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Type: Article
Published: 2019-07-11
Page range: 179–188
Abstract views: 20
PDF downloaded: 1

Micarea fennica, a new lignicolous lichen species from Finland

Botany Unit, Finnish Museum of Natural History, P.O. Box 7, FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
Botany Unit, Finnish Museum of Natural History, P.O. Box 7, FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
ITS lichens wood-inhabiting lichens Mcm7 mtSSU taxonomy

Abstract

A new species Micarea fennica is described based on phenotypic and molecular features. The species is characterized by a pale olive green, bright green or greyish green minutely granular thallus composed of goniocysts, and stalked pycnidia that are dark grey to dark brown with Sedifolia-grey pigment in the wall structures (K+ violet, C+ violet), 0.2–0.5(–1) mm tall and covered by a thin white tomentum. The species produces micareic acid. Micarea fennica is similar to M. hedlundii and M. botryoides, but differs by having a paler granular thallus, stalked dark grey to dark brown pycnidia covered by a thin white tomentum and the production of micareic acid. The new species occupies soft lignum of late decay stages and is probably rare.