Diorygma microsporum
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| Diorygma microsporum | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Ascomycota |
| Class: | Lecanoromycetes |
| Order: | Graphidales |
| Family: | Graphidaceae |
| Genus: | Diorygma |
| Species: | D. microsporum |
| Binomial name | |
| Diorygma microsporum M.Cáceres & Lücking (2011) | |
Diorygma microsporum is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling) crustose lichen in the family Graphidaceae.[1] It was described as new to science in 2011. It has a neotropical distribution, and has been collected in Florida, Colombia, Brazil, and India. Notable for its small ascospores, this lichen thrives in undisturbed rainforests and serves as an indicator of forest health.
Diorygma microsporum was first described by lichenologists Marcela Cáceres and Robert Lücking as a new species in 2011. The species epithet microsporum highlights its quite small ascospores, which are the smallest known in the genus Diorygma. The type specimen was discovered by the authors in the Charles Darwin Ecological Refuge in Igarassu, Pernambuco, Brazil.[2]
Initially, the newly discovered species was identified as Anomomorpha aggregans due to its small ascospores and norstictic acid chemistry. However, further examination and DNA sequencing of a Florida collection revealed a lack of hymenial inspersion, a key character in Anomomorpha. The morphology of D. microsporum is more reminiscent of species within the genus Diorygma, confirming its placement within the genus and setting it apart from similar species.[2]