Gondwania

Gondwania species are grow on rock, with one exception that is corticolous (growing on bark). They exhibit a variety of growth forms: lobate, somewhat fruticose, or crustose.^[6] The thalli of some species feature pseudocyphellae, which are small pores in the upper cortex that appear as slightly paler spots on the surface. Apothecia (fruiting bodies) in Gondwania are typically lecanorine to zeorine in form, ranging from 0.5 to 6 mm in diameter. The disc colour varies from orange to brownish-orange. The margin is often well-developed and can be pseudocyphellate in some species.^[5]

Microscopically, Gondwania species have asci of the Teloschistes-type, each containing eight spores. The ascospores are polaridiblastic (with two cells divided by a septum) and generally ellipsoid. Spore sizes and septum widths vary among species and can be diagnostic features.^[5]

Species contain lichen products characteristic of chemosyndrome A, with parietin being the dominant anthraquinone (comprising 92–95% of the total). All yellow, orange or reddish-pigmented parts of the lichen turn purple when exposed to potassium hydroxide solution (K+ purple reaction).^[5]

Cerothallis, Austroplaca, and Transdrakea are closely related genera in the Teloschistaceae. Gondwania has a Southern Hemisphere distribution, occurring in Antarctica, southern Australia (particularly Tasmania), New Zealand, and Patagonia, including the Falkland Islands.^[4] This distribution pattern suggests an origin in the ancient Gondwana supercontinent, with subsequent diversification following the breakup of the landmass.^[5]

• Gondwania cribrosa (Hue) Søchting, Frödén & Arup (2013) – Tasmania; New Zealand
• Gondwania inclinans (Stirton) Søchting (2023)^[5] – New Zealand
• Gondwania joannae (Hue) Søchting, Sancho & Arup (2023)^[5] – Antarctica
• Gondwania sejongensis S.Y.Kondr. & Hur (2014)^[7]
• Gondwania sublobulata (Nyl.) S.Y.Kondr., Kärnefelt, Elix, A.Thell, Jung Kim, M.H.Jeong, N.N.Yu, A.S.Kondr. & Hur (2014)^[7] – South America

The proposed taxon Gondwania regalis (Vain.) Søchting, Frödén & Arup (2013) has since been transferred to a different genus and is now known as Polycauliona regalis.^[8]