Astrothelium vulcanum
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| Astrothelium vulcanum | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Ascomycota |
| Class: | Dothideomycetes |
| Order: | Trypetheliales |
| Family: | Trypetheliaceae |
| Genus: | Astrothelium |
| Species: | A. vulcanum |
| Binomial name | |
| Astrothelium vulcanum Aptroot (2016) | |
Astrothelium vulcanum is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling) lichen in the family Trypetheliaceae.[1] Found in Guyana, it was formally described as a new species in 2016 by André Aptroot. The type specimen was collected from the Kuyuwini Landing (Rupununi) at an elevation of 200 m (660 ft); here, in a savannah forest, it was found growing on the smooth bark of trees. The lichen has a smooth, somewhat shiny thallus surrounded by a thin black prothallus, and covering areas up to 25 cm (10 in) in diameter. Its ascospores are spindle-shaped (fusiform) with rounded edges, with three septa and dimensions of 20–25 by 6.5–7.5 μm. Astrothelium vulcanum contains lichexanthone, a lichen product that causes the thallus to fluoresce when lit with a long-wavelength UV light.[2]
Astrothelium infravulcanum, found in Brazil and described as a new species in 2022, was named for its similar appearance to A. vulcanum, but is distinguished by its smaller ascospores, which measure 14–17 by 5–6 μm.[3]