkami & A.V. Prabhu, 74.1631, 74.1657.
Genus: Phaeographis Mull. Arg. (Graphidaceae) 7^/orfl,65:336(1882).
218 The lichen genus Phaeographis Miill. Arg. is characterized by: thallus crustose, corticolous or rarely saxicolous. Photobiont a green alga (Trentepohlia). Apothecia rarely oblong, generally elongate-lirellate, simple or branched, immersed to emergent. Excipular labia and proper margins poorly developed and weakly carbonized, ± brown, divergent (cross section) or labia well developed but the discs not concealed and not pruinose. The hypothecium does not become carbonized with age. The excipular base may be carbonized but the carbonized layer is not increasing with age and the carbonization does no spread to the hymenium. Paraphyses simple, tips usually chandelier-like branched. Asci usually 8-spored, unitunicate. Ascospores pale brown to brown, oval or elongate, ellipsoid, lumina lenticular, transseptate or muriform, 1+.
Phaeographis Mull. Arg. {sensu Miill. Arg. 1880, 1882) is a cosmopolitan genus, widely spread, mainly in the tropical regions with about 200 species known at the world level (Kirk et al, 2001). So far 26 species have been recorded from the Indian subcontinent (Awasthi, 1991, 2000). However, in the present treatment, the new system of Staiger (2002) has been followed.
Two species oi Phaeographis namely, P. leightonii Patw. & C.R. Kulkami and P. noralboradians (=Phaeographina noralboradians Patw. & C.R. Kulkami) were earlier recorded from Maharashtra (Patwardhan & Kulkami, 1979b). In the present studies seven species have been reported from Maharashtra of which P. caesioradiata has been described as a new species, and three species have been reported for the first time from Maharashtra. P. platycarpa Mtill. Arg. is reported here for the first time from India.
Key to the species oi Phaeographis from Maharashtra
1 a. Ascospores muriform Ascomata 2-7 mm long, white, emergent; proper exciple brown, not striate, convergent, noncarbonized; asci 8-sporate; ascospores 25-40 x 10-15 ^m; norstictic acid present P. noralboradians
1 b. Ascospores transversely septate 2
219 2a. Ascospores exceeding 30 |am in length Ascomata 1 -5 (-6) mm long, semi-emergent to emergent; exciple brown, carbonized apically and at the base, striate; ascospores 3-6-transseptate, 20-35 x 5-11 ^im; norstictic acid (trace) present Phaeographis sp. 1
2b. Ascospores not exceeding 30 |am in length 3
3a. Exciple noncarbonized 4
3b. Exciple weakly or completely carbonized 5
4a. Ascomata 0.5-4 mm long, semi-emergent, flexuous, radiately branched; disc wide open, caesiopruinose, concave to flat; exciple pale brown to reddish-brown, without striae; ascospores 3-transseptate, 10-21 x 4-9 ^m; norstictic and stictic acids present P. leightonii
4b. Ascomata 0.7-4 mm long, immersed or semi-emergent, simple to asteroidly radiately branched; exciple non carbonized, blackish-brown at apices; ascospores 3-7- transseptate, 11 -25 x 4-8 ^m; stictic acid (trace) present P. submarcescens
5a. Only stictic acid present Ascomata 0.7-4 mm long, immersed, round ends, simple to asteroidly radiate; exciple yellowish-brown, not striate, carbonized apically and at the basal comers; ascospores 3-5-transseptate, 14-25 x 5-11 |im P. platycarpa
5b. Only norstictic acid present 6
6a. Ascomata 4-7 mm long semi-emergent, profusely dendroidly branched; exciple entire to superficially 2-3 striate, thin, completely carbonized; ascospores 3-6-transseptate, 14-30 X 6-8 |jm; norstictic acid present P. caesioradiata
6b. Ascomata l-2(-3) mm long, simple to asteroidly radiate, immersed to semi-emergent with round ends; exciple entire to indistinctly striate, carbonized apically and at base; ascospores 2-7-transseptate, 18-28 x 4-8 |im; norstictic acid (trace) present P. dendritica
Phaeographis caesioradiata sp. nov. lFig«"« 239] Type: India, Maharashtra, Ratnagiri District, Nerur, 16.3.1975, A.V. Prabhu, 75.439 (Holotype-AMH).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, epiphloeodal, brownish-yellow, pale amber to honey brown, smooth, continuous or cracked with the age, 53-88 ^m thick, hypothallus
220 not seen. Ascomata lirelline, 4-7 mm long and 0.2-0.3 mm broad, short, flexuous, profusely dendroidly branched, usually present in groups 4-15 (-20) mm across (but not in stroma), semi-emergent, terminally round; thalline margin pale yellowish to dull white, up to the top; disc blackish-brown, grayish-white, gray pruinose, moderately open, flat, to concave; exciple dark blackish or reddish-brown, 2-3 superficially striate, thin, completely carbonized, exciple present at base, carbonized; epihymenium brown, 7-10 l^m thick; hymenium hyaline, clear, 63-77 ^m tall, KI-; hypothecium, slightly brownish, 14-21 |am thick; paraphyses simple, long, septate, thickened at the apices, rarely branched; asci 8-sporate, cylindrical, unitunicate, 53-88 x 7-10.5 ^m. Ascospores brown, fusiform-oblong, 3-6-transseptate without a gelatinous sheath, 14-30 x 6-8 \xm. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P+ yellow to orange; UV-; norstictic acid present.
Habitat: The specimens have been collected in moist deciduous forest in open places.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: Phaeographis caesioradiata is comparable to P. dendritica (Ach.) MUll. Arg. and Phaeographis sp. 1 in having a wide open, grayish pruinose disc and norstictic acid but differs in the degree of carbonization. The lirellae in this group of species are profusely dendroidly branched and show a tendency towards distinct aggregation. Thus, this group represents a transitional stage between typical Phaeographis and typical stromata in Sarcographa.
Specimens Examined: Ratnagiri District, Nerur, 16.3.1975, A.V. Prabhu, 75.440.
Phaeographis dendritica (Ach.) Mull. Arg. [Figs.: 18 & 240] F/ora, 65:382(1882). = Opegrapha dendritica Ach. Meth.Lich.,l\{\%Ql>).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, greenish-gray to pale olivaceous, epiphloeodal, continuous, cracked, smooth to distinctly warty, continuous or cracked with the age, 140- 158 \x.m thick; surrounded by a thin, black hypothallus. Ascomata lirelline, short, simple
221 to asteroidly radiate, usually present in groups (5-10 mm across), immersed or semi- emergent, with round ends, 1-2 (-3) mm long and 0.2-0.4 mm broad; thalline margin concolorous with the thallus, and up to the top, sulcate; disc blackish-brown, distinctly broad, open, white to caesiopruinose, flat; exciple orange-brown to dark brownish-black at the base and apices, entire to striate, in section present at base, noncarbonized, covered by a thick thalline margin up to the top; epihymenium blackish-brown, 11-18 ^im thick; hymenium hyaline, clear, 49-95 [im tall, KI-; hypothecium hyaline, 28-39 \xm thick; paraphyses simple, long, thin, septate, thickened at the apices; asci 2-8-sporate, cylindrical, unitunicate, 77-84 x 7-10.5 ^m. Ascospores fusiform-oblong, brown, 2-7- transseptate, without a gelatinous sheath, 18-28 x 4-8 [im, 1+ blue. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; norstictic acid (trace) present.
Habitat: The specimens have been collected in moist deciduous forest in open places.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra and West Bengal), Europe, Florida, France, Hawaii, Portugal and Spain.
Remarks: Phaeographis dendritica (Ach.) Mull. Arg., is cosmopolitan in distribution and is distinguished by short, simple to asteroid to radiately, branched ascomata. P. dendritica is somewhat comparable to P. intricans (Nyl.) Staiger on the basis of ascospore size P. intricans possesses connorstictic along with norstictic acid. This species has been reported for the first time from Maharashtra.
Specimens Examined: Ratnagiri District, Nivali village, 16.10.1974, C.R. Kulkami & A.V. Prabhu, 74.2087, 74.2088.
Phaeographis leightonii Patw. & C.R. Kulkarni [Figs.: 19,49 «& 241] Norw. J. Bot.,ie: A9 {\919).
Type: India, Maharashtra, Ratnagiri District, Nivali, A.V. Parbhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.2097 (Holotype-AMH) !.
222 Thallus pale primrose to glaucous, buff coloured, smooth, epiphloeodal, 53-151 l^m thick. Ascomata lirelline, semi-emergent to flexuous, luxuriantly branched, asteroid, with ends obtuse to tapering, 0.5-4 mm long and 0.1-3 mm broad; disc wide open, caesiopruinose, concave to flat; exciple entire, present at base, pale brown, to reddish- brown, noncarbonized; epihymenium blackish-brown, 7-11 ^m thick; hymenium hyaline. 100-140 ^m tall; subhymenium colourless to reddish-brown, 21-35 |im thick; asci 8- sporate, unitunicate, cylindrical, 42-72 x 7-12 \im. Ascospores brown, 3-transseptate, 4- loculate, 10-21 x 4-9 ^m. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow to red, C-, KC-, P+ orange yellow; UV-; norstictic and stictic acids present.
Habitat: The specimens have been collected in moist forests.
Distribution: India (Kerala and Maharashtra).
Remarks: The occurrence of norstictic and stictic acid is rather rare in Phaeographis. The present taxon resembles P. subtigrina (Vain.) Zahlbr. and P. inconspicua (Fee) Miill. Arg., both norstictic acid producing species, in ascospore size and nature of the exciple. However, P. inconspicua has dendroidly branched lirellae and P. subtigrina has immersed lirellae.
Specimens Examined: Ratnagiri District, Nivali, 5.12.1974, M.B. Nagarkar, 74.2133, 74.2139 (only stictic acid present), 74.2145, 74.2154.
Phaeographis noralboradians (Patw. & C.R. Kulkarni) comb. nov. [Fig- 242] = Phaeographina noralboradians Patw. & C.R. Kulkarni Ind J. Bot., 2(2): 137(1979).
Type: India, Kerala, Ponmudi, P.O. Patwardhan & M.B. Nagarkar, 73.2640 (Holotype- AMH)!.
Thallus crustose, corticolous, greenish glaucous to olivaceous buff, dull, smooth, hypophloeodal. Ascomata lirelline, emergent, white, simple, short, triradiate, rarely
223 branched, 2-7 mm long, terminally obtuse to subacute, thalline margin raised, concolorous with the thallus; disc raised, concolorous with the thallus, moderately open, white pruinose; proper exciple not striate, convergent, brown, present at the base, noncarbonized; epihymenium hyaline; hymenium hyaline, clear, 70-120 ^im tall; paraphyses simple, unbranched; asci 8-sporate, unitunicate, cylinrdico-clavate. Ascospores brown, muriform, ellipsoidal to broadly fusiform, 25-40 x 10-15 urn. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow to red, C-, KC-, P+ orange yellow; UV-; norstictic acid present.
Habitat: The specimen has been collected in moist deciduous forest in open places.
Distribution: India (Kerala and Maharashtra).
Remarks: Phaeographis noralboradians resembles P. caesioradians (Leight.) Redinger, in all other characters but differs in having norstictic acid. This species was earlier reported as Phaeographina noralboradians Patw. & C.R. Kulkami from Maharashtra (Patwardhan & Kulkami, 1979b).
Specimen Examined: Ratnagiri District, Chiplun-Ratnagiri road, Nivali, 5.12.1974, C. R. Kulkami, 74.2044.
Phaeographis platycarpa Miill. Arg. [Fig-: 243] Bot. Jahrb. SysL, 20: 284 (1894).
Thallus cmstose, corticolous, yellowish-brown, epiphloeodal, tightly attached to substratum, smooth, cracked with the age, 40-70 i^m thick. Ascomata lirelline, short, wavy to curved, simple to asteroidly radiate, usually present in whitish patches or groups (1-3 mm across), immersed, with round ends, 0.7-4 mm long; thalline margin paler than the thallus; disc broad, reddish-brown to dark gray, white pminose, flat, 0.1-0.2 mm broad; exciple yellowish-brown, not striate, in sections exciple absent at base, noncarbonized, brown to dark brown apically and at basal comers, covered by a thick thalline margin up to the top; epihymenium brown, 7-11 |im thick; hymenium hyaline, clear, 35-50 \im tall, KI-; hypothecium hyaline, 14-21 fim thick; paraphyses simple.
224 thick, brown, capitate, branched at the apices; asci 4-8-sporate, unitunicate, cylindrico- clavate, 39-63 x 9-11 i^m. Ascospores brown, fiisiform-oblong, 3-5-transseptate, without a gelatinous sheath, 14-25 x 5-11 [im. Chemistry: Thallus K+ orange, C-, KC-, P+ yellow; UV-; stictic acid (trace) present.
Habitat: The specimen has been collected in moist deciduous forest.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra), Africa, Australia, Brazil, and Tanzania.
Remarks: Phaeographisplatycarpa, a species earlier reported from Africa and Australia, is being reported for the first time from India.
Specimen Examined: Ratnagiri District, Nivah village-Chiplun, 5.12.1974, C.R. Kulkami, 74.2109.
Phaeographis submarcescens (Leight.) Zahlbr. [Fig.: 244] Cat. Lick Univ., 2: 387 (1924). = Graphis submarcescens Leight. Trans. Linn. Soc. London, 11: 178 (1869).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, brownish-yellow, epiphloeodal, smooth, continuous or cracked with the age, 70-105 fim thick. Ascomata lirelline, 0.7-4 mm long and 0.3 mm broad, short, simple to asteroidly radiate, (4-7 mm across), immersed, or semi- emergent, with round ends; thalline margin paler than the thallus, surrounded by white areas; disc blackish-brown, white to caesiopruinose, open, flat; exciple yellowish-brown, in sections exciple present at base, noncarbonized, dark brown at tips, covered by a thick thalline margin up to the top, 3-6 short striae only apically; epihymenium brown, 7-11 \im thick; hymenium hyaline, clear, 46-70 ^im tall, KI-; hypothecium hyaline, 14-21 ^m thick; paraphyses simple, short, branched at the apices; asci 4-8-sporate, cylindrico- clavate, unitunicate, 49-70 x 6-7 \im. Ascospores brown, fusiform-oblong, 3-7- transseptate, without a gelatinous sheath, 11-25 x 4-8 |a,m. Chemistry: Thallus K+ pale yellow, C-, KC-, P+ yellowish; UV-; stictic acid (trace) present.
225 Habitat: The specimen has been collected in moist deciduous forest.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra), Sri Lanka.
Remarks: Phaeographis submarcescens (Leight.) Zahlbr. was previously reported from Sri Lanka and is now reported for the first time from Maharastra. Specimen Examined: Ratnagiri District, Nerur, 16.3.1975, A.V. Prabhu, 75.467.
Phaeographis sp. 1 [Fig-: 245]
Thallus crustose, corticolous, citrine-green to pale olivaceous buff, epiphloeodal, continuous, cracked, smooth, glossy, continuous or cracked with the age, 70-140 ^m thick. Ascomata lirelline, 1-5 (-6) mm long and 0.2-0.5 mm broad, simple to sparsely branched, asteroid usually present in groups (2-7 mm across) not in stroma, semi- emergent, to emergent, with roxmd ends; thalline margin concolorous with the thallus, warty, raised; disc broadly open, blackish-brown to white, grayish pruina, flat; exciple brown to carbonized at the tips, entire to striate, in sections exciple present at base, dark brownish-black basally; epihymenium blackish-brovm, 7-14 fam thick; hymenium hyaline, clear, 63-114 ^m tall, KI-; hypothecium hyaline, 29-35 |am thick; paraphyses simple, long, thin, transseptate, thickened at the apices; asci 8-sporate, cylindrical, unitunicate, 86-88 x 5-10.5 |a,m. Ascospores brown, fusiform-oblong, with 3-6- transseptate, without a gelatinous sheath, 20-35 x 5-11 \xvn., I+. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow to red, C-, KC-, P+ deep yellow-; UV-; norstictic acid (trace) present.
Habitat: The specimens have been collected in moist deciduous forests in open places.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: Phaeographis sp. 1 is comparable to P. dendritica (Ach.) Miill. Arg. and P. caesioradiata in most of the characters with slight variations in the degree of carbonization, striate labia and ascospore size. I feel that the Phaeographis sp. 1 is an incompletely segregated population. May be because of this, the clones have many
226 overlapping characters yet not completely segregated to form a morphologically distinct group which can be recognized as a distinct species. So, I wish to retain this as an unidentified species, until more material could be studied.
Specimens Examined: Ratnagiri District, Chiplun, 5.12.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.2007, 74.2008, 74.2103, 74.2014; Ratnagiri, 5.12.1974, C.R. Kulkarni, 74.2013,74.2018.
Genus: Phlyctis Flot. (Phlyctidaceae) Fw. in Botan. Zeitung, 8: 571 (1850).
The lichen genus Phlyctis Flot. is characterized by: thallus crustose, smooth to verrucose. Photobiont a protococcoid, green alga. Apothecia sunken in thallus or erumpent, round, with indistinct thalline margin, proper exciple present or absent. Paraphyses unbranched or furcated at apices. Asci 1-8 spored, bitunicate. Ascospores colourless, transseptate to multicelled-muriform, thin walled, elongate-ellipsoid, lacking mucilaginous sheath.
The lichen genus Phlyctis is widely spread with about 10 species known at the world level (Kirk et al, 2001). So far only 3 species namely Phlyctis himalayensis (Nyl.) D.D. Awasthi, P. nepalensis Rasanen and P. polyphora Stirt. have been reported from the Indian subcontinent (Awasthi, 1991, 2000).
In the present studies only one species has been reported from Maharashtra, and is the first record of this genus from this area.
Phlyctis communis sp. nov. [Figs.: 91, 92 & 246]
Type: India, Maharashtra, Satara District, Mahabaleshwar, 24.9.1997, U.V. Makhija, 97.52 (Holotype-AMH).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, grayish-greenish-white, large patches spreading over the bark, cracked, areolate-shiny, rough, white in cracks and at margins, 90-120 i^m thick; algal layer green, 30-35 ^im thick; hypothallus black. Apothecia white to black, round, oblong, crowded all over the thallus, initially radially arranged in small circles,
227 later grouped into each other forming very large patches on the bark of tree trunks, individual 0.2-1 mm in diam., radial arrangement 1-2 (-3.5) mm in diam., immersed in the thallus; disc white to black, covered with white pruina, plane to concave; exciple brownish, loosely interwoven; epihymenium dark brown, 30-33 |im thick. KI-; hymenium colourless to light yellow, 72-81 |am tall, K1+ blue; paraphyses simple to branched at tips, not septate; hypothecium brownish, 12-15 ^m thick; asci 8-sporate, bitunicate, 90-105 x 18-24 [im, KI+ blue. Ascospores hyaline, 7-14 (-16)- transseptate to sometimes sub-muriform, 18-33 (-45) x 6-9 (im. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow to red, C-, KC-, P+ yellow; UV-; norstictic and salazinic acids present.
Habitat: This species is very common and has been collected in vast areas in semi- evergreen forest, where large thalli grow on the bark of Ficus bengalensis, and Casurina equisitefolia often associated with Arthothelium awasthii Patw. & Makhija.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: The new species Phlyctis communis is comparable to Phlyctis polyphora Stirt. in having whitish thallus, pruinose apothecial disc, measuring in 0.4-1.2 mm in diam. However, it can easily be distinguished by its smaller ascospores of 18-33 (-45) x 6-9 \xm in size. P. polyphora has very large muriform ascospores of 60-110 x 7.5-9.5 |im in size.
Phlyctis communis is a commonly occurring species in semi-evergreen forests where it grows in abundance.
Specimens Examined: Kolhapur District, Amba, 16.10.1974, C.R. Kulkami & A.V. Prabhu, 74.1282, 74.1827, 74.1284, 74.1285, 74.1290, 74.1291. 74.1292. 74.1293; 17.10.1974, A.V. Prabhu «& C.R. Kulkami, 74.1349, 74.1353, 74.1354; on the way to Kumbhi from Gaganbawda, 12.10.2000. B.A. Adawadkar & K.R. Randive, 00.335, 00.338, 00.353, 00.359; Panhala, 13.10.1974, P.O. Patwardhan & C.R. Kulkarni, 74.1089, 74.1090, 74.1171, 74.1176, 74.1177, 74.1221; 13.10.2000. U.V. Makhija & K.R. Randive, 00.457, 00.490; Panhala, 11.12.2002, G.S. Chitale, 02.80; on the way to
228 " "•• •<^\
, f 'honda from Radhanagari, 12.10.2000, U.V. Makhija & K.R. Randive, 00.295, 00.325. »une Disrict, Boma Hills, Khandala, 19.9.1974, M.B. Nagarkar & C.R. Kulkami, '4.687, 74.691, 74.692, 74.693, 74.695, 74.696, 74.704, 74.707; 18.9.1974, A.V. Prabhu Ic C.R. Kulkami, 74.708, 74.710, 74.712, 74.713; Lonavala, Walwan Dam, 16.9.2002, ^.V. Bhosale & G.S. Chitale, 02.113, 02.114; Lonavala, 30.9.2004, G.S. Chitale, 04.228; .onavala, Amby valley, 30.9.2004, B.C. Behera, 00.204, 04.205, 04.214. Satara )istrict, Mahabaleshwar, 20.10.1970, P.D. Badhe, 70.67, 70.68; 1.11.1973, C.R. Culkami, 73.2938; 28.1.1973, A.V. Prabhu, 73.625, 73.626; Mahabaleshwar, 24.9.1997, J.V. Makhija, 97.53, 97.57; Pratapgad, 24.9.1997, U.V. Makhija, 97.62; 25.9.2001, B.A. ^dawadkar, 01.9, 01.10; 15.7.2003, U.V. Makhija & B.C. Behera, 03.99; Arther seat 'oint, 27.11.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.1706, 74.1708, 74.1719, 74.1723, '4.1735, 74.1738, 74.1747, 74.1757, 74.1771, 74.1780; Dhobi ghat, 2.11.1973, P.G. >atwardhan & M.B. Nagarkar, 73.2950; 9.3.1974, M.B. Nagarkar, 74.66; Gureghar, 11.1.2004, B.A. Adawadkar, 04.7, 04.39; Lingmala fall, 27.2.1972, P.D. Badhe, 72.14; Jngmala, 21.1.2004, 04.9; Lingmala, 28.9.2004, G.S. Chitale, 04.171, 04.172; Lodwick 'oint, 28.2.1972, P.D. Badhe, 72.22; 28.11.1974, M.B. Nagarkar & A.V. Prabhu, '4.1837, 74.1838, 74.1855, 74.1904, 74.1905; Pratapgad Road, 2.11.1973, C.R. Culkami, 73.2942; Tigers path, 8.3.1974, M.B. Nagarkar, 74.11, 74.35, 74.49; !9.11.1985, M.B. Nagarkar & P.G. Patwardhan, 85.1854; Panchgani, Tata Holiday lome, 29.9.2003, U.V. Makhija & B.C. Behera, 03.369; on the way to Kas lake, L8.2004, B.C. Behera, 04.111. Sindhudurg District, Amboli, 18.10.1974, C.R. Kulkami i. A.V. Prabhu, 74.1483; 19.10.1974, A.V. Prabhu & C.R. Kulkami, 74.1586, 74.1588, ^4.1656; Ajra, 6.10.2004, B.C. Behera, N. Verma, 04.320, 04.321, 04.322, 04.331; Ajra- ^mboli, 7.12.1974, P.G. Patwardhan & A.V. Prabhu, 74.2248, 74.2249; 22.9.1980, P.G. 'atwardhan, 80.479; 2.1.1988, P.G. Patwardhan, 88.76, 88.77, 88.78, 88.79; 10.10.2000, J.V. Makhija & V.A. Mantri, 00.176.
229 Genus: Platygramme Fee (Graphidaceae) Bull. Soc. Bot. France 21: 29 (1874).
The lichen genus Platygramme Fee is characterized by: thallus crustose. Photobiont a green algae. Apothecia lirelliform, conspicuous, sessile, usually simple, open or closed. Disc ± sunken and whitish or grayish pruinose. Exciple well developed, convergent, apices wedge shaped apically carbonized or labia crenate laterally carbonized, reaching the base. Epihymenium epruinose or lightly pruinose. Hymenium inspersed. Hypothecium does not become carbonized with age. Asci unitunicate, 1-8-spored. Ascospores pale brown to brown, septate with lenticular locules, or muriform, 1+ red brown.
The genus Platygramme has recently been reintroduced by Staiger (2002).and reported 8 species of this genus (Staiger, 2002). It is generally a tropical to subtropical genus but sometimes occurs in temperate areas also.
Subsequently, Nakanishi et al, (2003) reported three species of this genus from Japan, namely Platygramme pseudomontagnei (M. Nakan.) M. Nakan. &. Kashiw., P. platyloma (Mull. Arg.) M. Nakan. &, Kashiw., and P. pudica (Mont. & Bosch) M. Nakan. & Kashiw, Archer (2005, 2006) reported four species namely P. arechavaletae (Miill. Arg.) A.W. Archer, P. fuscescens (A.W. Archer) A.W. Archer, P. impudica (A.W. Archer) A.W. Archer, P. mucronata (Stirt.) A.W. Archer from Australia and Lucking added one species P. costaricensis from Costa Rica. (http://www.fieldmuseum.org/research_collections/botany/botany_sites/ticolichen/keys_p hotos/Downloads/keygraphidaceae.pdf)-
The occurrence of one species of Platygramme was earlier recorded as Phaeographina halei Patw. & C.R. Kulkami from Maharashtra (Patwardhan & Kulkami, 1979b).
Platygramme halei (Patw. & C.R. Kulkarni) comb. nov. [Figs.: 20, 50 & 247] = Phaeographina halei Patw. & C.R. Kulkami
230 Norw. J. Bot., 26: 50 (1919).
Type: India, Maharashtra, near HoHday Camp, Amboli (elev. approx.lOOO m), on Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels, C.R. Kulkami & A.V. Prabhu, 74.1423 (AMH) !.
Thallus pale glaucous green to pale olivaceous buff, strongly warty to wrinkled, shiny, mainly endophloeodal. Ascomata lirelline, concolorous with the thallus, strongly emergent, simple, flexuous, woody, 5-12 mm long, terminally obtuse; thalline margin concolorous with the thallus, present up to the top; disc narrow, slit like; proper exciple thick, striate, brown, apically carbonized, basal parts of the exciple become dark brown with age and simultaneously grow upwards; epihymenium brown, 24.5-31.5 jam thick; hymenium hyaline, clear, 180-250 |im tall; paraphyses simple, unbranched; asci 8- sporate, unitunicate. Ascospores brown, muriform, oblong, ellipsoid, 60-110 x 10-18 (- 25) ^m. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: Platygramme halei has been collected from semi-evergreen forest on Syzygium cumini.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: This beautiful species is endemic to the rain forests of Amboli, and occurs on the bark of Syzigium cuminii (L.) Skeells. It is characterized by the distinctly warty thallus, strongly emergent apothecia, having striate labia, a narrow disc and an exciple carbonized at the tips of striae, and very thick at the basal part.
Wirth & Hale (1978) pointed out two types of striate labia on the basis of ontogeny. In the first case the labia are thick and lirellae are emergent. Depending on the age, the labia develop longitudinal groves on them. The number of groves increases proportionately to the age of lirellae. In the second case new hymenia are added from below. The vigorously growing new hymenium pushes the old one laterally, which is compressed in between the old exciple wall on the outer side and new hymenium on the inner side, thus converting into a striate labium.
231 In their studies on the "development of ascocarp and cytology of ascus in Phaeographina halei, Patwardhan & Makhija (1997) found labia of the first type in which the labia are thick and lirellae are emergent and depending on the age, the labia develop longitudinal groves on them
Specimens Examined: Sindhudurg District, Amboli, near Holiday Camp, 19.10.1974, C.R. Kulkami, 74.1445, 74.1637, 74.1638, 74.1639; AmboH, 8.12.1974; P.G. Patwardhan & C.R. Kulkami, 74.2223, 74.2224; Amboli, 8.12.1974, M.B. Nagarkar & C.R. Kulkami, 74.2263, 74.2266, 74.2272, 74.2273, 74.2275, 74.2283, 74.2285, 74.2299; Amboli, near water station, 8.12.1974, P.G. Patwardhan & C.R. Kulkami, 74.2276, 74.2322, 74.2345, 74.2364, 74.2367, 74.2369, 74.2373; Amboli, 8.12.1974, A.V. Prabhu, Near Govt. Holiday Camp, 74.2339, 74.2340; Amboli, elev. app. 3500 ft, on Eugenia jambolina, Nov. 1976, P.G. Patwardhan & A.V. Prabhu, 76.1222, 76.1224, 76.1227, 76.1228, 76.1229 76.1232; AmboH, 28.9.1976, P.G. Patwardhan & U.V. Makhija, 76.1126, 76.1217, 76.1220, 76.1223; AmboU to Sawantwadi Road, 2 km from AmboU, 8.12.1974, 74.2302, 74.2350.
Genus: Porina Miill. Arg. (Trichotheliaceae) F/ora,66:320(1883).
The lichen genus Porina Miill. Arg. is characterized by: thallus cmstose, corticolous, rarely saxicolous, foliicolous, ecorticated or epi or endophloeodal. Photobiont a green alga (Trentepohlia or Phycopeltis). Ascocarps perithecia, singular, dispersed, with colourless or dark, semi-globose to globular and erect, punctiform ostiole, perithecial wall (peridium) not differentiated or distinguished into two walls, an outer wall (involucrellum) black, brown or reddish-brown, and an iimer wall colourless or coloured. Paraphyses simple, free. Asci 6-8-spored, bitunicate. Ascospores colourless, transversely 1 to many septate, elongate, spindle form, fusiform or needle shaped.
The pantropical lichen genus Porina, comprising about 200 species, is widely spread, mainly in the tropical regions of the world (Kirk et al, 2001). 69 species have
232 been enumerated from the Indian subcontinent (Awasthi, 1991, 2000). 8 species of Porina have earlier been reported from Maharashtra (Makhija et al, 1994) and now one species P. innata (Nyl.) Miill. Arg. is reported for the first time from Maharashtra.
Key to the species oi Porina from Maharashtra
1 a. Thallus foliicolous 2
lb. Thallus corticolous 3
2a. Thallus pale grayish-green, smooth; ascomata globose, yellowish; ostioles orange coloured; ascospores 9-11 -transseptate, 40-48 x 2-4 ^m P. multiloculata
2b. Thallus greenish-gray; ascomata 0.2-0.3 mm in diam., globose, surface smooth, not constricted at the base; ostioles black; ascospores 7-9-transseptate, narrow, 37-42 x 3- 4 ^m P. santesonii
3a. Ascospores exceeding 50 ^m in length 4
3b. Ascospores not exceeding 50 |im in length 7
4a. Ascospores less than 10-septate 5
4b. Ascospores more than 10-septate 6
5a. Thallus warty, glossy; ascomata flattened, slightly immersed, 1-3 grouped, 0.3-1 mm in diam.; ostioles black; ascospores fusiform, with acute ends, 6-7-transseptate, 54.6- 75.6x 8.4-16.8 ^m P. subsanctirosae
5b. Thallus rough; ascomata subglobose, solitary, 0.2-0.5 mm in diam.; ostioles black with black periostiole; ascospores broad, ellipsoidal with obtuse ends, 7-8- transseptate, 37.8-63 x 12.6-17 f^m P. atroperiostiola
6a. Thallus cracked, rough; ascomata slightly emergent, 0.5-1 mm in diam.; ostioles pale orange to black; ascospores long, thin, with acute ends, 12-15- transseptate, 54.6-71.4 X 3-4 i^m P. angusta
6b. Thallus rough; ascomata subglobose, 0.4-0.5 mm in diam.; ostioles black; ascospores long, narrow with acute ends, 8-18-transseptate, 63-100 x 4-8 p.m ...P. dolichophora
7a. Ascomata other than black Thallus flaking; ascomata concolorous with the thallus, subglobose, slightly erumpent, 0.3-0.4 mm in diam.; ostioles light orange; ascospores fusiform, with both ends acute, 5-8-transseptate, 42-46.2 x 3-4 fjm P. halei
233 7b. Ascomata with a black top 8
8a. Thallus smooth; ascomata subglobose, 0.5 mm in diam., erumpent; ostioles black; ascospores narrow, fusiform with acute ends, 7-8-transseptate, 30-50 x 5-8 |am P. innata
8b. Thallus smooth to warty; ascomata subglobose, 0.2-1 mm in diam., 2-5 in a group; ostioles black, flat; ascospores narrow, acicular with one end acute and the other end obtuse, 7-8- transseptate, 44-46 x 3-4 |im P. platystoma
Porina angusta Makhija et aU [Fig^ 248] J. Econ. Tax. Bot., 18(3): 530 (1994).
Type: India, Andaman Island, Aerial Bay, North Andaman, on the way to Lamia Bay from Kalipur, 5.1.1986, Patwardhan 86.493 (Holotype-AMH)!.
Thallus crustose, corticolous, green, thick, cracked, continuous, rough, indeterminate, more or less loosely adpressed, epiphloeodal. Ascomata concolorous, with the thallus, numerous, scattered, 0.5-1 mm in diam., slightly emergent, subglobose; ostioles pale orange to blackish, depressed surrounded by a blackish-brown periostiolar rim; involucrellum brown, continuous; orange brown at the top; hymenium inspersed with oil globules; asci 8-sporate. Ascospores long, slender with acute ends, 12-15- transseptate, 54.6-71.4 x 3-4 nm. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present. Habitat: The species has been collected in semi-evergreen forest.
Distribution: India (Andaman Isleinds, Assam, Calicut, Kamataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Meghalaya).
Remarks: According to Makhija et al. (1994) Porina angustata resembles closely to P. praestantior Miill. Arg. in all respects from which it can only be differentiated by its narrow (4 |im broad) ascospores. P. praestantior, has much broader ascospores of the breadth 15-20 (-25) |am. This species is very common in the Western ghats.
234 Specimens Examined: Sindhudurg District, Amboli, 18.10.1974; C. R. Kulkami &. A. V. Prabhu, 74.1489, 74.1491, 74.1493, 74.1517, 74.1519, 74.1526, 74.1530.
Porina atroperiostiola Makhija et al. [Fig" 249] J. Econ. Tax. Bot., 18(3): 530 (1994).
Type: India, Maharashtra, Ratnagiri District, Amboli, 18.10.1974, A.V. Prabhu, 74.1543- (Holotype-AMH)!.
Thallus crustose, corticolous, green, rough, epiphloeodal; hypothallus absent. Ascomata concolorous, subglobose, slightly immersed, 0.2-0.5 mm in diam.; ostioles black with a black periostiolar rim, slightly depressed; involucrellum light brown, continuous; exciple light brown; hymenium inspersed with oil globules; asci 8-sporate. Ascospores fusiform to broadly ellipsoidal, 7-8-transseptate, 37.8-63 x 12.6-17 \im. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: The specimens have been collected from both moist and semi-evergreen forests in shade.
Distribution: India (Kamataka, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu).
Remarks: On account of the ascospore size and number of septa in Porina atroperiostiola closely resembles with P. rudiuscula (Nyl.) Mull. Arg. which, however, shows a minor difference in thallus texture and ascomatal top. P. rudiuscula is characterized by granular thallus and ascomata with light coloured ostioles while P. atro periostiola has rough thallus and ascomata with black ostioles surrounded by a black periostiolar region (Makhija et al. 1994).
Specimens Examined: Pune District, Boma hills, Khandala, 19.9.1974, C.R. Kulkami & A.V. Prabhu, 74.662, 74.665, 74.671. Raigad District, Kamala forest, 28.8.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.498, 74.538, 74.545, 74.564, 74.585, 74.603. Satara District, Lodwick Point, Mahabaleshwar, 28.11.1974, M.B. Nagarkar & A.V. Prabhu, 74.1857, 74.1861, 74.1912. Sindhudurg District, AmboU, 8.12.1974, A.V. Prabhu &
235 M.B. Nagarkar, 74.2288, 74.2291, 74.2388; 18.10.1974, C.R. Kulkarni & A.V. Prabhu, 74.1492, 74.1522, 74.1523, 74.1534, 74.1535, 74.1537, 74.1540, 74.1611, 74.2328, 74.2385; 19.10.1974, C.R. Kulkarni & A.V. Prabhu, 74.1593, 74.1605, 74.1607.
Porina dolichophora (Nyl.) Mull. Arg. [Fig.: 250] Engler Bot. Jahrbuch., 6: 400 (1885). = Verrucaria dolichophora Nyl. Ann. Sci. Nat. Bot., ser. 4, 20: 245 (1863).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, green, rough, epiphloeodal; hypothallus not seen. Ascomata slightly pale to concolorous, subglobose, slightly emergent, not constricted at the base, 0.4-0.5 mm in diam.; ostioles black, surrounded by a black periostiolar rim; involucrellum brown, continuous; exciple light yellow; hymenium inspersed with oil globules; asci 8-sporate. Ascospores hyaline, long, ends acute to acuminate, 8-18- transseptate, 63-100 x 4-8 ^m. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: The specimens have been collected in moist deciduous forest and humidity is very high in this area throughout the year.
Distribution: India (Kamataka and Maharashtra).
Remarks: The ascomata in Porina dolichophora Nyl. have pinkish-yellow exciple and the author has not described the colour of the involucrellum. However, Nylander (1863) while describing this species, compared it with P. nucula Ach., a species from Africa which is characterized by grayish-pink involucrellum.
The specimens at hand, thus have all characters identical to Porina dolichophora but have ascomata with brown coloured involucrellum and yellow coloured exciple and as I have not seen the types of these two species, P. dolichophora and P. nucula, the specimens at hand are provisionally placed in P. dolichophora and not as ein autonomous species.
236 Specimens Examined: Raigad District, Karnala forest, 28.8.1974, A. V. Prabhu & M. B. Nagarkar, 74.425, 74.486, 74.492, 74.600.
Porina innata (Nyl.) Mull. Arg. [Fig.: 251] F/ora, 65:517(1882). = Verrucaria innata Nyl. Expos. Synopt. Pyrenocarp., 39 (1858).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, yellowish-green to grayish-green, cracked, unevenly thick, glossy, sometimes thin, flaking, wrinkled, slightly verruculose, hypothallus distinctly black. Ascomata raised, concolorous with the thallus, black at the tip, mostly solitary, 0.8-1.2 mm in diam.; ostioles mostly flattened to sometimes pointed, black, glossy, central; involucrellum orange-brown; hymenium hyaline, inspersed with numerous crystals and few oil globules, asci 8-sporate, cylindrical. Ascospores hyaline, fusiform-elongate, 5-7(-9)-transseptate, thin walled, 8-9 locules, young spores ellipsoidal, 33-39 X 3-6 ^m. Chemistry: Thallus K+ reddish-yellow, KC-, C-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: The specimens have been collected in almost all the types- dry to moist and semi-evergreen forests and were found associated with Lithothelium obtectum (Mull. Arg.) Aptroot.
Distribution: India (Andaman Islands, Kamataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu) and Ceylon.
Remarks: Porina innata has earlier been reported from Ceylon and from other parts of India, but has now been reported for the first time from Maharashtra. This is the most common species oi Porina in the western ghats of South India.
Specimens Examined: Kolhapur District, Near Panhala Guest House; on the way to Kasal from Sawantwadi, 11.10.2000, K.R. Randive & V.A. Mantri, 00.258, 00.259, on the way to Kumbhi from Gaganbawada, 12.10.2000, B.A. Adawadkar & K.R. Randive,
237 00.341, 00.342, 00.343, 00.356, on the way to Phonda from Radhanagari, 12.10.2000, U.V. Makhija & V.A. Mantri, 00.283, 00.289. Pune District, Malshej ghat, Neemgiri, 9.9.2002, B.C. Behera & U.V. Makhija, 02.35, 13.10.2000, U.V. Makhija & B.C. Behera, 00.471, 00.472. Sindhudurg District, on the way to Amboli from Ajra, 10.10.2000, U.V. Makhija & V.A. Mantri, 00.200, 00.201, 00.220; Amboli, Shirgaonkar Point, 00.222, 00.223.
Porina masonhalei nomen nov. [Fig.: 252] = Porina halei Makhija et al. J. Econ. Tax. Bot., 18(3): 535 (1994) non Tuck et Mont. \n Annals. Sci. Nat. Bot., ser., 8:295(1857).
Type: India, Maharashtra, Bhimashankar, 29.9.1974, A.V. Prabhu & C.R. Kulkami, 74.791-(Holotype-AMH)!.
Thallus crustose, corticolous, green, smooth to rough, loosely adpressed to flaking, epiphloeodal; hypothallus not seen. Ascomata concoiorous with the thallus im mersed to slightly erumpent, subglobose to conical, not constricted at the base, 0.3-0.4 mm in diam.; ostioles very light orange coloured, papillate; periostiolar rim light orange; involucrellum brown covering only the upper part of ascoma; exciple orange-yellow; hymenium not inspersed with oil globules and crystals; asci 8-sporate. Ascospores fusiform with ends acute to subacute, 5-8-transseptate, 42-46 x 3-4 \xm.. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: The specimens have been collected in semi-evergreen to moist deciduous forests in open places.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu).
Remarks: Porina masonhalei was earlier described as Porina halei by Makhija et al. (1994) but this epithet was already used in this genus [Porina halei Tuck. & Mont. - the basionym of Myriotrema halei (Tuck. & Mont.) Hale]. Hence to avoid confusion in future the present species has now been named as Porina masonhalei.
238 Specimens Examined: Pune District, Bhimashankar, 13.11.1971, P.G. Patwardhan, 71.76; 30.9.1974, M.B. Nagarkar, C.R. Kulkarni, 74.843, 74.844, 74.870, 74.910; Boma hills, Khandala, 19.9.1974, A.V. Prabhu, 74.661. Raigad District, Kamala forest, 28.8.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M. B. Nagarkar, 74.503, 74.518, 74.530. Sindhudurg District, Amboli, 18.10.1974, C. R. Kulkarni, 74.1511, 74.1533, 74.1598, 74.1612.
Porina multiloculata Makhija et al. [Fig.: 253] J. Econ. Tax. Bot., 18 (3): 540 (1994).
Type: India, Kamataka, Dharwar District, Londha-Yellapur Road, 11.12.1974, Patwardhan & Kulkarni, 74.3644 (Holotype-AMH)!.
Thallus crustose, foliicolous, pale grayish-green, smooth, continuous to disperse, irregular in outline. Ascomata light yellow to blackish-brown, subglobose, flattened, 0.1-0.5 mm in diam.; ostioles orange coloured; involucrellum light brown; exciple orange-brown; asci 8-sporate. Ascospores narrowly fiisiform, ends acute, 9- 11-transseptate, 40-48 x 2-4 |xm. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: The species has been collected in rain forest.
Distribution: India (Kamataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu).
Remarks: Porina multiloculata belongs to the group P. epiphylla. On account of the multilocular ascospores it comes close to the P. multiseptata which, infact, is no way comparable with the present species because of its pilose thallus and ascomata. Besides, P. multiseptata has 9 to 15-transseptate, much larger (52-82 x 5-7 ^m) ascospores. Commonly occurring species of the Western ghats.
Specimens Examined: Sindhudurg District, Amboli, 8.12.1974, A. V. Prabhu & M. B. Nagarkar, 74.3623, 74.3624.
239 Porina platystoma Mull. Arg. [Fig.: 254] Bull. Herbier Boissier, 3: 326 (1895).
Thallus cnistose, corticolous, brownish-green, smooth to warty, glossy, cracked, epiphloeodal; hypothallus not seen. Ascomata subspherical, numerous, 2-5 grouped in a wart, emergent, 0.2-0.8 mm in diam.; ostioles black, flat; periostiolar rim black; involucrellum brown, continuous, black at the top; exciple light yellow to brown, broader at the base; asci 8-sporate. Ascospores acicular, one end long acute other obtuse, lacunae in each locule, 7-8-transseptate, 44-46 x 3-4 f^m. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: The specimens have been collected in moist, semi-evergreen forest.
Distribution: India (Kamataka and Maharashtra) and Australia.
Remarks: Specimens of Porina platystoma examined here have ascospores with one end obtuse and other acuminate and are rather larger.
Specimens Examined: Kolhapur District, Amba, 16.10.1974, A.V. Prabhu & C.R. Kulkami, 74.1303; 17.10.1974, C.R. Kulkami & A.V. Prabhu, 74.1355, 74.1357, 74.1358, 74.1361; Amba: rest house, 6.12.1974, P.O. Patwardhan & A.V. Prabhu, 74.2184, 74.2228; Vishalgad: Amba-Gajapur Road, C.R. Kulkami, 74.2214. Raigad District, Kamala, 28.8.1974, M.B. Nagarkar & A.V. Prabhu, 74.531, 74.617. Satara District, Mahabaleshwar, Near Arther Seat, 27.11.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.1720; Lodwick Road, 28.11.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.1858, 74.1884, 74.1886. Sindhudurg District, Amboli, 8.12.1974, P.O. Patwardhan & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.2267; 18.10.1974, A.V. Prabhu & C.R. Kulkami, 74.1482, 74.1538; 19.10.1974, A.V. Prabhu & C.R. Kulkami, 74.1608.
Porina santessonii Makhija et al. [Fig-: 255] J. Econ. Tax. Bat., 18(3): 542 (1994). Type: India, Kamataka, Siddhapur forest, 13.12.1974, Nagarkar, 74.3663 (Holotype- AMH)!.
240 Thallus crustose, foliicolous, greenish-gray, smooth, continuous to dispersed, irregular in outline. Ascomata slightly paler than the thallus, globose, slightly constricted at the base, 0.2-0.3 mm in diam.; ostioles black; involucrellum orange-yellow, black near ostiole; exciple yellowish, prosoplectenchymatous; asci 8-sporate. Ascospores narrow, fiisiform with acute ends, 7-9-transseptate, 37-40 x 3-4 |im. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: The specimens have been collected in rain forest.
Distribution: India (Karnataka, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu).
Remarks: Porina santessonii belonging to the group P. epiphylla stands as a distinct species as none of the species of this group have 7-9-transseptate ascospores.
Porina santessonii, is characterized and distinguished by its greenish-gray smooth thallus; paler, more or less constricted ascomata with an orange-yellow involucrellum with a black top; ascomatal wall yellow and 7-9-transseptate, ascospores 37-42 x 4 \im ascospores.
Specimens Examined: Sindhudurg District, Amboli, 8.12.1974, M. B. Nagarkar & P.G. Patwardhan, 74.3621, 74.3622.
Porina subsanctirosae Makhija et al. [Fig" 256] J. Econ. Tax. Bot., 18(3): 543 (1994).
Type: India, Maharashtra, Ratnagiri District, Nerur, 16.3.75, C.R. Kulkami, 75.445 (Holotype- AMH) !.
Thallus crustose, corticolous, greenish-yellow to yellowish-green, slightly glossy, verrucose, epiphloeodal; hypothallus not seen. Ascomata concolorous, with the thallus flattened or immersed, 0.3-1 mm in diam., 2-3 in a group; ostioles black, depressed, surrounded by a black rim; involucrellum light orange-yellow, covering the upper part of ascoma; exciple pale yellow to yellowish-orange; hymenium not inspersed with crystals
241 and oil globules; asci 8-sporate. Ascospores hyaline, ends acute to obtuse, 6- 7-transseptate, 65-76 x 8-17 |im. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substance present.
Habitat: The specimens have been collected from semi-evergreen forests.
Distribution: India (Karnataka and Maharashtra).
Remarks: Porina subsanctirosae is most closely related to the West Indian species P. sanctaerosae Vain., in respect of the thallus, ascomata and the ascospores which, however, are 12-transseptate.
Specimens Examined: Ratnagiri District, Nerur, 16.3.1975, C.R. Kulkarni, 75.445, 75.446, 75.447, 75.448, 75.512. Satara District, Mahabaleshwar, Dhobighat, 9.3.1974, C.R. Kulkarni, 74.79; near old Mahabaleshwar, 27.9.1974, A.V. Prabhu, 74.1683.
Genus: Pyrenula Ach. (Pyrenulaceae) Syn. Meth. Lich,: 125 (1814).
The lichen genus Pyrenula Ach. is characterized by: thallus crustose, epi- or endophloeodal, often with thin black prothallus. Photobiont a green alga {Trentepohilia). Ascocarps perithecioid, simple or with fused walls and/or ostioles solitary or rarely 2-3 confluent, immersed to emergent, covered with thallus or naked in upper part, hemispherical to globose, Ascocarp wall usually completely carbonized, spreading laterally, much thickened laterally and in upper part, usually thinner at base, sometimes basally columellate, ostioles apical, depressed to papillate. Paraphyses simple, rarely branched but not anastomosing, persistent. Asci cylindrico-clavate to clavate, bitunicate, 8-spored. Ascospores brown, distoseptate, ovoid, ellipsoidal to fusiform, thick walled, 1- 5-transseptate to muriform, locules lentiform, triangular, rhomboidal to octagonal.
Pyrenula, comprising 200 species, is a widely distributed genus in tropical to temperate regions of the world (Kirk et al, 2001). The genus Pyrenula has been well
242 studied by Upreti (1998a) and it is represented by 78 species in the Indian subcontinent (Awasthi, 1991,2000).
Three species namely Pyrenula parvinudea (Meyen & Plot.) Aptroot, P. leucostoma Ach. and P. bicarpa Upreti were earlier reported as Anthracothecium denudatum (Nyl.) Mull. Arg., A. libricolum (Fee) Mull. Arg. and Parmentaria andamanica Ajay Singh, respectively, from Maharashtra (Makhija & Patwardhan, 1989; Patwardhan & Makhija, 1980). The present studies have revealed the occurrence of 19 species of the genus Pyrenula from Maharashtra. P. amboliensis and P. albomaculata have been described as new to science. Two new combination have also been proposed namely Pyrenula depressa (Mull. Arg.) comb. nov. and P. lagaenifera (Fee) comb. nov. Six species from India and sixteen species from Maharashtra have been reported for the first time.
In the revisionary studies oi Pyrenula from India (Singh & Upreti, 1987; Upreti, 1998) seven spore types have been distinguished in this genus namely 1) Pyrenula cayennensis-type 2) P. approximans-type 3) P. brunnea-type 4) P. pinguis-type 5) P. camptospora-type 6) P. subducta-Xype and 7) P. mastophora-type based on the number, shape and orientation of lumina in the spore, to classify different species into separate groups.
Of these seven spore types only four spore types namely Pyrenula brunnea- type, P. cayennensis-XypQ, P. mastophora-type and P. pinguis-typc, have been found in the present studies of the genus Pyrenula.
1.) Pyrenula brunnea- type: It has lens-shaped, rarely hemispherical to ± spherical spore chambers and thick wall at both ends. 2.) Pyrenula cayennensis-type: Spores are strongly oval or almost spherical. Middle spore chambers are strongly lens-shaped, rarely almost spherical and the apical ones are usually much smaller, spherical to transversely oriented. Very thin walled at both ends.
243 3.) Pyrenula mastophora-type: Spores are oblong-ellipsoid. Middle spore-chambers ± rhomboid or somewhat rounded and the apical ones are rhomboid or triangular with the base of the triangle facing the spore-end, or sometimes slightly elongate longitudinally, resulting in thick walled spore apices and 4.) Pyrenula pinguis-type: Spores ellipsoidal, the two middle locules vertically elongate.
Key to the species of Pyrenula from Maharashtra
1 a. Ascomata fused to form pseudostromata 2 lb. Ascomata solitary 4
2a. Ostioles apical Thallus distinctly white maculate, ecorticate; pseudostromata black, 0.2-1 mm across, 1-6 (-10) carpic, immersed to slightly raised; ostioles pale yellowish to orange; ascospores ovoid, epapillate, P. mastophora-type, 29.2-46 x 20-22 |im P. albomaculata
2b. Ostioles lateral 3
3a. Thallus indistinctly corticate; pseudostromata black, 2-4 carpous, totally immersed to totally emergent, 1.5-2.2. mm across.; ascomata ostioles of different ascomata in a pseudostromata converging at the centre but remaining separate, each ascomata communating independently with exterior; ascospores muriform, 7-8-transseptate, 1-4 cells in each tier, 23-49.5 x 10-23 ^m P. bicarpa
3b. Thallus corticate; pseudostromata black, 0.1-0.8 (-1) mm in diam., 2-5 (-8) carpic; ascomata opening into a common ostiole; ascospores elongate to oblong, epapillate, P. cayennensis-iypQ, 12-15 x 6-7 ^m P. lagenifera
4a. Ascospores muriform 5
4b. Ascospores transseptate 7
5a. Ascospores not exceeding 20 |xm in length Ascomata 0.1-0.3 mm in diam, black, solitary, immersed to emergent, denudated; ostioles black, punctate; hymenium 1+ wine red; ascospores ellipsoidal, subglobose to ovate, ends obtuse, 10-15 (-20) x 6-10 fim P. parvinuclea
5b. Ascospores exceeding 20 ^m in length 6
244 6a. Thallus corticate; ascomata 0.5-1.3 mm in diam., 2-5 in a group, immersed to completely emergent; ostiol.es black, flattened to depressed, surrounded by a yellowish-white rim; ascospores muriform, with a gelatinous sheath, 45-71 x 21-24 \xm P. depressa
6b. Thallus corticate; indistinctly pseudocyphellate; ascomata 0.2-0.6 mm in diam., black, solitary, immersed to emergent; ostioles, black, covered by a thin thallus; hymenium 1+ wine red; ascospores oblong, ellipsoidal, 33-49 x 13-22 |jm P. leucostoma
7a. Ostioles papillate 8
7b. Ostioles not papillate 11
8a. Ostioles black 9
8b. Ostioles other than black (pale or brown) 10
9a. Ascomata black, 0.5-1 mm in diam., solitary, semi-emergent; ostioles black, sharp; ascospores oblong to ellipsoidal, epapillate, thick walled, P. mastophora-typt, 9-15 x5-6 fjm Pyrenulasp.2
9b. Ascomata black, 0.3-1 mm in diam., semi-emergent; ostioles black, minute, pointed to sometimes with depression; ascospores ovate to ellipsoidal, epapillate, P. cayennensis-type, 18-21 x 6-12 |xm P. glabrescens
10a. Ascomata 0.2-0.5 mm in diam., solitary, semi-emergent to emergent; ostioles pale white, papillate, sometimes surrounded by white rim; ascospores ellipsoidal, papillate P. brunnea-type, 21-24x9-12 fam P. nodulata
10b. Ascomata black, 0.5-1.5 mm in diam., solitary immersed; ostioles brownish, rarely pointed; ascospores oval to ellipsoidal, thick walled, papillate at both ends, P. cayennensis-type, 15-21 x 6-9 [xm P. subacutalis
1 la. Ascospores exceeding 25 ^m in length 12
1 lb. Ascospores not exceeding 25 ^m in length 14
12a. Ostioles other than black Thallus emaculate, corticate; ascomata 0.2-1.3 mm in diam., immersed to emergent, solitary to 2-4 in a group; ostioles pale brown, wide open; ascospores ellipsoidal to elongate, papillate, P. brunnea-type, 33-60 (-75) x 18-24 (-27) \im .. P. amboliensis
12b. Ostioles black 13
245 13a. Thallus corticate; ascomata 0.2-1 mm in diam., solitary, ostioles black; hymenium inspersed with oil globules; ascospores epapillate, P. brunnea-type, 27-56 x 9-16 Hm P. cordatula
13b. Thallus corticate; ascomata 0.2-0.8 mm in diam., black, round to oblong, mostly solitary, emergent, not carbonized at the base; ostiole black; ascospores ellipsoidal to oblong, papillate, P. pinguis-type, 21 -36 x 16-17 ^m P. pinguis
14a. Ostioles other than black 15
14b. Ostioles black 16
15a. Ascomata 0.2-0.8 mm in diam., solitary, emergent; ostioles cream coloured; ascospores oval to ellipsoidal, epapillate, P. brunnea-iype, 9-12 x 3-6 ^m P. cf. brunnea
15b. Ascomata 0.2-1 mm in diam.; ostioles brownish to black, crater like; hymenium sometimes with few crystals; ascospores oval to oblong, ellipsoidal, ends thick walled, epapillate, P. brunnea-type, 18-24 x 9-12 |xm P. fuscoolivacea
16a. Ascospores papillate 17
16b. Ascospores epapillate 18
17a. Ascomata solitary, or 2-3 (-7) in a group, emergent, (0.5-) 1-2 mm in diam.; ostioles black; ascospores ellipsoidal, locules horizontally elongate, cruciform, sometimes connected, papillate at both ends, P. cayennensis-type, 15-21 x 9-12 ^m P. philippina
17b. Ascomata black, 0.5-1.1 mm in diam., solitary emergent; ostiole black; ascospores elliptical, tapering at the ends, with a gelatinous sheath, papillate at both ends, P. cayennensis-type, 21-24.5 x 7-14 |im Pyrenula sp. 1
18a. Ascomata 0.2-0.5 mm in diam., semi-emergent, solitary; ostioles black; ascospores oval to ellipsoidal, locules round to lentiform, central 2 locules are larger than the locules at the ends, epapillate, P. mastophora-type, 21-24.5 x 14-17.5 |am P. cf. mastophoriza
18b. Ascomata black, 0.5-0.8 mm in diam., immersed to emergent, solitary; ostioles black with white rim; ascospores oval to ellipsoidal, epapillate, P. cayennensis-type, 17.5-21 x7-10nm P. scutata
246 Pyrenula albomaculata sp. nov. [Fig" 257]
Type: India, Maharashtra, Sindhudurg District, Amboli, 8.12.1974, P.G. Patwardhan & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.2356 (Holotype- AMH).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, greenish-yellow, smooth to rough, cracked, distinctly white maculate, ecorticate, endophloeodal, nonsorediate, nonisidiate, 90-93 |am thick; hypothallus grayish-black. Pseudostromata black, immersed to slightly emergent, 1 -6 (- 10) carpic, 0.2-1 mm in diam., ascomata conical, laterally spreading, completely carbonized; ostioles pale orange, central pore yellow studded with crystals; hymenium hyaline, sometimes inspersed with crystals, about 300 ^m tall, KI-; paraphyses simple to branched; asci 6-8-sporate, KI-. Ascospores brown, ovoid, 3-transseptate, P. mastophora-type, locules slightly elongate longitudinally, connected to each other, middle septum distinct, central two locules larger than the two locules at the ends, epapillate, 29.2-46 x 20- 22 ^m. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: The specimens of this species have been collected in rain forest.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: Pyrenula albomaculata resembles P. rizalensis Vain, a species from Cascarilla Island, in almost all characters but differs in having a distinctly maculate thallus. P. albomaculata is also comparable to P. maculata (R.C. Harris) R.C. Harris, a North American species, in having maculate thallus but differs in smaller ascospores of 26-29 X 11-13 |im in that species.
Specimens Examined: Sindhudurg District, Amboli, 8.12.1974, P.G. Patwardhan & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.2349, 74.2352.
Pyrenula amboliensis sp. nov. (Fig- 258]
Type: India, Maharashtra, Sindhudurg District, Amboli, 28.9.1976, A.V. Prabhu & U.V. Makhija, 76.1249 (Holotype -AMH).
247 Thallus crustose, corticolous, brownish-yellow, smooth to cracked, thick, distinctly warty, areolate, epiphloeodal, corticate, nonsorediate, nonisidiate, 75-195 |im thick; hypothallus white to gray-black. Ascomata black, immersed to emergent, solitary or 2-4 in a group (not in stroma), 0.2-1.3 mm in diam., completely carbonized; ostioles conspicuous, pale-brown to white, widely open, central, flattened to depressed, sometimes surrounded by a pale yellow rim; hymenium hyaline, 165-195 i^m tall, KI+ blue; paraphyses thin, branched, slender; asci 8-sporate, KI-. Ascospores brown, ellipsoidal to elongate, septa clear, 3-transseptate, 4-locular, P. brunnea-type locules round, 33-60 (-75) x 18-24 (-27) ^im. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: The species has been collected in moist forest only from Amboli, and was found associated with other pyrenolichens.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: The new species Pyrenula amboliensis is similar to P. cuyabensis (Malme) R.C. Harris, from which it differs in having significantly larger ascospores of 33-60 (-75) |im. P. cuyabensis has smaller ascospores of 22-27 x 10-12 |am. This species appears to be restricted to Amboli and the epithet is named after its locality.
Specimens Examined: Sindhudurg District, Amboli, 28.9.1976, A.V. Prabhu & U.V. Makhija, 76.1267, 74.1268; Amboli- Sunset Point, 8.12.1974, M.B. Nagarkar & A.V. Prabhu, 74.2371, 74.2327; 10.10.2000, U.V. Makhija 8c B.A. Adawadkar, 00.234.
Pyrenula bicarpa Upreti [Fig- 259] Feddes Repert., 96: 266 (1985).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, yellowish-green to brown, smooth, scanty, totally endophloeodal, 15-30 [im thick; cortex indistinct; hypothallus distinctly black. Pseudostromata 2-4-carpous, totally immersed to totally emergent, 1.5-2.2 mm in diam.; ascomata black, carbonized, horizontally elongate, 1 mm long and 0.5 mm broad; ostioles
248 of different ascomata in a pseudostromata converging at the centre of stroma but remaining separate, each ascomata communating independently with exterior, black, punctate, surrounded by yellowish rim, situated on a yellowish, slightly elevated, circular disc, highly studded with crystals; paraphyses branched and anastomosed; asci 8-sporate. Ascospores brown, muriform, sometimes ovate, 7-8-transseptate, 1-4 cells in each tier, 23-49.5 X 10-23 ^m. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: The specimens have been collected in moist deciduous forest.
Distribution: India (Andaman Islands and Maharashtra).
Remarks: Pyrenula bicarpa is characterized by 2-4-carpous, totally immersed to totally emergent pseudostromata, ostioles of different ascomata in a pseudostromata converging at the centre of stroma but remaining separate; each ascomata communating independently with exterior, and ascospores muriform, 7-8-transseptate, 1-4 cells in each tier, 23-49.5 X 10-23 ^m.
Pyrenula bicarpa Upreti, was earlier reported as Parmentaria andamanica Ajay Singh, from Maharashtra (Makhija & Patwardhan, 1989).
Specimens Examined: Ratnagiri District, Nerur, 16.3.1975, A.V. Prabhu, 75.497, 75.498, 75.506.
Pyrenula cf. brunnea Fee [Figs-: 54 & 260] Essai Crypt. Ecorc. SuppL, 81 (1837).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, dark brovm to rust brown, smooth to finely cracked, epiphloeodal, without soredia and isidia, 21-33 |am thick; hypothallus distinct black, broad. Ascomata black, mostly solitary, glossy, conical, emergent, carbonized, uniformly scattered all over the thallus, 0.2-0.8 mm in diam.; ostioles central, cream coloured; hymenium hyaline, 90-195 [im tall, KI-; paraphyses simple, thick. Ascospores light brown, to dark reddish-brown, ovate to ellipsoidal, 3-transseptate, 4-locular, P. brunnea-typQ, epapillate, 9-12 x 3-6 ^m.
249 Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: The specimens have been collected in moist deciduous forest.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: Pyrenula brunnea Fee has papillate ostioles and ascospores of 12-17 x 5-7 jam in size. The present species differs from the most close P. brunnea Fee in having epapillate ostioles and slightly smaller ascospores. Since, the type specimen of P. brunnea, has not been examined, this species has been described as a closely related form of P. brunnea.
Specimens Examined: Pune District, Bhimshankar, 29.9.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.789. Ratnagiri District, Nerur, 16.3.1975, A.V. Prabhu, 75.453, 75.459, 75.482, 75.495.
Pyrenula cordatula Zahlbr. [Fig.:261] Ann. Mycol, 14: 45 «& 46, (1916).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, buff to yellowish-green, rough, cracked, epiphloeodal, uneven, corticate, without soredia and isidia, 75-165 jam thick; hypothallus distinct, black. Ascomata black, solitary, rarely grouped, emergent, round to oblong, scattered all over the thallus, 0.2-1 mm in diam., completely carbonized; ostioles black, central, crystals studded; hymenium yellowish-green, inspersed with oil globules, 250- 300 ^m tall, KI-; paraphyses simple; asci 8-sporate, KI-. Ascospores brown, oval to ellipsoidal, 1-3-transseptate, septa distinct, 4-locular, P. brunnea-type, epapillate, 27-56 x 9-16 [im. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: The specimens have been collected in moist forest in the shade on road side.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra) and Japan.
250 Remarks: Pyrenula cordatula, a species from Japan, is characterized by corticate thallus, solitary or rarely grouped ascomata with a central ostiole and ascospores of 27-56 x 9-16 |im size is being reported for the first time from Maharashtra, India.
Specimen Examined: Ratnagiri Disrtict, Nerur, 16.3.1975, A.V. Prabhu, 75.469.
Pyrenula depressa (Miill. Arg.) comb. nov. [Figs.: 56,97 & 262] = Anthracothecium depressum Miill. Arg. F/ora,66:245(1883).
Type: Brazil, Puiggari 362 (Lectotype- G) and 1316 (Syntype-G )!.
Thallus crustose, corticolous, yellowish-green, to orangish, verruculose, sometimes smooth, glossy, cracked, corticated, epiphloeodal, uneven, nonsorediate, nonisidiate, 114-150 |im thick, hypothallus black, distinct. Ascomata black, immersed to completely emergent, conical, round to oblong, solitary to sometimes 2-5 in a group, 0.5- 1.3 mm in diam.; ostioles black to yellowish-white, flattened to depressed, surrounded by a yellowish-white rim; hymenium hyaline, 195-300 |im tall, KI+ blue; paraphyses branched, thin, slender; asci 8-sporate. Ascospores brown, muriform, with gelatinous sheath, 5-7 (-8) transseptate, 1-4-lacunae per tier, 45-71 x 21-24 i^m. Chemistry: Thallus K+ slight yellow, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: The species has been collected from semi-evergreen forest.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra) and Brazil.
Remarks: Pyrenula depressa is characterized by black, immersed to completely emergent, conical, mostly solitary ascomata, ostioles black, flattened to depressed, surrounded by a yellowish-white rim and muriform ascospores with 5-7 (-8) transsepta, 1-4-lacunae per tier, and of 45-71 x 21-24 |am.
On account of the brown muriform ascospores with lentiform locules this species is placed in the genus Pyrenula. It was known only from Brazil and is being reported for the first time from Maharashtra, India.
251 Specimen Examined: Sindhudurg District, Amboli, 8.12.1974, M.B. Nagarkar & P.G. Patwardhan, 74.2357a.
Pyrenulafuscoolivacea Vain. [Fig- 263] I/c/z./«5. PM.,3:339(1918).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, dark olivaceous brown to black, smooth to rough, nonsorediate, nonisidiate, 45-60 ^im thick; hypothallus not seen. Ascomata black, abundant, solitary, conical, emergent, carbonized, scattered all over the thallus, 0.2-1 mm in diam.; ostioles central, clearly visible, brownish to black, crater like; hymenium hyaline, 120-192 ^m tall, KI-, sometimes few crystals are seen in the ostiolar region; asci 8-sporate. Ascospores light brown, oval to oblong, ellipsoidal, ends thick walled, 3- transseptate, P. brunnea-type, sometimes locules at the ends are slightly smaller but more or less equal, epapillate, 18-24 x 9-12 ^m. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: The specimens have been collected in moist deciduous forest.
Distribution: India (Kerala and Maharashtra) and the Philippines.
Remarks: The specimens of this species at hand differ slightly from the typical Pyrenula fuscoolivacea in having emergent, conical ascomata and hymenium inspersed with crystals, whereas P. fuscoolivacea has flat to depressed ascomata and hymenium inspersed with oil globules. The species has been reported for the first time from Maharashtra.
Specimens Examined: Kolhapur District, on the way to Kumbhi from Gaganbawada, 10.10.2000, U.V. Makhija, 00.221; 12.10.2000, B.C. Behera & B.A. Adawadkar, 00.340.
Pyrenula glabrescens Vain. [Fig- 264] Ann. Acad. Sci. Fenn., Ser. A, 6(7): 191 (1915).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, yellowish at some places but mostly gray-black, smooth, to slightly rough, finely cracked, epiphloeodal, nonsorediate, nonisidiate,
252 ecorticate, 45-75 urn thick; hypothallus absent. Ascomata black, solitary, glossy, conical, flattened at the base, semi-emergent, round, uniformly scattered all over the thallus, 0.3-1 mm in diam.; ostioles mostly black, rarely a white, central, minute, papillate, pointed to sometimes with a small depression; hymenium hyaline, not inspersed with oil globules 105-150 (im tall, K1-; paraphyses branched, thin, slender; asci 8-sporate, KI-. Ascospores light brown, ovate to ellipsoidal, 3-transseptate, P. cayennemis-type, epapillate, 18-21 x 6-12 |im. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: The species has been collected in semi-evergreen forests.
Distribution: India (Kamataka, Kerala, and Maharashtra), Insula antillanae.
Remarks: Pyrenula glabrescens has been reported for the first time from Maharashtra.
Specimens Examined: Pune District, Bhimashankar, 30.9.1974, M.B. Nagarkar & A.V. Prabhu, 74.877, 74.883, 74.886, 74.888, 74.909; Boma hills, Khandala, 19.9.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.655, 74.656, 74.657, 74.658, 74.659, 74.672. Sindhudurg District, Amboli, 8.12.1974, P.G. Patwardhan 8c M.B. Nagarkar, 74.2268, 74.2287, 74.2289, 74.2374.
Pyrenula lagenifera (Fee) comb nov. [Fig.: 265] =Pyrenodium lageniferum Fee Essai Crypt. Ecorc. Officin., 70 (1837). =Pyrenastrum lageniferum (Fee) Miill. Arg. Memoir. Soc. Phys. et. Hist. Nat. Genine, 30(3): 9 (1888).
Type: Ad. Corticem, Cascarilla, St. Domingo, s.n. -G, !.
Thallus crustose, corticolous, yellowish-brown, smooth, cracked, even, epiphloeodal, nonsorediate, nonisidiate, corticate, 24-36 ^m; hypothallus not distinct. Pseudostromata black, 2-5 (-8) carpous, 3-4 mm long and 1-2 mm broad; ascomata conical to flattened, oblong, laterally spreading, 0.1-0.8 (-1) mm in diam.; converging and opening into a common ostiole; hymenium hyaline, not inspersed with oil globules.
253 150-180 ^m tall, KI-; paraphyses branched; asci 8-sporate, KI-. Ascospores brown, elongate, epapillate, 3-transseptate, P. cayennensis-Xypt, 12-15 x 6-7 |im. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: It has been collected in semi-evergreen forest.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra), West Indies.
Remarks: The specimens at hand agrees well with the type oiPyrenula lagaenifera in all respects. Pyrenula lagenifera has been reported for the first time from Maharashtra, India.
Specimen Examined: Ratnagiri District, Dabhole ghat, 5.12.1974, M.B. Nagarkar & A.V. Prabhu, 74.2067.
Pyrenula leucostoma Ach. [Fig.: 266] Syn. Meth. Lich.,\2A {\%\A).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, yellowish-green to brownish-yellow, smooth, glossy, endophloeodal, 40-60 \x.m thick, nonsorediate, nonisidiate. Ascomata black, solitary, initially immersed to slightly emergent, hemispherical, carbonized, 0.2-0.6 mm in diam.; ostioles black, central; hymenium hyaline, not inspersed with oil globules, subglobose, 220-320 |im tall, 1+ wine red; asci 8-sporate. Ascospores brown, muriform, oblong, ellipsoidal, with 6-8 rows of 2-3 cells, 33-49 x 13-22 (im. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: This species has been collected in semi-evergreen forest.
Distribution: India (Calcutta, Goa, Kerala and Maharashtra), Canada, Florida, Philippines, South Carolina, Taiwan and USA.
Remarks: This species is a common pantropical species and has earlier been reported as Anthracothecium libricolum (Fee) Miill. Arg. from Maharashtra (Patwardhan & Makhija, 1980).
254 Specimens Examined: Ratnagiri District, Dabhole Ghat, 5.12.1974, P.G. Patwardhan, 74.2121; Ganapati pule, 5.12.1974, P.G. Patwardhan, 74.1994, 74.2122.
Pyrenula cf. mastophoriza (Nyl.) Zahlbr. [Fig.: 267] Cat. Lick Univ., 1: 439 (1922). = Verrucaria mastophoriza Nyl. Bull. Soc. Linn. Normandie, ser. 1, 7: 180 (1873).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, orangish-brown, thick, epiphloeodal, rough, nonsorediate, nonisidiate, 35-38.5 ^im thick; hypothallus not seen. Ascomata black, solitary, more or less conical, semi-emergent, carbonized, scattered all over the thallus, 0.2-0.5 mm in diam.; ostioles black, central; hymenium hyaline, 135-200 ^m tall, KI-; paraphyses branched; asci 8-sporate. Ascospores brown, ovoid to ellipsoidal, epapillate, 3-transseptate, P. mastophora-type locules round to lentiform, central two locules are larger than those at the ends, 21-24.5 x 14-17.5 |xm. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: It has been collected in evergreen forest in shade.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: Although the specimens at hand have ascospores slightly larger in size than the typical Pyrenula mastophoriza which has ascospores of 12-17 x 7-9 |im, they have been provisionally described as closely related form of P. mastophoriza until more material could be studied, so as to describe this as an independent species.
Specimens Examined: Satara District, Arther Seat, 27.11.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.1705; Old Mahabaleshwar, 27.9.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.1689.
Pyrenula nodulata (Stirt.) Zahlbr. [Fig.: 268] Cat. Lick Univ., 1: 447 (1922). = Verrucaria nodulata Stirt.
255 Proc. Roy. Philos. Soc. Glasgow, 13: 192 (1881).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, yellowish-brown, epiphloeodal, verruculose, rough, dull, nonsorediate, nonisidiate, 45-54 ^m thick; hypothallus whitish-gray to black. Ascomata black, glossy, scattered all over the thallus, solitary, conical, semi-emergent to emergent, completely carbonized, 0.2-0.5 mm in diam.; ostioles central, pale white, papillate, sometimes surrounded by white rim; hymenium hyaline, not inspersed with oil globules, 180-225 |im tall, KI+ blue; paraphyses thin, branched; asci 8-sporate, KI+ blue. Ascospores brown, ellipsoidal, epapillate, 3-transseptate, P. brunnea-typQ, 21-24 x 9-12
}im. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: The specimens have been collected in moist deciduous forest and have been found in open forests in association with Diorygma excipuloconvergentum (Graphidaceae).
Distribution: India (Assam and Maharashtra).
Remarks: Pyrenula nodulata is characterized by yellowish-green to brownish thallus, solitary ascomata and ascospores of 16.5-25.4 x 9.9-16.5 |xm. It was earlier known only from its type locality-Assam, and is now being reported for the first time from Maharashtra. P. nodulata is restricted to India.
Specimens Examined: Pune District, Malavali, 26.7.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.144, 74.145, 74.146. Ratnagiri District, Nerur, 16.3.1975, A.V. Prabhu, 75.496; Nivali village, Chiplun-Hatkhamba, 5.12.1974, M.B. Nagarkar & A.V. Prabhu, 74.2124.
Pyrenula parvinuclea (Meyen & Flot.) Aptroot [Fig.: 269] Bibl. Lick, 64: 165(1997). = Verrucaria parvinuclea Meyen & Flot. Nova Acta Leopold Carol., 19: 231 (1843).
256 Thallus crustose, corticolous, grayish-white to gray, smooth, cracked, evanescent, mostly endophloeodal, 18-22 ^m thick. Ascomata black, solitary, sometimes coalescing, conical to sub-globose, more or less immersed to emergent, naked, 0.1-0.3 mm in diam.; ostioles black, punctate, inconspicuous; hymenium hyaline, not inspersed, 110-180 |im tall, 1+ wine red; asci 8-sporate. Ascospores brown, muriform, ellipsoidal, subglobose to ovate, with 3-4 rows of 1-3 globose cells, 10-15(-20) x 6-10 |im. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances detected.
Habitat: This species has been collected in moist shaded places.
Distribution: India (Andaman Islands and Maharashtra), Ceylon, Cuba, the Philippines, New Caledonia and Taiwan.
Remarks: This is a pantropical species and was earlier reported as Anthracothecium denudatum (Nyl.) Mull. Arg. from Maharashtra (Patwardhan & Makhija, 1980). Pyrenula parvinuclea can easily be recognized by its small, naked ascomata and very small, muriform ascospores.
Specimen Examined: Ratnagiri District, Nerur, 16.3.1975, P.O. Patwardhan, 75.480.
Pyrenulaphilippina Vain. [Figs.: 55 & 270] Ann. Acad Sci. Fenn., ser. A, 15(6): 335 (1921).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, yellowish-brown, thick, smooth to rough, sometimes ecorticate, endophloeodal, nonsorediate, nonisidiate, 15-20 i^m thick; hypothallus black. Ascomata black, solitary or sometimes 2-3 (-7) in a group, conical, strongly emergent to flattened, laterally spreading, carbonized, (0.5-) 1-2 mm in diam.; ostiole central; hymenium hyaline, not inspersed, 300-330 ^m tall, KI-; paraphyses simple; asci 8-sporate, KI+ blue. Ascospores light brown, ellipsoidal, 3-transseptate, P. cayennensis-Xypt locules horizontally elongate cruciform, sometimes coimected, papillate at both ends, 15-21 x 9-12 ^m. Chemistry: Thallus K+ light yellow in few specimens, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
257 Habitat: The specimens have been collected in semi-evergreen forest.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra) and the PhiUppines.
Remarks: Pyrenula philippina Vain., a species from the PhiHppines, has now been reported for the first time from India and is characterized by large, conical ascomata, flattened at the base; hymenium not inspersed with oil globules, and ascospores of 15-21 X 9-12 |im, P. cayennensis-type.
Specimens Examined: Pune District, Bhimashankar, 29.9.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.303, 74.781, 74.796, 74.797, 74.802.
Pyrenula pinguis Fee [Figs.: 51 & 271] Essai Crypt. Ecorc, 75 (1824).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, orangish-yellow, smooth, thin, endophloeodal, even, nonsorediate, nonisidiate, corticate, 45-54 \im thick; hypothallus not distinct but slightly grayish. Ascomata black, solitary, conical or round, emergent, uniformly scattered all over the thallus, 0.2-0.8 mm across; ostioles black, central, pointed; hymenium yellowish, not inspersed with oil globules, 104-156 |im tall, KI-; paraphyses thin, slender, profusely branched; asci 8-sporate, KI-. Ascospores brown, ellipsoidal, oblong, 3-transseptate, middle transverse septa distinct, P. pinguis-type, central 2-locules vertically larger, papillate, 21-36 x 16-17 [im. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: The specimen has been collected near Lake.
Distribution: India (Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Kamataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Manipur and Uttar Pradesh), Australia and Sri Lanka.
Remarks: Pyrenula pinguis is characterized by orangish-yellow, corticate, thallus; papillate ascospores with distinct middle transverse septa and central 2-locules larger and 21-36 X 16-17 i^m in size. The species is being reported for the first time from Maharashtra, but it is widely spread in India.
258 Specimen Examined: Bombay District, Tulsi Lake, 1974, J.G. Vaidya, 74.88.
Pyrenula scutata (Stirt.) Zahlbr. [Figs.: 52 4& 272] Cat. Lich Univ., 1: 452 (1922). =Verrucaria scutata Stirt. Proc. Phil. Soc. Glasgow, 13: 192 (1881).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, greenish-gray to light brown, thick, smooth to rough, nonsorediate, nonisidiate, 52.5 |im thick; hypothallus distinct, black. Ascomata black, scattered all over the thallus, solitary, conical, immersed to emergent, carbonized, laterally spreading, 0.5-0.8 mm in diam.; ostioles central, black, with white rim; hymenium hyaline, lacking oil globules, 150-270 \im tall, KI-; asci 8-sporate. Ascospores brown, ovoid, 3-transseptate, P. cayennensis-type locules round to lentiform more or less equal, epapillate, 17.5-21 x 7-10 ^m. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: The species was collected in moist deciduous forests.
Distribution: India (Assam and Maharashtra).
Remarks: The species has been reported for the first time from Maharashtra and was earlier reported from India only from Assam, the type locality.
Specimens Examined: Raigad District, Kamala, Ransai, 27.8.1974, P.G. Patwardhan & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.424, 74.433, 74.434, 74.435a, 74.437, 74.443, 74.457, 74.459, 74.460, 74.466, 74.494, 74.514, 74.517, 74.528, 74.535, 74.550; Kamala, 16.9.2002, U.V. Makhija & B.A. Adawadkar, 02.274.
Pyrenula subacutalis Upreti [Fig.: 273] Feddes Repert., 102: 429 (1991).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, dark, brownish-green, endophloeodal, sometimes finely cracked, glossy, nonsorediate, nonisidiate, 18-30 |j,m thick; hypothallus indistinct.
259 Ascomata black, scattered all over the thallus, solitary or fused, conical, immersed, laterally spreading, carbonized, less than 0.5-1.5 mm in diam.; ostioles brownish, central, pointed; hymenium hyaline, inspersed with oil globules, 225-240 |im tall, KI-; paraphyses simple; asci 8-sporate. Ascospores brown, oval to ellipsoidal, thick walled, 3- transseptate, P. cayennensis-type, papillate at both the ends, 15-27 x 6-12 ^m. Chemistry: Thallus K+ slight yellow, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: This species was collected in moist deciduous forest and was found to be associated with moss.
Distribution: India (Goa, Kamataka, Maharashtra, and Orissa).
Remarks: The specimens studied have all the characters similar to Pyrenula subacutalis except for a slight variation in the size of ascomata. P. subacutalis has ascomata of 0.5- 0.8 mm in diam., whereas the specimens studied have larger, (0.5-1.5 mm in diam.) ascomata. The species has been reported for the first time from Maharashtra.
Specimens Examined: Pune District, Amby valley 23 km ahead of Khandala, 5.8.2003, B.C. Behera & G.S. Chitale, 03.226; Bhimashankar, 29.9.1974, M.B. Nagarkar & C.R. Kulkami, 74.810; 30.9.1974, C.R. Kulkami & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.831. Ratnagiri District, Nivalli village-Chiplun, 5.12.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.2125.
Pyrenula sp. 1 [Fig.: 274]
Thallus crustose, corticolous, grayish-white to brown, endophloeodal, evanescent, smooth to slightly rough, nonsorediate, nonisidiate, 45-60 ^m thick; hypothallus indistinct. Ascomata black, scattered all over the thallus, solitary, close to each other, conical, emergent, laterally spreading, carbonized, 0.5-1.1 mm in diam.; ostioles black, central, flattened to rarely pointed, depressed in the centre; hymenium hyaline, inspersed with oil globules, 105-300 ^m tall, KI-; paraphyses simple to branched at tips; asci not observed. Ascospores brown, elliptical, tapering at the ends, papillate at
260 both ends, thick walled, with gelatinous sheath, 3-transseptate, P. cayennensis-type, 21- 24.5 X 7-14 ^im. Chemistry: Thallus K+ light yellow, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: The specimen has been collected in dry forest.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: The present species is comparable to Pyrenula philippina Vain, in having black ostioles, and papillate, 3-transeptate, P. cayennensis-type ascospores but differs from the latter species in having the presence of a gelatinous sheath.
This species is also comparable to Pyrenula cf mastophoriza (Nyl.) Zahlbr. in the size of ascospores but differs greatly in the type of ascospores, as P. cf mastophoriza has P. mastophoriza-XypQ of ascospore and are epapillate.
Specimens Examined: Nasik District, Trimbakeshwar, Brahmagiri, 26.9.2002, B.A. Adawadkar & G.S. Chitale, 02.212.
Pyrenula sp. 2 [Figs.: 53 & 275]
Thallus crustose, corticolous, olivaceous green, endophloeodal, smooth to rough verruculose, nonsorediate, nonisidiate; hypothallus not seen. Ascomata black, solitary, round to conical, glossy, semi-emergent, laterally spreading, carbonized, 0.5-1 mm in diam.; ostioles black, central, papillate; hymenium hyaline, not inspersed with oil globules and crystals, 150-160 ^m tall, KI-; paraphyses branched; asci 8-sporate. Ascospores brown, oblong to ellipsoidal, tapering at the ends, thick walled, epapillate, 3- transseptate, P. mastophora-iypQ locules appear squarish, 9-15 x 5-6 nm. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: The species has been collected in moist shaded forest.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
261 Remarks: In the present species, though the ascospores are of the Pyrenula mastophora- type, unlike P. cf. mastophoriza (Nyl.) Zahlbr., the ascospores are much smaller. P. cf. mastophoriza has ascospores of 21-24.5 x 14-17.5 ^m.
This species is also comparable to Pyrenula cf. brunnea Fee in the ascospore size but the ascospore in P. cf brunnea are of P. brunnea-type.
Specimens Examined: Pune District, Bhimashankar, 1.10.1974, C.R. Kulkami & A.V. Prabhu, 74.911. Sindhudurg District, on the way to Amboli, 19.10.1974, A.V. Prabhu & C.R. Kulkami, 74.1595.
Genus: Rhizocarpon Ramond in DC (Rhizocarpaceae) Lamp. Apud Lam. et. D.C. Flore Frang., edit. 3., 2: 365 (1805).
The lichen genus Rhizocarpon Ramond is characterized by: thallus crustose, areolate, verrucose or uniform, white, yellow or brown, upper surface with a corticiform gelatinized layer, saxicolous, a black hypothallus usually present. Photobiont a protococcoid green alga. Apothecia black, circular or angular, usually between areoles, lecideine. Hymenium colourless, reddish or greenish, upper part greenish-red to greenish- black. Hypothecium dark. Paraphyses branched, net-like anastomosing, conglutinate, capitate, tips darkened. Asci (1-) 2-8-spored, bitunicate. Mature ascospores brown to blackish-brown, transversely l(-3)-septate or muriform, halonate (with gelatinous epispore).
Rhizocarpon is widely distributed mainly in the temperate regions of the world with about 200 species at the world level (Kirk et al, 2001). 18 species have so far been reported from the Indian subcontinent (Awasthi, 1991, 2000) and three species of this genus have so far been recorded from Maharashtra (Ajay Singh, 1980). Unfortunately this genus is not recollected in the present studies and the material on which the record of earlier known species are based is not available for my study. The characters of the species have been taken from Awasthi (1991) to formulate the key.
262 The genus is included here just to give the information regarding the earHer records of this genus for the future workers with the hope to find this species from this area.
Key to the species of Rhizocarpon from Maharashtra
1 a. Ascospores submuriform to muriform Thallus red-brown to gray, areoles 0.2-0.3 mm wide, angular; apothecia black, up to 0.7 mm in diam.; exciple reddish-black; ascospores with 1-5 transverse and 1-2 vertical septa 24-32 x 11-15 \im, slightly darkened with age R. distinctum
1 b. Ascospores multicelled muriform 2 2a. Thallus white to gray, chinky-areolate; apothecia up to 1 mm in diam.; exciple reddish-brown; ascospores with 3-9 transverse and 1-2 vertical septa, 22-38 x 10-14 l^m R. concentricum
2b. Thallus gray to brown-gray, areolate; apothecia 0.8 mm in diam., immersed; ascospores 22-50 x 9-18 ^m R. obscuratum
Rhizocarpon concentricum (Davies) Beltram Lick Bassan., 187(1858). = Lichen concentricus Davies Trans. Linn. Soc. London 2: 284 (1793).
Rhizocarpon distinctum Th. Fr. Lich. Scandin., 1: 625 (1874).
Rhizocarpon obscuratum (Ach.) Massal. Ricerch. Auton. Lick, 103 (1852). = Lecidea petraea var. obscurata Ach. Lick Univ., 156(1810).
Genus: Sclerophyton Eschw. (Arthoniales unsettled position) Syst. Lick, \A {niA).
The lichen genus Sclerophyton Eschw. is characterized by: thallus crustose, epiphloeoidal or epilithic. Photobiont a green algae (Trentepohlia-like). Ascomata dendroid-elongate,
263 perithecioid to stellate and lirellate, aggregated or not, usually surrounded by thin but slightly elevated, white rim (false thalline margin), rarely apothecioid with true thalline margin. Proper exciple thin, pale to dark brown. Hypothecium pale brown and mearging with medulla or dark brown extending down to medulla. Hymenium hyaline. Paraphysoids richly branched, anastomosing. Asci 8-spored, bitunicate with fissitunicate dehiscence. Endoascus 2-layered, both layers hemiamyloid (KI+ blue), with ± distinguishable ring structure and small ocular chamber. Ascospores oblong-ovoid to elongate-fusiform, hyaline to dark-brown, trans-septate or muriform, constricted at one or more septa, thick-walled, the cells ± lenticular with thickened septa, usually with thick gelatinous sheath.
The genus Sclerophyton is widely spread in the tropical and temperate areas of both the hemispheres with about 8 species known at the world level (Kirk et al, 2001).
Two species namely Sclerophyton elegans Eschw. and S. indicum Makhija & Adaw., have been reported (Makhija & Adawadkar, 2002) from the Indian subcontinent. Recently, 4 species have been discovered from Australia and Solomon Islands by Archer (2003b) namely, S. conspicum A.W. Archer, S. hillii A.W. Archer, S. insularum A.W. Archer, and S. maculatum A.W. Archer. 5". indicum Makhija & Adaw., have earlier reported from Maharashtra. Recently, Sparrius (2004) in his monograph of Enterographa and Sclerophyton have reported 14 species of the genus Sclerophyton.
Sclerophyton indicum Makhija & Adaw. [Figs.: 93, 94 & 276] Lichnologist, 34(4): 349 (2002).
Type: India, Maharashtra, Sindhudurg district, on the way from Amboli to Ajra, in moist deciduous forest, 10 October 2000, U. V. Makhija, 00.167 (Holotype-AMH)!.
Thallus crustose, corticolous, epiphloeodal, whitish to greenish-white, effuse, continuous or finely cracked, hypothallus distinctly black, thin, in section up to 90-165 ^m thick, with colourless crystals in patches often associated with ascomata, ecorticate but with no or indistinct epinecral layer with some scattered hyaline hyphae. Ascomata
264 lirellae short, narrow, radially branched, or dendroid, immersed to slightly raised above, surrounded by thin but slightly elevated and distinct, white rim, 0.25-1.5 (-2) mm long, and 0.1-0.25 mm broad; disc plane, reddish-brown or blackish-brown; proper exciple undifferentiated in upper part, 8.4-12.6 [im thick laterally, pale to dark brown below; hypothecium pale brown to darker brown, unchanged in K; hymenium 50-80 |am tall, KI+ dark blue; asci 8-sporate, bitunicate, 63-100 x 17-21 |im. Ascospores elongate fusiform, with acute ends, 3-septate, very rarely 5-6-septate, constricted at one septa, hyaline when young, with external brown, granular pigmentation when old, 25-34 x 3-4 |jm (with perispore). Pycnidia absent. Chemistry: Thallus and medulla K-, C-, KC-, P+ orange; UV-; psoromic acid present.
Habitat: Small thalli of Sclerophyton indicum were found growing on the smooth bark of a tree trunk where no other species of lichen was found associated with this. This lichen was collected in open, semi-evergreen forest on the way from Amboli to Ajra, which is located in the Sindhudurg district in western ghats in the state of Maharashtra where it gets heavy rains upto 700 cm per year.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: On account of scanty material the species was not made available for its re examination and hence the description is taken from the protologue (Makhija & Adawadkar, 2002). This species appears to be restricted to the type locality only.
Specimen Examined: Sindhudurg District, on the way from Amboli to Ajra, 10.10.2000, U.V. Makhija «& K.R. Randive, 00.165.
Genus: Thelenella Nyl. (Pertusariaceae) Memoir. Soc. Natn. Set Nat. Math. Cherbourg., 3: 193 (1885).
The lichen genus Thelenella Nyl. is characterized by: thallus crustose, corticolous, saxicolous or foliicolous, lacking prothallus. Photobiont a green alga (Trebotvcia-typo). Thallus externally covered by an epinecral layer of fungal tissue. Ascocarps perithecia, singular or grouped, sunken in thallus or verrucae, ostiole erect, dark, peridium globular
265 to conical, brown-black pigmented. Paraphyses branched and anastomosed in upper part, periphyses present near ostiole. Asci bitunicate, not amyloid, 4-6 spored. Ascospores colourless, submuriform to muriform, rarely brownish, thin walled.
The lichen genus Thelenella is a small genus, widely spread in the tropical regions with about 15 species at the world level (Kirk et al, 2001). Recently, four species have been discovered in this genus one species Thelenella melanospora Etayo & Mayrhofer from Spain (Etayo & Mayrhofer, 2003) and three species Thelenella larbalestieri (A.L. Sm.) Coppins & Fryday, T. muscorum var. octospora (Nyl.) Coppins & Fryday and T. vezdae (H. Mayrhofer & Poelt) Coppins & Fryday have been recorded from British Isles (Fryday & Coppins, 2004).
Thelenella luridella (Nyl.) H. Mayrhofer, is the only species of this genus so far recorded from the Indian subcontinent (Awasthi, 1991, 2000). One more species of this genus has been discovered from Maharashtra, which could, probably be a new species.
Thelenella rockii sp. nov. [Fig-: 95, 96 & 277]
Type: India, Maharashtra, Satara District, Mahabaleshwar, near Lingmala waterfall, 15.7.2003, U.V. Makhija & B.C. Behera, 03.97 (Holotype -AMH).
Thallus crustose, saxicolous, when freshly collected dark green but yellowish after preservation, warty, cracked, rough, epiphloeodal, 60-75 i^m thick; hypothallus not seen. Ascomata black, round or conical, emergent, mostly solitary, rarely 2-3 in a group, abundant, scattered all over the thallus, 0.2-0.8 mm in diam., with a dark blackish-brown involucrellum; ostioles central, pointed, with a brownish ostiolar rim, periphyses present near the ostiole; exciple completely carbonized, present at the base, covered by the thallus upto the ostiole; hymenium hyaline, inspersed with oil globules, 160-165 |am tall, KI+ blue; subhymenium light yellow, 12-15 \x.m thick; paraphyses branched, and anastomosed; asci 2-4-sporate. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, 6-8-transseptate and 4-5 (- 6) vertical septa, 18-24 x 6-12 nm, KI + orange to sometimes blue. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
266 Habitat: This species has been collected on lateritic rocks in the shady, moist places near the waterfall, in semi-evergreen forest, at an altitude of about 1372 m.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: The present new species can easily be distinguished from all the known saxicolous species of this genus by the green to yellow thallus, ascomata with dark blackish-brown involucrellum and small ascospores of 18-24 x 6-12 |am. This species comes close to Thelenella weberi H. Mayrh., a species from California which, however, has much larger ascospores of 35-37 x 14-19 |im (Harris, 1995).
Genus: Thelotrema Ach. (Thelotremataceae) Me^/z.I/c/z., 130 (1803).
The lichen genus Thelotrema Ach. is characterized by: thallus crustose, epi- or endophloeodal, corticolous, cortex when present loose to dense, rarely exfoliating, medulla thin or lacking. Photobiont a green alga {Trentepohlia). Apothecia immersed to semi-emergent or emergent, thalline wall incurved, erect to recurved, exciple free or fused, the inner face with short periphysoids, pore often broad and gaping. Asci 1-8- spored, unitunicate. Ascospores colourless or brown, transversely septate or muriform, 1+ blue or I-.
Thelotrema is a widely distributed genus in the tropical regions of the world, with about 100 species known at the world level (Kirk et al., 2001). Kompsch et al., (2002), recently, have discovered four species from SE Asia (Thailand and Malyasia) namely T. laemense Homchantara & Coppins, T. mongkolsukii Homchantara & Coppins, T. phliuense Homchantara & Coppins and T rhododiscum Homchantara & Coppins. 63 species have so far been recorded from the Indian subcontinent (Awasthi, 1991, 2000).
Thelotrema annulatum Mull. Arg., T laceratulum Mull. Arg., T. masonhalei Patw. & C.R. Kulkami, T. poeltii Patw. & C.R. Kulkami, and T. subtile Tuck., are the
267 five species, that were reported earlier from Maharashtra (Schubert & Klement, 1966; Patwardhan & Kulkami, 1977a; Nagarkar et al, 1985, 1988).
In the present studies five species of Thelotrema have been reported from Maharashtra. T. masonhalei Patw. & C.R. Kulkami has now been transferred to the genus Ocellularia on restudying the type material in AMH.
Key to the species of Thelotrema from Maharashtra
1 a. Ascospores transversely septate 2
1 b. Ascospores muriform 4
2a. Ascospores brown Apothecia 0.2-0.6 mm in diam.; thalline margin smooth; exciple rarely cracked, reddish-brown to dark brown, free, thin; ascospores 14-16-transseptate, 40-60 x 12-14 |im; no lichen substances present T. lacteum
2b. Ascospores hyaline 3
3a. Apothecia 0.2-0.8 mm in diam., lacerate; disc whifish; thalline margin paler than the thallus, lacetate or whitish, exciple whitish at upper part and exposed; ascospores 17- 23-transseptate, vertically 3-5-septate, 90-120 x 25-30 ^m; no lichen substances present T. laceratulum
3b. Apothecia 0.2-0.5 mm in diam., lepadinioid; disc white pruinose; thalline margin sometimes cracked, exciple free at the tips; ascospores 5-6-transseptate, 21-30 x 9-11 ^m, 1+ blue; no lichen substances present T. subtile
4a. Apothecia emergent, 0.5-0.8 mm in diam.; pore depressed; disc brownish; exciple reddish-brown, fused; asci 8-sporate; ascospores hyaline, muriform, 3-4-transseptate, 1-2-vertical septa, cells circular, 12-14 x 6-9 ^im, 1+ blue; psoromic acid present T. piluliferum
4b. Apothecia immersed, 0.2-0.8 mm in diam.; thalline exciple lacerate, raised; disc whitish; exciple thin, pale brown, fi-ee at tips; asci 1-sporate; ascospores hyaline, muriform, oblong-ellipsoid, 12-15-transseptate, 5-9-vertical septa, 40-93 x 15-24 \x.m, I-; no lichen substances present T. poeltii
Thelotrema annulatum Miill. Arg. J. Linn. Soc. London, Bot.,30: 453 (1895).
268 Thelotrema annulatum Miill. Arg. was earlier reported from Maharashtra by Schubert and Klement (1966), but the specimens on which the species was based is not available for the study. Distribution: India (Maharashtra), Brazil.
Thelotrema laceratulum Miill. Arg. [Fig.: 278] F/ora,70:399(1887).
Thallus greenish, glaucous to citrine, smooth, thick, epiphloeodal, nonsorediate, nonisidiate; hypothallus present. Apothecia concolorous with the thallus, numerous, crowded, semi-emergent, ecolumellate, lepadinioid, pore moderately open, 0.2-0.8 mm in diam.; disc whitish; thalline margin paler than the thallus, or whitish, lacerate with 2-5 torn lips; proper exciple fused, whitish at upper part and exposed due to lacerate thalline margin, non carbonized; asci 8-sporate. Ascospores muriform, oblong ellipsoidal to broadly fusiform, 17-23-transseptate, 3-5-vertically septate, 90-120 x 25-30 ^m. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: Thelotrema laceratulum has been collected in almost all forest types.
Distribution: India (Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu) and Australia.
Remarks: Thelotrema laceratulum, a species similar to T. lepadinum Ach. in all characters except the lacerate margin, is one of the most common species in Thelotremataceae, occurring at lower elevations in the Western ghats of India while T. lepadinum is found only in Nilgiris and Palni hills at higher elevations (above 1,900 m).
Specimens Examined: Kolhapur District, Amba, 16.10.1974, P.G. Patwardhan & U.V. Makhija, 74.1308, 74.1309, 74.1310, 74.1312, 74.1316, 74.1317, 74.1319, 74.1320, 74.1371, 74.1373, 74.1374; 17.10.1974, A.V. Prabhu & C.R. Kulkami, 74.1373; Amba, near rest house, 6.12.1974, A.V. Prabhu «& M.B. Nagarkar, 74.2209; Vishalgad, Amba- Gajapur Road, M.B. Nagarkar & P.G. Patwardhan, 74.2195. Pune District, Bhimashankar, 30.9.1974, C.R. Kulkami & A.V. Prabhu, 74.896; Mulshi Dam, 7.10.2003, B.C. Behera & A.A. Sonone, 03.469. Ratnagiri District, Dabhole ghat,
269 9.12.1974, P.G. Patwardhan & U.V. Makhija, 74.2004, 74.2005; Warandha: Bhor-Mahad Road, 4.12.1974, C.R. Kulkami, 74.1948. Satara District, Mahabaleshwar, 27.11.1974, M.B. Nagarkar, 74.1802, 74.1803, 74.1805, 74.1806, 74.1808, 74.1809, 74.1810, 74.1812, 74.1816, 74.1818, 74.1819; near Wheat Rust Research Station, 9.3.1974, 74.57; Mahabaleshwar, near glass house, 28.11.1985, M.B. Nagarkar & P.G. Patwardhan, 85.1846; Lingmala, 15.7.2003, U.V. Makhija & G.S. Chitale, 03.82. Sindhudurg District, Amboli, 8.12.1974, M.B. Nagarkar & A.V. Prabhu, 74.2293; 5 km from Amboli, on the way to Sawantwadi Road, P.G. Patwardhan & A.V. Prabhu, 74.2305, 74.2336, 74.2400; 8 km from Amboli-Sawantwadi Road, P.G. Patwardhan & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.2295; Amboli, near Govt. Holiday Camp, 8.12.1974, P.G. Patwardhan & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.2314; C.R. Kulkami, 74.2361; Amboli, Sunset Point, 8.12.1974, C.R. Kulkami, 74.2348; 18.10.1974, P.G. Patwardhan & U.V. Makhija, 74.1446, 74.1447; A.V. Prabhu & C.R. Kulkami, 74.1447, 74.1450, 74.1453, 74.1457, 74.1458, 74.1460, 74.1463, 74.1465, 74.1467, 74.1473, 74.1478, 74.1484, 74.1481, 74.1446, 74.1466, 74.1468, 74.1470, 74.1471, 74.1475; 19.10.1974, A.V. Prabhu & C.R. Kulkami, 74.1618, 74.1619, 74.1623, 74.1624, 74.1625; AmboH, 14.1.1975, P.G. Patwardhan & C.R. Kulkami, 75.552, 75.553, 75.554; Amboli, 28.9.1976, P.G. Patwardhan & U.V. Makhija, 76.1238, 76.1239; Amboli, 2.1.1998, P.G. Patwardhan, 98.81.
Thelotrema lacteum Kremp. in Nyl. [Figs.: 24 & 279] Flora, Jena, 47: 269 (1864).
Thallus cmstose, corticolous, whitish to dull yellow, rugulose, smooth; nonsorediate, nonisidiate; hypothallus distinctly black. Apothecia concolorous with the thallus, abundant, semi-emergent, solitary, 0.2-0.6 mm in diam.; disc white pminose, wide open; thalline margin smooth; exciple rarely cracked, reddish-brown to dark brown, free at tips, thin; periphysoids present; hymenium hyaline, 105-120 [im tall, KI-; asci 8- sporate. Ascospores brown, 14-16-transseptate, 40-60 x 12-14 \im, I-. Chemistry: Thallus K-, KC-, C-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
270 Habitat: Thelotrema lacteum, a pantropical species, has been collected in semi-evergreen forest in Maharashtra.
Distribution: India (Assam and Maharashtra), Australia, Central America, Hawaii, Japan, Kenya, Mozambique, New Caledonia, New Guinea, Polynesia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, United States and West Indies.
Remarks: This is a pantropical species and found at lower elevations in secondary forests. In India, it was earlier known only from Assam, and is now being reported for the first time from Maharashtra.
The specimens mentioned below were earlier reported as Phaeotrema disciforme (Leight.) Hale from Maharashtra by Patwardhan & Kulkami (1977a). The critical examination of these specimens revealed the presence of periphsoids and hence they are placed in Thelotrema lacteum.
Specimens Examined: Raigad District, Kamala, 28.8.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.527, 74.546a, 74.553, 74.562, 74.582, 74.584, 74.599; 7.8.1974, P.G. Patwardhan & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.432. Ratnagiri District, Nivali village: Chiplun- Hatkhamba Road, 5.12.1974, C.R. Kulkami, 74.2102, 74.2148; Dabhole Ghat, Ratnagiri- Kolhapur Road, 5.12.1974, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.1995.
Thelotrema piluliferunt Tuck. [Fig- 280] Proc. Am. Acad. Arts andSci., 7: 227 (1868).
Thallus crustose, corticolous, yellowish, thick, rough, deeply cracked; hypothallus not seen. Apothecia concolorous with the thallus, emergent, solitary or 2-6 in a group, 0.5-0.8 mm in diam., not chroodiscoid, pore less than 0.2 mm in diam.; pore depressed, central; disc brownish; central pore brown, flat; thalline exciple reddish- brown, non carbonized, fused; periphysoids present; hymenium hyaline, 30-40 ^m tall, KI+ blue; asci 8-sporate, 12-35 x 6-9 ^m. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, cells ± circular, 3-4-transseptate, vertically 1-2 septate, 12-14x6-9 |am, 1+ blue.
271 Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow, KC-, C-, P+ yellow; UV-; psoromic acid present.
Habitat: Thelotrema piluliferum has been collected in semi-evergreen forest.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra), Hawaii, Sabah and Sri Lanka.
Remarlcs: The specimens of Thelotrema piluliferum at hand have slightly smaller ascospores (12-14 x 6-9 |xm) than the typical T. piluliferum. T. piluliferum has slightly larger ascospores (24-28 x 8-12 \xm). However, as the material at hand is scanty to study the variations the specimens have been kept provisionally under T. piluliferum in the present treatment. This species has been reported for the first time from Maharashtra.
Specimens Examined: Ratnagiri District, Nerur, 16.3.1975, A.V. Prabhu, 75.474, 75.485.
Thelotrema poeltii Patw. & C.R. Kulkami [Fig.: 2811 Norw.J. Bot.,14: 130(1977). Type: Maharashtra, Amba, near Govt. Rest House, A.V. Prabhu & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.2159 (Holotype-AMH)!.
Thallus crustose, corticolous, greenish-gray, rough, finely cracked, nonsorediate, nonisidiate, hypophloeodal, evanescent, 30-50 |im thick; hypothallus distinctly black. Apothecia concolorous with the thallus, solitary, immersed; thalline margin lacerate, raised, 0.2-0.8 mm in diam., ecolumellate; pore wide open; disc whitish; proper exciple thin, pale brown, free at tips, non carbonized; periphysoids present; hymenium hyaline, inspersed with crystals, 45-57 |im tall; asci 1-sporate. Ascospores hyaline, muriform, oblong-ellipsoid, 12-15-transseptate, vertically-5-9 septate, 40-93 x 15-24 |am, I-. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: Thelotrema poeltii has been collected in moist deciduous forest.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: According to Patwardhan & Kulkami (1977c) Thelotrema poelti is distinct from all other species of this genus without P+ compounds and columella. T laceratulum
111 Mull. Arg., a species lacking lichen substances, has partially emergent, lepadinioid apothecia and larger ascospores, T. tuberculiferum Vain., another ecolumellate species lacking lichen substances and occurring in the southern part of Western Ghats (in Kerala state), has strongly emergent apothecia and larger (150-230 |am) ascospores.
This species was described from Maharashtra by Patwardhan & Kulkarni (1977c) and has not been recollected in the present expedition.
Specimens Examined: Kolhapur District, Amba, 6.12.1974, P.G. Patwardhan & U.V. Makhija, 74.2159, 74.2191, 74.2201, 74.2213, 74.2219. Pune District, Ransai, Kamala, 28.7.1974, P.G. Patwardhan & M.B. Nagarkar, 74.411, 74.419.
Thelotrema subtile Tuck. [Fig- 282] Amer. J. Arts & Sci, ser. 2, 25: 426 (1858). = Ocellularia subtilis (Tuck.) Riddle Mycologia, \5:19 {\922>).
Thallus dull, olivaceous, rough to indistinctly warty, nonsorediate, nonisidiate; hypothallus black. Apothecia concolorous with the thallus, numerous, crowded, immersed to slightly emergent, 0.2-0.5 mm in diam., lepadinioid, ecolumellate, thalline margin concolorous with the thallus, erect, sometimes cracked; disc white pruinose, moderately open; exciple fused and free at tips; periphysoids present; hymenium hyaline, 30-45 |im tall, KI+ blue; asci 8-sporate. Ascospores hyaline, 4-6-transseptate, 5-7- loculate, lenticular, 21-30 x 9-11 |im, 1+ blue. Chemistry: Thallus K-, KC-, C-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: Thelotrema subtile has been collected on the trees in shade in evergreen forests.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra), Australia, Canada, Hawaiian Islands, Ireland, Japan, Java, New Cladonia, New Zealand, North Carolina, the Philippines, Scotland, Sweden and U.S.A.
273 Remarks: The specimens from Maharashtra have less emergent apothecia and have cracked rim unUke typical Ocellularia subtilis, but anatomical and chemical characters warrant their placement in O. subtilis. O. subtilis is comparable to O. terebrans (Nyl.) Zahlbr., another species from India, in respect of lepadinoid apothecia and ascospore size but O. terebrans has stictic acid.
This species was earlier reported as Ocellularia cf. subtilis Tuck. (Patwardhan & Kulkami, 1977a;Nagarkar e/a/., 1988) from Maharashtra.
Specimens Examined: Kolhapur District, Amba, 8.12.1974, C.R. Kulkami, 74.1311, 74.1375. Sindhudurg District, AmboU, 8.12.1974, C.R. Kulkami, 74.1448, 74.1449, 74. 2284.
Genus: Trichotrema Clem. (Uncertain position in Pyrenulaceae) The Genera of Fungi, 41 (1909).
The lichen genus Trichotrema Clem, is characterized by: thallus cmstose, corticolous, epi-or-endophloeodal. Photobiont a green alga (Trentepohlia). Ascocarps perithecia, singular or usually confluent, partially covered by thallus, with lateral, long ostiolar canal, peridium black with involucrellum. Paraphyses branched and anastomosing. Asci 8-sporate. Ascospores colourless, acicular to filiform, transversely many septate.
Trichotrema Clem, is known by five species at the world leval. T. filisporum (Patw. et al.) Makhija & Patw. is the only species of this genus recorded fi-om Maharashtra and to India. (Makhija & Patwardhan, 1990).
Trichotrema filisporum (Patw. et al.) Makhija & Patw. [Fig- 283] Biovigyanam, 16(1): 25 (1990). = Pleurotrema filispora Patw., Makhija & D. Rane Curr. Sci., 49(23): 917-918 (1980).
274 Type: India, Kamataka, Peercode, near Hirriadka, Udipi-Aagumbe Road, in rain forest, elev. ca. 200 m leg. P.G. Patwardhan & M.B. Nagarkar, 27.1.1980, 80.210 (Holotype- AMH)!. Thallus crustose, corticolous, smooth, pale gray; hypothallus indistinct. Ascomata dark brown to black, solitary, emergent, scattered, horizantally elongate, up to 1.5 mm long and 0.3 mm broad, ascomatal wall non carbonized at the base; hymenium inspersed, ostioles blackish-brown, obliquely oriented at the end of long narrow neck; asci 8-sporate. Ascospores filiform, transversely multi-septate, large, 189-404.2 x 1.5 |am. Chemisrty: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: The species was collected from moist deciduous forest as well as the semi- evergreen forest.
Distribution: India (Karnataka and Maharashtra).
Remarks: The authors (Makhija & Patwardhan, 1990), who have studied this group in detail, while describing Trichotrema filisporum stated that this species has an isolated position in the genus Trichotrema in having largest ascospores reaching a length of 446 |am. Trichotrema trichosporum (Mull. Arg.) Clem, resembles closely T filisporum in respect of the morphology of the thallus and the ascomata.
Specimens Examined: Raigad District, Karnala, 28.8.1974, V.D. Vartak, 74.511. Ratnagiri District, Ganapati Pule, 5.12.1974, A.V. Prabhu, 74.2123; Nivali Village: Chiplun-Hatkhamba Road, 74.2150. Sindhudurg District, Ajra-Amboli road, 7.12.1974, P.G. Patwardhan & C.R. Kulkami, 74.2238, 74.2245; AmboH, 18.10.1974, C.R. Kulkarni & A.V. Prabhu, 74.1508, 74.1509.
Genus: Trypethelium Spreng. (Trypetheliaceae) Aneleitung Kenntn, 3: 350 (1804).
The lichen genus Trypethelium Spreng. is characterized by: thallus crustose, epi- or endophloeodal. Photobiont a green alga (Jrentepohilia). Ascocarps perithecia, embedded
275 in pseudostroma, pseudostromata grayish-white, yellow, reddish, brown-black to black, 1 -2-many-carpous, peridium dark to black with an upright ostiole. Paraphyses branched and anastomosed. Asci 8-sporate, bitunicate, cylindrical-clavate. Ascospores colourless, transversely 3-many septate, elongate-fusiform, cells lentiform.
The lichen genus Trypethelium is known to have about 100 species at the world level (Kirk et al, 2001). It is widely distributed mainly in the tropical regions of the world and is known by 37 species in the Indian subcontinent (Awasthi, 1991, 2000). Three species have been reported from Maharashtra (Makhija & Patwardhan, 1993).
Key to the species of Trypethelium from Maharashtra
la. Ascospores not exceeding 30 |im in length Thallus yellow to brownish-yellow, verrucose; ostioles black, punctate with a small pit; ascospores fusiform, or ovate, 4-locular, cell lumen subglobose, 14.5-23 x 6-8.4 ^im T. tropicum
lb. Ascospores exceeding 30 f^m in length 2 2a. Thallus dirty yellowish-brown; ostioles black, punctate;pseudostromata T. eluteriae-typc; ascospores ellipsoidal, oblong, transversely 5-11-transseptate, cell lumen angular, cubical, 1-2 vertical septa, 35.2-46.2 x 8-11 |im T. eluteriae
2b. Thallus greenish-yellow to olivaceous, distinctly verrucose, folded and cracked; pseudostromata T. annulare-type; ostioles black, punctuate; ascospores 9-16- transseptate, ellipsoidal, oblong, 33.6-58.8 x 9-16.8|am T. plicato-rimosum
Trypethelium eluteriae Spreng. [Fig.: 30, 57 & 284] Anleitung. Kenntn. Gewdche, 3: 351 (1804).
Thallus light dirty yellowish-brown, ± smooth, corticate; medulla white. Pseudostromata concolorous with the thallus, darker brown or brownish-yellow, raised, constricted at the base, more or less rounded to irregular, pruinose; ascomata are surrounded by a yellow to orange zone formed of fungal hyphae, bark cells and laid with the crystals of the same colour, K+ purple and the cortical layer can be observed below the pseudostromata throughout its length; wall often striate at the apical region near the ostioles; ostioles black, punctuate; asci 8-sporate. Ascospores hyaline, ellipsoidal,
276 oblong, 5-11-transseptate, cell lumen angular, cubical, sometimes 1 or 2-vertical septa can also be observed, 35.2-46.2 x 8-11 |im. Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substance are present.
Habitat: Only few small patches of this species have been collected in semi-evergreen forest on the way to Kasal on the road side trees.
Distribution: India (Andaman Islands, Assam, Kamataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tamil Nadu), Brazil, Canada, China, Cuba, Java, Philippines and Vietnam.
Remarks: In Trypethelium eluteriae the ascomata are surrounded by a yellow to orange zone formed of fungal hyphae, bark cells and laid with the crystals of the same colour, K+ purple and the cortical layer can be observed below the pseudostromata throughout its length.
Trypethelium eluteriae is one of the most widely distributed species of Trypethelium in India. It has been recollected after a period of 25 years in the year 2000. This species was earlier reported from Maharashtra. (Makhija & Patwardhan, 1993).
Specimens Examined: Ratnagiri District, Nerur, 16.3.1975, A.V. Prabhu, 75.437, 75.461, 75.493; Dabhole ghat, Ratnagiri-Kolhapur road, 5.12.1974, M.B. Nagarkar, 74.1999. Sindhudurg District, on the way to Kasal from Sawantwadi, 11.10.2000, U.V. Makhija & B.C. Behera, 00.251.
Trypethelium pHcato-rimosum Makhija & Patw. [Fig- 31 & 285] J. Hattori Bot. Lab., 73: 205 (1993). Type: India, Maharashtra, Amboli, 14.1.1975, P.O. Patwardhan & A.V. Prabhu 75.528 (Holotype-AMH) !.
Thallus greenish-yellow to olivaceous, distinctly verrucose, folded and cracked; corticate yellow to hyaline. Pseudostromata dark reddish-brown, blackish-brown to black, embedded in the space between the verrucae of the thallus, polycarpic, flattened at
277 the top, irregular, 0.8-6 mm long and 1-3 mm broad; structure of the pseudostromata is of the T. annulare type, where the tissues of the pseudostromatal formations are identical with those of the thallus but the cortical zone on reaching the ascomata in a pseudostromatal formation folds itself closely or loosely along the ascomata and reaches the base of ascomata, may or may not be completely encircling the ascomata, contents K+ dark red. Ascomata carbonized, conical, subspherical, often partially divided; ostioles black, punctate, surrounded by an orbicular, flattened, black periostiolar region, separated by a deep cleavage from the surrounding tissue; asci 8-sporate. Ascospores hyaline, ellipsoidal, oblong, 9-16-transseptate, 33.6-58.8 x 9-16.8 ^m. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow to orange, C-, KC-, P-, UV-; no lichen substance present.
Habitat: Trypethelium plicato-rimosum was collected in semi-evergreen forest.
Distribution: India (Maharashtra).
Remarks: This species appears to be apparently endemic to India and restricted to Maharashtra. This species has not been found in recent explorations.
Specimens Examined: Sindhudurg District, Amboh, 14.1.1975, P.G. Patwardhan «fe A.V. Prabhu, 75.527, 75.528.
Trypethelium tropicum (Ach.) Miill. Arg. [Fig.: 32 & 286] Bot. Jahrb. Syst., 6: 393 (1885). = Verrucaria tropica Ach. Lick f/wv., 278 (1810).
Thallus yellow to brownish-yellow, verrucose, black hypothalloidal region at the periphery; cortictae light yellow to hyaline; medulla white. Pseudostromata black, subglobose, monocarpic or polycarpic, irregularly spread, with almost always emergent ascomata; structure of the pseudostroma is typical, where all the ascomata of pseudostromal formations are exposed at the top, and the aggregated ascomata are united merely by coalesced ascomatal walls and the three thalline layers stop short of pseudostromal formation. Ascomata carbonized, entire, exposed at the top, emergent;
278 ostioles black, punctate with a small pit; periostiolar region black, sometimes surrounded by a white rim; asci 8-sporate. Ascospores fusiform or ovate, 4-locular, cell lumen subglobose, 14.5-23 x 6-8.4 [im. Chemistry: Thallus K+ yellow to orange, C-, KC-, P-; UV-; no lichen substances present.
Habitat: The species has been collected in moist forest in open places.
Distribution: India (Andaman Islands, Assam, Kamataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu), Australia, Brazil, Canada, Ceylon, China, Cuba, Florida, Java, Malacca, Singapore and Vietnam.
Remarks: Trypethelium tropicum is a one of the most common species of this genus having wide distribution. However, this is known by only a few collection from Maharashtra. This species was earlier reported from Maharashtra (Makhija «& Patwardhan, 1993).
Specimens Examined: Ratnagiri District, Nerur-Ratnagiri, 16.3.1975, A.V. Prabhu, 75.438, 75.454, 75.459, 75.466, 75.468.
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