Porina albotomentosa
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| Porina albotomentosa | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Ascomycota |
| Class: | Lecanoromycetes |
| Order: | Gyalectales |
| Family: | Porinaceae |
| Genus: | Porina |
| Species: | P. albotomentosa |
| Binomial name | |
| Porina albotomentosa Aptroot (2022) | |
Porina albotomentosa is a rare species of foliicolous (leaf-dwelling) lichen in the genus Porina, described as a new species in 2022.[1] It is identified by its hemispherical perithecia (fruiting bodies) adorned with a white tomentum, and its 3-septate, spindle-shaped ascospores. This species was first discovered on living leaves within a Cerrado forest remnant in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.
Porina albotomentosa was formally described as a new species in 2022 by the Dutch lichenologist André Aptroot. The specific epithet albotomentosa refers to the distinctive white tomentum (short fungal hyphae with a texture similar to velvet) covering its ascomata, an unusual feature that sets it apart from other species within the genus Porina.[2]
Description
The thallus of Porina albotomentosa appears somewhat polished (nitidous) and ochraceous grey, forming patches up to 1 cm in diameter. It is quite thin, lacks a prothallus, and has trentepohlioid algae as its photobiont. The perithecia are notable for their hemispherical shape, constricted base, and nitidous, red-brown colour, measuring 0.2–0.3 mm in diameter and approximately 0.2 mm in height. These perithecia are sessile, not covered by the thallus, and are densely covered by a white tomentum. The species produces 8 ascospores per ascus, which are hyaline (translucent), 3-septate, and spindle-shaped (fusiform), measuring 12–14 by 4–5 μm.[2]
Chemical tests on the thallus of Porina albotomentosa showed no reaction to UV light, nor to common chemical spot tests.[2]