Spilonema maritimum

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Spilonema maritimum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Class: Lecanoromycetes
Order: Peltigerales
Family: Coccocarpiaceae
Genus: Spilonema
Species:
S. maritimum
Binomial name
Spilonema maritimum
T.Sprib. & Fryday (2020)

Spilonema maritimum is a species of lichen in the family Coccocarpiaceae. Found in Alaska, it was described as a new species in 2020 by lichenologists Toby Spribille and Alan Fryday. The type specimen was collected in Juneau Borough, on the west side of Douglas Island. Here it was found growing on exposed seashore rocks roughly 2 m (6.6 ft) above the high tide line. Its specific epithet maritimum alludes to its close association with maritime rocks.[1]

Description[edit]

The thallus of Spilonema maritimum is made of radiating filaments that form olivaceous brown rosettes measuring 0.5–1.5 cm (0.2–0.6 in) in diameter. Its asci are eight-spored, with dimensions of 30–42 by 10–13 μm. The ascospores are ellipsoid, measuring 7.8–8.9 by 3.6–3.9 μm. The results of standard chemical spot tests are all negative, and thin-layer chromatography confirms the absence of secondary chemicals.[1]

In addition to various locations in Alaska, the lichen has also been recorded from Haida Gwaii and Vancouver Island, British Columbia.[1]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Spribille, Toby; Fryday, Alan M.; Pérez-Ortega, Sergio; Svensson, Måns; Tønsberg, Tor; Ekman, Stefan; Holien, Håkon; Resl, Philipp; Schneider, Kevin; Stabentheiner, Edith; Thüs, Holger; Vondrák, Jan; Sharman, Lewis (2020). "Lichens and associated fungi from Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska". The Lichenologist. 52 (2): 61–181. doi:10.1017/S0024282920000079. hdl:10261/232567.